Resources by Topic
Would you like to research a particular diaconal topic, but are not sure what reliable resources are available? We’ve compiled a list of topics with resources to books, articles, videos, reviews and podcasts we believe are well-grounded and relevant to the local deacon. This is not an exhaustive list, but it may give you a starting point. If you find others you believe should be added, we’d love to know about them: diaconalministries@opc.org.
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Resources for Deacons: Love Expressed through Mercy Ministries
New Testament Deacon: The Church's Minister of Mercy
What is Mercy Ministry? - Basics of the Faith Series
Ministries of Mercy: The Call of the Jericho Road
The Deacon: The Biblical Roots and the Ministry of Mercy Today
The Deaconship: A Treatise on the Biblical Office
The Importance of the Office of Deacon
The Biblical Foundation of the Diaconate
Principles for the Ministry of Mercy
Principles of Diaconal Ministry
Two Miles Without a Cloak or a Tunic
Some Old Testament Roots and Their Continuing Significance
Book Review: A Historical and Biblical Examination of Women Deacons
Book Review: The Deacon: Biblical Foundations for Today’s Ministry of Mercy Review by David Nakhla
God's Gift of Deacons by Rev. Ron Pearce
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Pointers for Elders and Deacons Part 1
Pointers for Elders and Deacons, Part 2
How Ruling Elders Can Help Deacons (podcast)
Faithful and Fruitful: Essays for Elders and Deacons, edited by William Boekestein and Steven Swets
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The Reformed Deacon Podcast: Church Safety in the 21st Century
Improving Upon the Status Quo: Child Safety by Jonathan W. Shishko
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Volunteers and Your Church: Avoiding Legal Pitfalls by Christopher W. Shishko
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Women Deacons? Focusing the Issue by Rev. Richard Gaffin
Phoebe Was a Deacon: Other Women Should Be, Too by Rev. Robert B. Strimple
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Diaconal Wisdom from Diaconal Veterans by deacon Chris Sudlow
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From the Resurrection Comes Mercy by Rev. Dave Sarafolean
Fifteen Years of Disaster Response: A Labor of Love by David Nakhla
The "True Fans" of Disaster Response by Brad Hertzog
Ready for the STORM by Tim Hopper
An Evangelist in Houston by Rev. Mark Sumpter
A Christian Response to Disaster by Scott Pearce
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Helping Without Hurting in Church Benevolence: A Practical Guide to Walking with Low-Income People
Christian Charity or The Duty of Charity to the Poor, Explained and Enforced
Two Miles Without a Cloak or Tunic
Balancing Sensitivity and Stewardship in Diaconal Assistance
Money, Debt and Finances by Jim Newheiser
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The Plague of Loneliness (Ordained Servant August-September 2022)
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“Obadiah, the Protodeacon and the OPC” by Greg De Jong; from the Mercy Minute newsletter, March, 2024
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Presbytery Diaconal Summit V: Diaconal Needs, Counseling Pastors and the Obadiah Fund (podcast)
Promoting Happy Pastors by deacon Tim Hopper
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“Overview of the PDC Mandate and the Role of the CDM” The Reformed Deacon podcast Season 3 Episode 8 Released March 23 2024
Presbytery Diaconal Committee Resources
Equipping Presbytery Diaconal Committees by Trish Duggan
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Christians, Churches, and Public Aid, Part 1 by Rev. David VanDrunen
Christians, Churches, and Public Aid, Part 2 by Rev. David VanDrunen
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Seeking Refuge: On the Shores of the Global Refugee Crisis
Serving God in a Migrant Crisis: Ministry to People on the Move
Refugee Relief: Foreign Missions at Home
The Refugee Crisis: The OPC Perspective by Rev. Lendall Smith
A Four-Part Series by Rev. Chris Cashen:
Refugee Ministry Part 1: Is it Safe for Christians to Refuse to Welcome the Stranger?Refugee Ministry Part 2: The Case of the Strang Ers
Refugee Ministry Part 3:What Will We Lose by Inviting Refugees to our Dinner Table?
Refugee Ministry Part 4: A Step by Step Guide to Beginning Refugee Ministry
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Let Us Do Good to Everyone by Rev. Adrian Crum
Ministry to the Stranger by Rev. Deryck Barson (Video)
Ministry to the Stranger by Rev. Deryck Barson (podcast)
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Organic Officer Training by Rev. William Shishko
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A Servant’s Summit: Deacons as Visitors by Jamie Dean
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When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor...and Yourself
Helping Without Hurting in Church Benevolence: A Practical Guide to Walking with Low-Income People
Balancing Sensitivity and Stewardship in Diaconal Assistance
The Reformed Deacon Real World Cases: Walk-Ins
Let Us Do Good to Everyone by Rev.
Adrian Crum
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“How the Westminster Standards Relate to Deacons” The Reformed Deacon podcast. Season 3 Episode 9 Released Apri 1, 2024
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