Diaconal Coaches Gather
Diaconal Ministries Canada (DMC) hosted its annual Diaconal Coaches Gathering Jan. 15-17 in Port Colborne, Ont., bringing together 14 diaconal coaches from across Canada, two regional directors, and four DMC support staff.
The coaches and DMC staff gather each year for training in diaconal best practices, reviewing resources to share with deacons in each region and classis of Canada, connecting with other coaches, brainstorming solutions to current issues in churches, and encouraging one another in what can be a demanding role, said DMC director John Wildeboer.
“Diaconal coaches are trained and experienced in diaconal work,” the DMC website explains. Their work can include leading deacon workshops, consulting, and connecting, with the goal of helping deacons to engage with their communities, promote stewardship in their congregations, and work out their calling as deacons in the context of church and community.
Mark Vanderwees, a diaconal coach in Classis Toronto and DMC’s regional ministry developer for eastern Canada (Manitoba to the Maritimes), noted, “My favourite part of the agenda is where the coaches recall experiences that they have encountered (respecting confidentiality, of course) and share them with other coaches. This is a time for peer learning as other coaches suggest ‘what they would have done’ if they were in those situations. I prime the pump with a few examples of my own, and then hand it over to them to share among themselves in small groups.”
Diane Vande Meent, a new coach for Classis Quinte, said she appreciated the opportunity to hear from other coaches and to share experiences. “The speakers taught me how to shift my thinking, to see things differently,” she explained. She said they encouraged her to adjust her mindset from “come and see” to “go and be” and to move from “service for” to “service with” to help create flourishing communities.
Dave Hornor, a coach for two classes in British Columbia, said it was meaningful for him “to hear what deacon coaches all across Canada are doing. Some are meeting in person with diaconates at deacons’ meetings. Some are going to classis meetings and engaging with deacon delegates during a meal time or special session. Some are passionately engaged with restorative justice. Others are working with deacons on the nuts and bolts of devising wise, practical benevolence policies that ‘help without doing harm.’”
On Saturday morning, Jan. 17, retreat participants traveled across the Niagara Peninsula to visit The Bridge, a CRC church plant in Niagara Falls, Ont., that provides breakfast to underhoused or unhoused community members and has recently formed partnerships with local conference centres to create a food recovery program.
Anita Plat-Kuiken, a coach for Classis Ontario Southwest, said she was impressed by “how this church plant has become a food redistribution centre and how it is bringing the whole community together to care for the vulnerable population that lives there.”
Vande Meent said the visit to The Bridge reinforced some of the ideas she had learned earlier in the retreat: “Show up. Listen. Don’t judge. Don’t fix. Contact. Communicate. Collaborate.” This teachable, collaborative approach is part of DMC’s focus on Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD), which seeks to build on existing strengths and resources within a community, said Plat-Kuiken.
Some of the main themes of this year’s retreat, said Vanderwees, included equipping deacons to be sensitive in intercultural ministry contexts, introducing and practicing facilitating a “congregational asset map,” and reviewing best practices in diaconal coaching, using case studies and workplans.
Noting that part of the goal of gathering in person is to learn from other coaches, Hornor said, “It was especially meaningful to meet and hear [Classis Alberta North] coach Dr. Parry Stelter and his wife, Angie. They bring many years of ministry experience to the table with Indigenous voices.”
In addition to training deacons in Asset-Based Community Development, DMC models this approach itself. DMC staff member Erin Knight noted, “We always intentionally include partner agency representatives to share about their work and how they can walk with our coaches and with deacons.” This year’s retreat included CRCNA staff members Cindy Stover, Canadian justice mobilizer, and Sebastian Maldonado, senior coleader of intercultural ministry.
Despite wintry weather causing some challenges and delays, Wildeboer said he was pleased the retreat went well. “It was another great retreat with a great team of people,” he added.
Vande Meent agreed, reflecting, “The three days away was good for my soul and spirit. I rested and became rejuvenated in the work we do.”
Plat-Kuiken said the retreat was a wonderful way to feel part of the DMC coaches team and its message and mandate. “I hope more churches will make use of the resources and training DMC has to offer. And I hope that more people will train to become coaches to their churches.”
