Deacon & Mercy Training
Since 1991 I have been involved in workshops that equip Christian men and women for ministry—specifically helping people come alongside those who feel broken or brokenhearted. The training was the result of one church consultation where deacons had many unanswered questions:
- What must we do?
- What is our biblical responsibility in the church and to the community?
- What is not our responsibility?
- When is it okay to say “No”?
- What would you do in this situation?
- How can we stop feeling like we are “putting out fires all over the place”?
- How can we delegate and mobilize others?
What We Teach
We have used Tim Keller’s 12-session video series along with my own teaching. Several years ago Dr. Keller gave us permission to reproduce his material on DVD and to revise his manual. The video instruction represents five hours of teaching. My live presentations address frustrations and barriers in ministry, problems people face in diaconal and mercy ministry, the biblical aspects of mercy, and the heart of a servant. Some topics are:
- How to Deal with Con Artists and Panhandlers
- Examining our Fears: Ministry to at-Risk People
- Role of the Deacon
- Active Listening
- Coming Alongside Others
- Ministry Fatigue
- "Neighbor-ology"
- Mobilizing Congregations
Who Should Attend
The training is valuable for diaconal nominees, men and women who desire a firmer grasp on a biblical perspective of mercy, current deacons who are seeking more effective methods of serving others, seminary students, those who are concerned about compassion fatigue, and small groups.
Why Deacon & Mercy Training Is Important
Our training is always about relations—especially how our relationship with Jesus affects our ministry to others. Past participants have brought a new energy and spirit of encouragement back to their churches. By being with servants from other churches they sense that they are not alone in their ministry. They learn to trust God more and seek to please him, not other people. People acquire a new confidence for reaching out to others. In addition, Tenth mercy ministries have been reproduced by numerous other churches.
We are completing the fall 2013 training this Saturday (1/11). Please pray for those who attend this final session and for me as I present. And look for information about upcoming trainings on www.tenth.org. Feel free to email me with questions.