Meet Your Fellow Deacon: Bob Munich
“Reach out to others in love first.” This is the greatest lesson OPC Deacon Bob Munich has learned while being a deacon. Bob serves at Calvary OPC in Volga, South Dakota, and he says that in his four years as a deacon there, he has repeatedly seen just how important it is to be approachable, both by those within the congregation and those from the community.
A Summit Not To Be Missed!
“Please don’t use the expression, ‘I'm only or just a deacon,’” Rev. Bill Shishko strongly and lovingly cautioned the men at the 4th OPC National Diaconal Summit. “Hopefully that will be knocked out of you if you've used it in the past.” Shishko went on to share his experience at his former church, the OPC of Franklin Square, and how he worked to build the diaconate there. Diaconal work is hard work, he admitted, but, “I just came to revel in the work, the variety of the work, the excitement of the work that deacons do. I love and esteem the work of the diaconate, and I'm hoping that I can bring some of that love and excitement to you this evening.”
Showing Mercy in One of the Poorest Regions of the World: Karamoja, Uganda
In Karamoja, Uganda, you don't have to look far for opportunities to “show mercy,” as it is one of the poorest regions in the world. The constant temptation is to “pass by” like the pharisee and the Levite, and then excuse ourselves because we are too busy, or someone else should take a turn. To the extent that the Lord has given us faith, I hope to share with you the opportunities that we have taken in 2021 to “show mercy” in Karamoja in 2021.
Meet Your Fellow Deacons: New Hope OPC, Green Bay, WI
Deacon Josh Agen grew up attending New Hope OPC after his parents discovered orthodox preaching on Christian radio and left a mainline church. He left the Green Bay area for about 20 years for college and career but moved back in 2017. He is now beginning his fourth year as a deacon at New Hope OPC and sixth year as a deacon in the OPC.
He began serving at a very small OP congregation simply because there was an acute need for men to serve. He says, "I didn't think I had gifts that were particularly suited toward serving as a deacon. However, I have found serving as a deacon to be a great blessing as it gives me an opportunity to be directly involved in one of the ways God extends mercy to those in need, and to share the gospel with individuals seeking help from outside of the church." New Hope has a food pantry and distributes grocery and gas cards to individuals who request aid from the community. They are also actively involved in assisting and advising people within the church family who have continuing needs. They have a separate Mercy Ministry committee that deals with more outward focused ministry such as a Bible study at a local jail, fundraising to support various local organizations, and nursing home ministry.
Josh says that the diaconate sometimes struggles to know how best to help or motivate individuals who seem unwilling to take positive actions to improve their situation. He would like to grow in that area, but he says that one of the greatest strengths of the diaconate is, "the care and servant-heartedness of the other deacons [which has been] a wonderful testimony [to him] of the gracious work of the Holy Spirit in their lives."
Two Miles Without a Cloak or Tunic
Jesus praised the widow who gave all she had and he scorned the offerings of those who gave without feeling the slightest pinch. In the Old Testament, the widow fed the prophet Elijah from the bottom of her jars what was going to be her last meal. The Lord, who saw these cheerful, sacrificial givers and what they did in secret, rewarded them.