Monday, April 25, 2005
Consultations on
diaconal & mercy ministry
Training on the role of the deacon, mercy ministry,
setting limits, Seminars & brain-storming sessions
don’t “re-invent the wheel”
contact: dapple@tenth,org or 215-735-7688x224
http://www.activecompassionphilly.org
Dr. David S. Apple, MercyNet Coordinator (2006-2007)
Director of Mercy Ministries
Tenth Presbyterian Church,
Church Diaconal Ministry,
Professional Social Worker (1970-1974)
Questions deacons normally ask:
1. What must we do as deacons?
2. What is our biblical responsibility in the church and to the community?
3. What is not our responsibility to take care of?
4. Where and what are the available resources to us and for the church to make for appropriate referral to?
5. What ministries do neighboring churches have that we either complement or duplicate?
6. How can we stop feeling like we are "putting out fires all over the place"?
Remember—Don't work harder than the people coming for help.
Usual questions asked/statements made:
1. We are very disorganized at this time and need organization skills.
2. What questions do we need to ask people seeking our help? We often find that we've failed to secure the right information. Along with this, how do we refer cases that are beyond our own expertise?
3. There is the problem of time constraints. We really don't have anyone available in the daytime Monday-Friday.
4. How can we involve others in mercy ministry (or in "our" mercy ministry)? How can we expose and train others when we feel under-trained ourselves?
5. We need help working with unwed mothers. We would like some Titus 2 women to help us.
6. We oversee both mercy ministry and the building. It is difficult to get volunteers to help us.
Usual needs for discussion or action:
1. How to set boundaries/limits (tough love).
2. How can the pastor and elders help set the pace with and for the deacons and the congregation? Ownership by the minister will encourage and motivate members of the congregation to work.
3. Develop (or obtain) a list of local resources or agencies.
4. Develop a plan that will assist the church secretary who, during of the week, receives a variety of requests for help.
5. Develop, with the staff, agreed upon ground rules for ministering to people's needs.
6. Develop a policy for assisting members, regular attenders, and non-attenders.
7. The develop a policy to discern who you will help, who you will not help, and why.
8. Develop a strategy for volunteer training, recruitment, and gift discovery.
9. Develop a strategy for single parent ministry.
10. Develop a strategy for "homeless ministry."
11. Develop a strategy for building maintenance.
