Best a Podcast from the OPC Committee on Diaconal Ministries Podcasts (2025)

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Helping Those Struggling with Mental Health 1:29:31

3d ago1:29:31

1:29:31

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address. In this episode of The Reformed Deacon, host Rev. Adrian Crum speaks with Rev. John Fikkert, a mental health counselor and Director of the OPC Committee on Ministerial Care, and his wife, Dr. Lindsay Fikkert, a psychologist at Pell…

1
Flood Insurance 22:20

1M ago22:20

22:20

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address. In this episode, host Peter Haines, elder at Concho Valley OPC in Concho Valley, AZ, leads a discussion with Brian Tilton, deacon at Trinity OPC in Hatboro, PA, and co-owner of Millham Companies, a personal and business insurance f…

1
Helping Your Congregation Understand a Deacon's Role 37:27

2M ago37:27

37:27

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address. In this episode, host John Stahl (deacon at Immanuel OPC, Wilmington, DE) leads a discussion with Shiloh OPC, Raleigh, NC Deacon Tim Hopper and Harvest OPC in Wyoming, MI Associate Pastor of Youth and Evangelism Adrian Crum to cons…

1
Finding the Next Deacon 44:22

3M ago44:22

44:22

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address. In this episode, Revs. Chris Cashen and Bill Shishko consider how churches might identify men called to the office of deacon, drawing from 1 Timothy 3:8-13. Many congregations and church plants either lack deacons entirely or may n…

1
Practical Disaster Response 57:18

4M ago57:18

57:18

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

1
Thinking Outside the Box 1:12:37

5M ago1:12:37

1:12:37

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! 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 profes…

1
Listener Questions: 1 Timothy 5 35:18

6M ago35:18

35:18

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! 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 listen…

1
How Deacons Can Care for Their Pastor 45:44

6M ago45:44

45:44

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

1
How CDM and CMC Support Local Deacons 51:58

7M ago51:58

51:58

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

1
Real World Cases: Long-Term Dilemmas Part 2 22:44

7M ago22:44

22:44

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

1
Real World Cases: Long Term Dilemmas Part 1 35:08

8M ago35:08

35:08

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

1
The Heart of a Deacon 46:32

8M ago46:32

46:32

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

1
A Committee to Care for the Elderly: Harvest OPC 42:23

9M ago42:23

42:23

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

1
Personal Insurance: Help for Deacons 33:31

10M ago33:31

33:31

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

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Real World Cases: Policies and Procedures Part 2 20:37

10M ago20:37

20:37

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

1
Real World Cases: Policies and Procedures Part 1 31:23

11M ago31:23

31:23

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address. In this episode, David Nakhla facilitates part 1 of a discussion of real-life scenarios with four seasoned deacons: Lynne Hunter, Bob Keys, John Voss, and Doug Vos. As the men discuss, a common thread emerges—a need for diaconates …

1
Loving Those in Prison 44:51

11M ago44:51

44:51

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address. In this episode OPC minister, Lowell Ivey, joins host David Nakhla, to talk about the importance of ministry to those in prison, specifically to the surprisingly large number who are in the family of God. Lowell talks about the imp…

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PDS V 2023: Promoting and Encouraging Diaconal Work in Presbytery 41:04

12M ago41:04

41:04

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address. In this episode, Tim Hopper, a deacon at Shiloh OPC in Raleigh, North Carolina, chairman of the Presbytery of the Southeast Diaconal Committee and a member of the OPC Committee on Diaconal Ministries reminds us that being a deacon …

1
Let Us Do Good To Everyone 32:37

1y ago32:37

32:37

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address. In this episode, Rev. Chris Cashen, pastor of Trinity Reformed OPC in Lanham, MD talks with Rev. Adrian Crum, Associate Pastor of Youth and Evangelism at Harvest OPC in Wyoming, Michigan. Chris and Adrian discuss in broad brush fas…

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Presbytery Diaconal Summit V: PSE Response to the Kentucky Flood 43:05

1y ago43:05

43:05

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address. In this episode elder Mike Cloy from Landis OPC in Marion, North Carolina and elder Seth Long from Neon Reformed OPC describe what it was like on the ground the days after the devastating flood hit Neon, Kentucky and the surroundin…

1
How the Westminster Standards Relate to Deacons 36:13

1y ago36:13

36:13

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address. Have you ever tried to find the word, "deacon" (or elder for that matter) in the Westminster Standards? If you have, you probably couldn't find it, because it isn't referred to explicitly by name. Does that mean the Standards aren'…

1
Presbytery Diaconal Summit V: Overview of the PDC Mandate and the Role of the CDM 52:26

1y ago52:26

52:26

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address. In this episode, you'll hear a recording from the Presbytery Diaconal Committee's fifth Summit hosted by the OPC Committees on Diaconal Ministries and Ministerial Care entitled, "Overview of the PDC Mandate and the Role of the CDM"…

1
Biblical Financial Wisdom 41:05

1y ago41:05

41:05

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address. In this episode, Shiloh OPC, Raleigh, NC Deacon and CDM member Tim Hopper welcomes Dr. Jim Newheiser, professor at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC and author of the book, "Money, Debt and Finances: Critical Questions…

1
Presbytery Diaconal Summit V: Assisting Churches and Mission Works without Deacons 58:05

1y ago58:05

58:05

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address. In this episode, Rev. John Shaw, pastor and former OPC general secretary for Home Missions and Church Extension (CHMCE) addresses the OPC Presbytery Diaconal Committee (PDC) members at the recent OPC Presbytery Diaconal Summit (PDS…

1
Serving by Supporting: The Role of Deacons' Wives 38:52

1+ y ago38:52

38:52

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address. In this episode, The Reformed Deacon producer and long-time OPC deacon's wife, Trish Duggan, hosts two other seasoned OPC deacons' wives, Rachel Engeltjes and Michele Martzke from Bethel OPC in Wheaton, IL. I Timothy 3 gives a clea…

1
Real World Cases: Walking Alongside People in the Church 45:26

1+ y ago45:26

45:26

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address. In this episode Tim Hopper, Shiloh OPC, Raleigh, NC deacon and CDM member, facilitates a discussion with fellow OPC deacons: Bob Keys, a deacon from Grace OPC in Columbus, Ohio, Doug Vos, deacon at Oakland Hills OPC in Farmington H…

1
Presbytery Diaconal Summit V: Diaconal Needs, Counseling Pastors and the Obadiah Fund 45:53

1+ y ago45:53

45:53

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address. In this episode, Rev. John Fikkert, the director of the OPC Committee on Ministerial Care (CMC) addressed the group of Presbytery Diaconal Committee (PDC) members at the recent Presbytery Diaconal Summit (PDS) to thank them for the…

1
How Ruling Elders Can Help Deacons 40:27

1+ y ago40:27

40:27

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address. Elders and deacons working in conjunction for the good of their flock is of great importance to the health of any local church but the way to go about that is not always well-defined. In this episode, Rev. Stephen Tracey talks with…

1
Elisha and the Oil 55:03

1+ y ago55:03

55:03

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address. In this episode, Rev. Chris Cashen and Rev. Matt Holst explore 2 Kings 4 through the eyes of a deacon. As Matt points out, although this is not an obvious passage for deacons, it does include aspects of diaconal work, like caring f…

1
A Conversation with a Former Refugee 1:00:14

1+ y ago1:00:14

1:00:14

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address. In this episode CDM Administrator David Nakhla talks with former refugee Okuch Ojullo about his time in a refugee camp and how the Lord led him to Himself in amazingly unique and surprising ways. Okuch, born in South Sudan, became …

1
Opportunities for Witness in Ukraine 47:07

1+ y ago47:07

47:07

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address. In this episode CDM administrator David Nakhla and producer Trish Duggan sit down with OPC missionary Heero Hacquebord, MTW Ukraine country director, Doug Shepherd and L'viv Crates for Ukraine warehouse manager Ruslan. This devasta…

1
The Privilege of Serving the Elderly 43:51

1+ y ago43:51

43:51

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address. Have you wondered if it's loving to employ a care facility for your loved one? Or how to know when and how to help manage an elderly loved one's finances? In this episode hosts David Nakhla and Chris Cashen find out more about what…

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Provisional Diaconates in Church Plants 42:24

2y ago42:24

42:24

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address. In this episode, host David Nakhla talks with John Shaw, OPC Home Missions and Church Extension General Secretary; Tyler Detrick, pastor of Light of the Nations OPC in Dayton, OH and former church planter; and Kurt Oliver, elder at…

1
Real World Cases: Be Proactive 42:48

2y ago42:48

42:48

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address. In this episode, four seasoned deacons look at four different cases; three having to do with saints within the congregation and one really unique one regarding a visitor to Vacation Bible School. Deacon and CDM member, Tim Hopper f…

1
A Deacon's Personal Library 48:18

2y ago48:18

48:18

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address. In this episode, Shiloh OPC deacon and OPC CDM member, Tim Hopper and Rev. C. N. Willborn, pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, talk books—books specifically helpful for deacons to have in their per…

1
Encouragement for Church-Wide Ministry Projects 30:41

2y ago30:41

30:41

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address. In this episode, host David Nakhla talks with Trinity OPC, Hatboro, Pa. deacon Dave Askey about his church's involvement in the recent denomination-wide ministry project, Crates for Ukraine. Dave shares details about how his church…

1
A Study of Acts 6 with Regional Home Missionary Charles Biggs 43:53

2y ago43:53

43:53

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address. In this episode, Rev. Chris Cashen, pastor of Trinity Reformed OPC in Lanham, Maryland and member of the OPC Committee on Diaconal Ministries is joined by Rev. Charles R. Biggs, Regional Home Missionary for the Orthodox Presbyteria…

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A Chat with Chris Verdick, OPC Uganda Mission Clinic Administrator 43:25

2y ago43:25

43:25

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address. In this episode, David Nakhla visits Chris Verdick, the administrator of the OPC Uganda Mission's Akisyon A Yesu Presbyterian Clinic in Karamoja, Uganda. Chris and his family have been serving in rural Uganda for over a decade. Lis…

1
Real World Cases: Walk-Ins Part 2 24:26

2y ago24:26

24:26

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address. You may remember our January 1 episode, where three deacons discuss practical methods for dealing with walk-in situations. This episode is a continuation of that conversation; same three deacons sit down with host David Nakhla: Joh…

1
Fingerprints from the Pews: Crates for Ukraine 58:34

2y ago58:34

58:34

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address. In this episode OPC CDM Administrator David Nakhla is joined by OPC Communications Coordinator Jamie Dean to look back on a recent trip to Ukraine, where they, as two members of a four-person team, were able to follow the Crates fo…

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NDS IV 2022 Plenary Session: The Deacon and His Congregation 1:23:54

2y ago1:23:54

1:23:54

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address. In this episode, Rev. Dr. A. Craig Troxel addresses the entire NDS IV 2022 group in his plenary session, "The Deacon and His Congregation." Rev. Troxel looks at the Confession of Faith chapter 26, "Of the Communion of Saints". Grab…

1
Neon Kentucky: Six Months After the Flood 25:58

2y ago25:58

25:58

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address. This episode is an interview our producer, Trish Duggan, had with OPC mission-work, Neon Reformed's elder Seth Long. His description of the current landscape of Neon is powerful, "The whole thing looks like a scene from The Hunger …

1
International Conference of Reformed Churches (ICRC) Diaconal Committee 27:10

2y ago27:10

27:10

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address. In this episode, David Nakhla takes the show on the road to Namibia, in southern Africa to interview the International Conference of Reformed Churches (ICRC) Diaconal Committee. This seven-member group from six continents meets qua…

1
Church Life and Ministry During War 18:39

2y ago18:39

18:39

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address. In this episode, we present the audio from the outstanding video produced by Mission to the World (PCA), of OPC Missionary to Ukraine, Heero Hacquebord. In case you missed it or were unable to take the time to watch the video, this…

1
NDS IV 2022 Plenary Session: Summit Devotional 28:15

2+ y ago28:15

28:15

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address. In this episode, we feature a popular OPC National Diaconal Summit IV plenary talk. Pastor Nathan Trice, Resurrection OPC, Matthews, NC, finishes out the Summit with a devotional chock-full of encouragement for deacons as they prep…

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Real World Cases: Walk-Ins 34:02

2+ y ago34:02

34:02

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address. This episode is an exciting one! Our first "Real World Cases" episode will kick off 2023 for The Reformed Deacon. This one focuses on walk-ins and provides numerous practical methods for stewarding unexpected encounters. Three seas…

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NDS IV 2022 Plenary Session: The Deacon and His Community 1:16:05

2+ y ago1:16:05

1:16:05

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address. In this episode, we continue with the OPC National Diaconal Summit IV 2022 recordings as Rev. Al Tricarico brings us “The Deacon and His Community”. This one is chock full of insights and practical takeaways for deacons, as well as…

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NDS IV 2022 Plenary Session: The Ministry That Deacons Need 41:08

2+ y ago41:08

41:08

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address. This month we return to the Summit recordings, where you'll hear Rev. Ron Pearce as he leads the Summit’s Friday worship service. He asks the question, who was right in Luke 10: Mary, who sat at Jesus’ feet or Martha, who was busy …

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Neon Disaster Response 47:50

2+ y ago47:50

47:50

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address. In this episode of The Reformed Deacon, you’ll listen in on an information session held for OPC Disaster Response registrants held on Monday, September 19, 2022 regarding the disaster response effort in Neon, Kentucky. As many of y…

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NDS IV 2022 Workshop: Your Diaconate and Your Denomination 1:31:51

2+ y ago1:31:51

1:31:51

What did you think? Text us by clicking here! We are unable to reply on this app, so include phone # or email address. In this special series, we are releasing the audio versions of the plenaries and workshops from the OPC National Diaconal Summit IV, held June 2-4, in Wheaton, Illinois. There is so much good content in here, we decided to go ahead…

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