DIACONAL MINISTRIES CANADA

Ministry Plan

July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017

www.diaconalministries.com

August 11, 2016

DMC’s Vision, Mission & Values:

a) Vision Statement:

Transforming Communities in Christ

DMC’s vision is anchored in II Corinthians 5:17-20

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: The old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God”. (NIV)

b) Mission (“ENDs” – Policy D):

Diaconal Ministries Canada (DMC) is called by God to support, enable, and encourage Christian Reformed deacons, church members, churches, and partners in Canada to fulfil God’s calling to transform communities in a sustainable way by

· Engaging in God’s transforming work in their neighbourhoods,

· Equipping deacons by instilling vision and by providing skill development and resources,

· Living justly by equipping deacons to mobilize churches to respond to injustices affecting people in their communities

DMC’s ‘ENDS’ are rooted in Ephesians 4:11-13

11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining the fullness of Christ.

c) Values

In this mission, DMC understands prayer, celebration, collaboration, servant leadership, gift-based ministry, holistic ministry and justice to be important values

JULY 1, 2016 – JUNE 30, 2017 Ministry Plan

As Follows:

“ENDS” #1
ENGAGING COMMUNITY / Focus Areas / Staff Goals / Staff Activities / Actual Results
FY 16-17
DMC encourages churches to engage in God’s transforming work in their neighbourhoods.
~
John 1:14
The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighbourhood. / A) Encourage Community Ministry: / 12 churches engage in conversations with DMC staff about Community Opportunity Scan (COS); or similar tool. / Staff with DMDs explore ways churches can engage their communities. (Indicate at what stage of the process the church is at).
Initiate 12 coaching conversations with churches that are engaging in community partnerships (new or existing). / Encourage churches through coaching conversations.
Post COS churches remain engaged in their communities with a possible Operation Manna partnership. / Conduct follow-up conversations with churches that have completed COS since 2010 (one church per month).
B) Operation Manna: / At least 10 churches place inquiries regarding Operation Manna (OM) / Promote OM among churches doing community ministries.
Equipping the OM Committee members to promote OM effectively.
Developing effective and engaging OM Promotional materials
All OM partners receive on-going support and development services. / Conduct follow-up coaching conversations with OM partners on a quarterly basis.
1 justice story is drawn out of each OM Partner annually. / DMC Staff develop tools that will assist in collecting and sharing stories from OM partners.
5 new churches begin to financially support OM through offerings. / Increase promotion of Operation Manna within isolated and non-participating churches.
Operation Manna campaign meets the budget. / The OM campaign is created to stimulate offering revenue.
OM campaign uses are recorded and analyzed.
DMC Staff will explore alternative funding. / DMC staff will research advancement options.
C) CRHM: / DMC and CRHM work collaboratively regionally and classically. / Collaborate with CRHM staff.
“ENDS” #2
EQUIPPING DEACONS / Focus Areas / Staff Goals / Staff Activities / Actual Results
FY 16-17
DMC equips deacons by instilling vision and by providing skill development resources.
~
Ephesians 4:12
To prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. / A) Diaconal Ministry Developer: / DMDs report contact with 100% of their diaconates.
75% of diaconates receive some form of training (equipping) by DMDs. / Staff will equip, encourage, coach and support DMDs as they promote, and use, DMC’s resources.
100% of DMD positions are filled. / Staff will develop strategies for recruitment / identifying new DMDs. (e.g. new and engaging advertisements)
Work of the DMDs is highlighted through stories of equipping deacons. / Gather and share 3 stories.
DMDs are more connected to each other. / More opportunities are provided for networking, storytelling and learning among DMDs. (e.g. social media, conference calls, etc.)
6 diaconates create a mentoring plan. / Staff & DMDs encourage mentoring for new deacons.
B) Deacons: / Deacons access DMC’s resources to
· Broaden the understanding of their calling,
and provide clarity for their ministry
· Develop their ministry skills
· Implement gift-based ministry. / Identify, develop and provide appropriate resources that equip and encourage deacons.
Deacons better understand the spiritual aspects of their role. / DMC Staff promote the use of Deacons Devotions on the DMC website.
DMC Staff commit to holding diaconates up in prayer.
DMC Staff will help the diaconates better understand “Faith-in-Action”.
Deacons are visibly leading and equipping congregations in justice, compassion, stewardship and community ministry. / Cultivate leadership capacity in diaconates.
Staff will develop resources to help deacons function more effectively at the classis and synod.
C) Equipping Events: / Regional events to equip leaders are regularly scheduled throughout Canada. / Support events that equip leaders for ministry with helpful resources.
(e.g. DOE, DMD Gatherings, etc.)
Deacons and other leaders in the CRC become aware of the transforming value of diaconal ministry. / DMC staff will encourage board and/or DMDs to attend meetings of classes, synod and Classical Diaconal Committees across Canada when possible to promote DMC and its resources.
Increase the participation of young adults in equipping events. / DMC Staff encourages event planners to find ways to attract young adults.
D) Stewardship
(Time, trees, talent, treasure) / Churches will broaden their understanding of biblical stewardship. / Provide resources and support to churches that are pursuing stewardship initiatives in their church.
Promote the use of CAP (Christians Against Poverty) in churches.
“ENDS” #3
LIVING JUSTLY / Focus Areas / Staff Goals / Staff Activities / Actual Results
FY 16-17
DMC equips deacons to mobilize churches to respond to injustices affecting people in their communities.
~
Micah 6:8
And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. / *currently DMC does not have a Justice Mobilizer on staff; this focus area will be continually monitored by all staff.
A) Congregational Mobilization: / Churches increase their awareness of social justice issues in Canada. / Upload blog posts highlighting social justice initiatives/opportunities connected to CRC congregations.
12 Churches seek out ways to directly address injustices. / Assist churches to utilize justice resources (e.g. blanket exercise).
Keep the justice area of the website up to date. / Staff will review, update and expand the web’s justice section so that deacons and churches have the information and tools to respond to marginalized people groups within their communities.
DMDs are actively promoting justice conversations in diaconates. / Staff equip DMDs.
B) Partners in Justice: / Partnerships with CRC agencies are ongoing; to engage churches in justice ministry. / DMC staff will be familiar with, and be able to refer to, resources from:
●  Office of Social Justice
●  Disabilities Concerns
●  Race Relations
●  Salaam Project
●  World Renew
●  Home Missions
The partnership agreements with CRC agencies will be kept current.
Diaconates/churches are involved with World Renew refugee sponsorship and support resettlement. / Promote the World Renew refugee sponsorship/resettlement program.
C) Key Areas: / Churches are using DMC resources to address areas of injustice. / Staff promotes the use of DMC resources relevant to:
●  Restorative Justice
●  Vulnerable People Groups:
1. Aboriginals
2. LGBTQ+
3. Newcomers to Canada
4. People who are homeless
5. People with Physical and/or Mental Disabilities
6. People with a low income
●  Human Trafficking
●  Creation Care
DMC Staff will research tools for proper monitoring of resource use.

6