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.
“Have a listening ear to the needs and concerns of those who are hurting. Someone may not have a healthy community around them and may not have been shown real compassion. They may not even know how to express love to and concern for others, let alone expect that from other people. These are the people who are desperately looking to have someone reach out to them. That is why it is so important to reach out to others in love. We don’t know what their life’s journey has been,” Bob says.
This can be easier said than done, especially within your own congregation. The needs of those outside the church may seem obvious, but it’s sometimes harder to identify the needs and concerns of those inside the church if you don’t get to know them. In fact, when the elders of Calvary OPC approached Bob about being a deacon, he was willing to serve in the hopes that it would provide him an opportunity to help remedy the need he saw for the church to grow in fellowship and service to one another.
Bob is teaching an adult Sunday school class at Calvary, and is glad for the opportunity to listen to those in the church. It has brought him closer to those in the church through discussion and spiritual edification.
Leading and encouraging others in the congregation to be sensitive to the needs of their brothers and sisters is important. “Take time to look out for needs that you can help meet. But also take time to observe the strengths in your church family. Compliment when appropriate and let people know where they can come alongside others. Take time to see where physical and spiritual growth is needed. Seek the help of the Holy Spirit and get busy,” Bob suggests.
May the Lord use each local diaconate as a means to minister His compassion and faithful provision to those both inside and outside of His church by leading God’s people to be more and more sensitive to the opportunities for mercy ministry in their midst.