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It's the start of season 4!

In this episode, pastor Chris Cashen, Trinity Reformed OPC, Lanham, MD and deacon Tim Hopper, Shiloh OPC, Raleigh, NC, propose and discuss some different ways for deacons to care for their pastors. From forming friendships, to periodic check-ins, to helping them wade through the complicated maze of choosing an home, car, insurance plan and completing taxes, Tim and Chris see many opportunities for serving the pastor and allowing them to be able to focus on the care of the congregation through the Word and preaching. Deacons can alleviate the loneliness often felt by pastors and their families by strengthening the pastor-deacon relationship, encouraging the women of the church to befriend the pastor's wife all which can lead to promoting unity within the church. Join us as we explore meaningful ways deacons can be a blessing to their pastors, all while growing together in Christ.

Referenced in this episode:
OPC Committee on Ministerial Care's website
Pastor Retreat information (found on the CMC website)
Healthcare.gov
OPC Insurance Benefits

You can find all of our episodes at thereformeddeacon.org. Make sure to follow us on your favorite podcast player, so you don't miss an episode. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for giveaways and more information. Find other resources on OPCCDM.org. Make sure to send us some feedback on your podcast player or ask a diaconal question by going to OPCCDM.org.

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In this episode, hosts Chris Cashen, a CDM member and pastor of Trinity Reformed Church in Lanham, MD, and Tim Hopper, a CDM member and deacon at Shiloh OPC in Raleigh, NC, welcome guests John Fikkert, Director of the OPC Committee on Ministerial Care, and David Nakhla, Administrator of the OPC Committee on Diaconal Ministries. Together, they explore the origins and missions of these committees, the work being done in diaconal ministries, and how local deacons can use the connected church to access support in areas of the diaconate including caring for your pastor. John talks about the Obadiah Fund, a special fund for retired ministers, their wives and minister’s widows. This fund was initiated to provide special care and concern to those in the OPC who have sacrificed so much for the ministry of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. The fund was previously overseen by the OPC Committee on Diaconal Ministries but is now managed by the OPC Committee on Ministerial Care. You’ll hear about the CDM’s resources, online and in person by way of presbytery-level and local diaconal summits. This episode is full of good information and even a few case studies to help with knowing who to contact in relation to caring for your pastor. This episode is a helpful resource for sure!

Referenced in this episode:

OPCCDM.org
OPCCMC.org
Presbytery and National Summits
OPC Committee on Ministerial Care Pastoral Compensation Tool

You can find all of our episodes at thereformeddeacon.org. Make sure to follow us on your favorite podcast player, so you don't miss an episode. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for giveaways and more information. Find other resources on OPCCDM.org. Make sure to send us some feedback on your podcast player or ask a diaconal question by going to OPCCDM.org.

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In this episode, the four deacons from Part 1 (John Stahl, Immanuel OPC, Wilmington, DE; Bob Keys, Grace OPC, Columbus, OH; Jared Grigg, Acacia OPC, Manassas, VA; Lynne Hunter, Harvest OPC, Wyoming, MI) continue discussing two more scenarios: a year-long intern is having car trouble and empty nesters who are struggling to pay their bills. This episode is particularly helpful with suggestions for approaching the family members of those who are needing help.

The men don't always suggest the same solutions, but their perspectives help to spur on good discussion and good answers; iron sharpens iron!

You can find all of our episodes at thereformeddeacon.org. Make sure to follow us on your favorite podcast player, so you don't miss an episode. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for giveaways and more information. Find other resources on OPCCDM.org. Make sure to send us some feedback on your podcast player or ask a diaconal question by going to OPCCDM.org.

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In this episode, host John Stahl, deacon at Emmanuel OPC in Wilmington, DE, and member of the CDM, leads a discussion with three fellow deacons: Lynne Hunter from Harvest OPC in Wyoming, Michigan; Bob Keys from Grace OPC in Columbus, Ohio; and Jared Grigg from Acacia OPC in Manassas, Virginia. The group explores dilemmas with significant long-term implications. They first address a situation involving a member who, due to an accident, requires extensive assistance. They then consider the case of a couple expecting their fourth child who is struggling to make ends meet. These discussions represent the first part of a two-part series.

You can find all of our episodes at thereformeddeacon.org. Make sure to follow us on your favorite podcast player, so you don't miss an episode. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for giveaways and more information. Find other resources on OPCCDM.org. Make sure to send us some feedback on your podcast player or ask a diaconal question by going to OPCCDM.org.

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In this episode host, Pastor Chris Cashen talks with Elder Jeremy Huntington and Deacon Scott Cormier from Covenant OPC, New Bern, NC to discuss Matthew 15:21-28—where we find Jesus modeling true compassion and how that example can help shape the heart of a deacon.

Chris, Jeremy and Scott look at this passage about a Canaanite woman who comes to Jesus crying for help for her daughter who is demon-possessed. The discussion is focused on the application of this passage as it relates to a deacon's heart.

Referenced in this episode:

• The Deacon by Dr. Cornelis Van Dam
• Listen to The Reformed Deacon podcast's, "Interview with Cornelis Van Dam"
• National Diaconal Summit:
  • The Ministry that Deacons Need
  • Diaconal Leadership Today
• More resources at OPCCDM.org

You can find all of our episodes at thereformeddeacon.org. Make sure to follow us on your favorite podcast player, so you don't miss an episode. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for giveaways and more information. Find other resources on OPCCDM.org. Make sure to send us some feedback on your podcast player or ask a diaconal question by going to OPCCDM.org.

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In this episode, Rev. Adrian Crum, associate pastor at Harvest OPC in Wyoming, MI sits down with two of his deacons, Lynne Hunter and Cameron Brown to talk about the why and how of Harvest's newly constructed Elderly Committee or HARPs Group (Harvest Association of Retired Presbyterians.)

Lynne says, "Part of it was that we had, or have, a number of elderly folk that have no family and we were getting called in to help these people navigate murky waters. They could no longer live by themselves, and we were getting asked well, 'how can we help them?' And that's when we started exploring what we are supposed to do and what is our responsibility as deacons? And that was kind of some of the catalyst when we found that folder and started perusing through that and saying, okay, here's some good ideas, but it still doesn't give us the total answer. Now, we still don't have a total answer, but we're working on it."

Referenced in this episode:
Survey of Talents (created by Cameron Brown)
The Reformed Deacon Real World Cases: Be Proactive
If I Should Die (booklet Cameron refers to given out by David Haney)
Barnabus Foundation (Financial Planning available to all OPC members)
Committee on Diaconal Ministries Summits
Contact Lynne Hunter
Contact Cameron Brown
Contact Rev. Adrian Crum

You can find all of our episodes at thereformeddeacon.org. Make sure to follow us on your favorite podcast player, so you don't miss an episode. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for giveaways and more information. Find other resources on OPCCDM.org. Make sure to send us some feedback on your podcast player or ask a diaconal question by going to OPCCDM.org.

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In this episode, Peter Haines, an elder at Concho Valley OPC in Concho, Arizona talks to two elders—Kris Lehner, an elder at Immanuel OPC in Medford, NJ and David Drake, an elder at Trinity OPC in Hatboro, PA. Each offer guidance to deacons, based on their expertise in the field of personal insurance in order to strengthen the understanding of "people-based insurance". Kris and David touch on risk management—a complicated topic for which diaconal resources are hard to come by.

Kris and David share their expertise on the importance of working within a budget to aid pastors, their families and others in choosing benefit packages with appropriate and sufficient amounts of disability insurance. Whether you are wealthy or struggle to make ends meet, everyone needs a plan and wisdom in knowing how to go about it. We hope that this episode will leave you with some important first steps toward that goal.

Referenced in this episode:
If you have questions you'd like to ask of Kris or David, please contact them:
Contact Kris Lehner
Contact David Drake
"The Exchange" (government website for insurance plans)

You can find all of our episodes at thereformeddeacon.org. Make sure to follow us on your favorite podcast player, so you don't miss an episode. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for giveaways and more information. Find other resources on OPCCDM.org. Make sure to send us some feedback on your podcast player or ask a diaconal question by going to OPCCDM.org.

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In this episode, Part 2 of "Policies and Procedures", we'll dive into the case of Sam, a candidate with great potential but some rough edges, and discuss the importance of knowing candidates for officers in the church by walking side by side with them. The second scenario, the four deacons tackle the sensitive topic of allowing non-members, particularly same-sex couples, to use church facilities for weddings, and the importance of establishing clear policies aligned with doctrinal values. This episode is packed with practical advice and thoughtful insights on these two interesting scenarios.

Referenced in this episode:
Part 1 of "Policies and Procedures" can be found here: https://www.thereformeddeacon.org/1849391/15266887-real-world-cases-policies-and-procedures-part-1

You can find all of our episodes at thereformeddeacon.org. Make sure to follow us on your favorite podcast player, so you don't miss an episode. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for giveaways and more information. Find other resources on OPCCDM.org. Make sure to send us some feedback on your podcast player or ask a diaconal question by going to OPCCDM.org.