Course curriculum

  1. Before you Begin - For the Facilitator

  2. Welcome and Introduction

  3. Inspiring Stewardship

  4. Inspiring Mercy

  5. Inspiring Justice

  6. Exploring Your Community

  • Free
  • 5 hours of group content

Course Objectives

After taking this course, participants will be able to:

  • Articulate what is means to be a deacon as described in the Bible, our confessions, and in the form for the Ordination of Elders and Deacons in the Christian Reformed Church

  • Relate the work of being a deacon to God's redemptive mission in the world

  • Engage in the practice of discerning the particular way God has gifted your congregation to participate in its community for the purpose of promoting justice and mercy and embodying God's redemptive mission

  • Access resources that will help your deacon team or church explore concrete steps toward a strategic diaconal ministry

What to Expect

  • Welcome and Introduction

    In addition to providing an orientation to the course, in this lesson we will reflect together on biblical and confessional teachings on the role of the deacon in the life of the church.

  • Inspiring Stewardship

    In this lesson, we explore the variety of gifts and resources that God has entrusted to us and how to use them for the flourishing of the creation and all who live in it.

  • Inspiring Mercy

    This lesson explores how we love God and our neighbor through acts of generous sharing, joyful hospitality, and thoughtful care.

  • Inspiring Justice

    In this lesson, we explore the role of the deacons in equipping the church to engage in ministries of reconciliation and advocating for justice.

  • Exploring your Community

    This lesson invites participants to reflect on the gifts already present in the community and how the church can participate with the community in ways that lead the community to around them to flourish.

Want to know how to run Deacon Essentials?

Check out our Facilitator's Guide. It contains all the information you need to prepare yourself and your deacon team for the course.

Facilitator's Guide

Grow together to better serve God and church

Enroll today