To be moved with compassion means a certain vulnerability. It means allowing God to break your heart for the people around you. But, before all of that, it means cultivating a heart like the heart of God.
Author: GillK
Gill has been a missioner in Nigeria, Romania and various parishes in England. She was ordained a 'distinctive' deacon in 1991. In this capacity she was warden of the College of St Philip the Deacon in Exeter diocese, and founder member of the CofE Network of Distinctive Deacons https://cofedeacons.org. She has also written the story of her own call, Deacon by Design. https://www.waterstones.com/book/deacon-by-design/gill-kimber/9781910719794
She's passionate about the diaconate and, now retired, continues to support those who are called to this ministry.
By giving everything, the widow is also expressing her dependence on God. Part of what Jesus is doing here is subtly shifting the object lesson from wealth to true value.
In strong partnerships, each partner has something important to contribute. Paul knows that the church in Philippi supports him through prayer (vs. 19), and will also “stand firm” (vs. 27) for the gospel. Paul realizes that his encouragement and teaching are also important to the church (vs. 24). Together, as partners, Paul and the church encourage and pray for each other and work from their strengths to advance the gospel together.
Deacons, you have an important leadership role in the church! As you are examples and mentors of service, and encourage your congregation to serve, you will bless your community and be blessed in return. Commit this to God and resolve to lead as God has called you.
As you dig a bit deeper into your church’s ‘Pre-Covid Reality’, now might be the time to look at the following questions.
Deacon Chris Sheehan reflects on the difference between Ordained Pioneer Ministry and the Distinctive Diaconate.
Video of Ann Morisy's webinar: Distinctive Deacons: enacting hope in troubled times
With my diocesan steering group, I put together a four-session course for deacons, called 'Preparing for Mission'. It was done with exactly this scenario in mind: that we, as deacons, stand in the doorway, in the space between church and community. We explore it, we reach out through it, we discern what God is doing in that context.
I'm so pleased to be able to announce that we have a new date for our postponed national deacons' conference, next year.
It will be on Saturday 17 April at the same place as our first conference, the Frances Young centre at Queen's Foundation, Birmingham.
Anyhow, she had to go to hospital. On Sunday morning she announces to the ward that normally she would be in her church, but as she isn't, she'd like to say a prayer for everyone. She's not being funny or anything - but would they mind?
CofE Network of Distinctive Deacons 