FEATURE

You probably wouldn't have to go far to find a deacon who sometimes feels overloaded. The range of diaconal duties can be overwhelming, even for a seasoned, well-experienced deacon. Why? Well, it may have to do with why he accepted the call in the first place.

For a deacon, it probably started with a need. A need that raised him from his chair and put him into action. Deacons care. Maybe it started with him helping to distribute flyers for Vacation Bible School. Maybe he saw that elderly woman who needed help to her pew. Or maybe he saw the same guy doing "everything" behind the scenes and it caused him to say, "I can probably help." A deacon is one who has a heart for helping where help is needed.

So, who takes care of the local deacon when he is over-taxed, and needs help or advice himself? With the same desire that a deacon has to fulfill a need in his congregation, the men of the OPC Committee on Diaconal Ministries desire to serve the local deacon in the midst of his load.

The OPC diaconate is a group of over 800 men! Imagine the blessing to a deacon if he had someone to pray with or with whom he could share burdens or a quick phone call for advice? Maybe he just needs to be encouraged by someone who knows what he's going through. Some deacons are the lone deacon in a small congregation; others are a member of a large diaconal board. Either way they are a part of a much larger support system—men who are often balancing similar types of loads.

If you are a deacon, you might be saying, "Well, I'm really not feeling that. Praise the Lord, things are kind of low-key right now and I don’t really feel over-burdened." Ok, but what if you could be the load-lifter for another deacon?

With the postponement of the National Diaconal Summit to 2022, the Committee on Diaconal Ministries is offering an online event that won't replace being together in Chicago in June, but just might be the most encouraging Zoom call you have during COVID: fellowship, encouragement, and equipping each other, even if you're miles apart.

Deacons deal with the same questions and the same situations, yet often feel like they are on their own. The CDM wants to connect more of the 800 men more often, and that can't wait until the summer 2022. Strength and encouragement for our deacons can't wait another year until we can meet. 

So, why is the CDM event, "Continuing the Conversation", so important? Deacons need a place to talk. Deacons need a place and a way to support each other. COVID has challenged that. "CtC" is our answer. Join us. We'll talk, pray, encourage and make plans to do that more often and in different ways.

There are already 60 men registered to be on the call. If you are a deacon and have not yet committed to this 90-minute event on June 12th, please do so now. It will take you just two minutes to register. Go to: OPCCDM.org/continuing-the-conversation.

Trish Duggan is the communications coordinator for the Committee for Diaconal Ministries.