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In this episode, host David Nakhla talks with three men: one whose family suffered damage to their home through regional flooding, one whose family suffered devastating property loss as a result of a fire, and one who has aided in a variety of disasters over the years. They share with us from the recipient's perspective in order to aid deacons and church families understand and gain some practical tips for aiding those in crises. Their experiences have taught them an appreciation for being a part of Christ’s church during difficult times, how the actions of others helped them through their ordeal and the lessons that can sometimes come in dealing with the aftermath.

Referenced in this episode:
5 Initial Steps to disaster response
OPC Disaster Response website
OPC Disaster Response on Facebook
OPC Disaster Response on Instagram
OPC Disaster Response effort in western North Carolina
OPC Disaster Response effort in Florida

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.

What did you think? Text us! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address.

In this episode, host David Nakhla talks with two deacons, David Pendergrass, Covenant Reformed OPC in West Plains, MO, and Greg Harrison, Second Parish OPC, Scarborough, ME, who have, through the Lord's leading, found their professional calling largely based in the ministry of mercy. These two unique examples of thinking outside the box may not represent the Lord's calling for everyone, but David and Greg encourage deacons to look for ways in their lives to follow where the Lord is leading as they think outside the box.

Referenced in this episode:
Hearts of Hope
Sweetwater Research
James 1:27
John 14:18
Practicing the King's Economy by Michael J. Rhodes, Robby Holt, Brian Fikkert
David Pendergrass' church: Covenant Reformed OPC, West Plains, MO
Greg Harrison's Church: Second Parish OPC, Scarborough, ME
The Life of Lilian Trasher: Nile Mother by Beth Prim Howell
Mark and Debbie MacLachlan
"To the Least of These" David Nakhla’s trip to Romania to visit Greg Harrison
Jeremiah 29:7
Contact David Pendergrass (dpendergrass@sweetwaterresearch.org)
Contact Greg Harrison (gregory26466@gmail.com)

Prayer requests:

David:

• An increase in needed donations for Sweetwater Research
• Full-time remote work for David
• Add to Sweetwater board members

Greg:

• Praying that people gifted in teaching would come alongside to help teach their kids
• Looking for a place to purchase
• A body of Christ to be raised up nearby for the family to be fed spiritually
• Younger people to help serve with Hearts of Hope
• Funding to aid additional orphans

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.

What did you think? Text us! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address.

In this episode, host, David Nakhla is joined by deacon John Stahl (Immanuel OPC, Wilmington, DE), deacon John Voss (Covenant OPC, Orland Park, IL) and pastor Adrian Crum (Harvest OPC, Wyoming, MI) to discuss our fist set of listener questions, from Caleb in Phoenix, Arizona, all related to I Timothy 5:3-16. This is an insightful, yet complex passage regarding widows and how they are to be regarded and provided for by the church.

Caleb's questions:
1. How should deacons interact with people asking for help when they have not yet asked their family for it? Verse four basically implies it's first the family's job then the church's job right? And is it the deacons job to go to the family asking for money on behalf of the person, or just telling them to ask and then come back if they refuse? Just overall I wonder what that interaction should look like. Have you ever had to enact church discipline on family members unwilling to provide for a widow (since they are "worse than an unbeliever")? Also, do you think this also applies to people with only unbelieving family?

2. How do deacons (or how SHOULD they) deal with the command to "refuse to enroll younger widows" (v. 11) and basically refuse to help people that could change their own circumstance (get remarried?) Is Paul referring to this group of "widows" widely and generally. Some of these concepts probably have to carry over to widowers as well so how do you decide what is specific to that time period and what is prescribed for today's church?

3. Similarity to #2, how should deacons focus on the godliness of those asking for help? Verses 9-10 seem to say that they must have shown exceptional godliness to be enrolled. (is there something special about this term "enrollment" compared to general financial help?) How do deacons differentiate between a request of a very godly member of the church compared to a spiritually lukewarm member (or an outside unbeliever asking for help)?

Although our panel doesn't pretend to have all the answers, we hope you will find the discussion to be insightful, helpful and scripturally based.

If you have questions you'd like more insight on, please be sure to email us: mail@thereformeddeacon.org.

Referenced in this episode:
Hebrews 3:13
1 Timothy 5:4
The Deacon: The Biblical Roots and the Ministry of Mercy Today
1 Corinthians 7:37
Hebrews 13:17

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.