Shows
The Reformed DeaconHelping Those Struggling with Mental HealthWhat 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 Pella Counseling. Together, they offer deep and compassionate insight into how deacons—and entire congregations—can come alongside those facing mental health struggles such as anxiety, depression, and grief. This conversation is rich with practical suggestions and...2025-05-011h 29
OPC Ruling Elder PodcastEncouraging Covenant YouthThe Ruling Elder Podcast talks with Roger Wagner and David Winslow about ruling elders encouraging covenant youth. One of the tasks of ruling elders, as set out by BCO X:3, is that ruling elders should "nourish and guard the children of the covenant”.Rev. Roger Wagner, now a retired minister, was ordained to the ministry in 1973, serving ten years at Sonora, then he became pastor of Bayview OPC in Chula Vista, California in 1983 where he served for the next forty years until his retirement. Ruling Elder David Winslow has served as a ruling elder for over forty yea...2025-04-1552 minThe Reformed DeaconFlood InsuranceWhat 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 firm in Pennsylvania. Together, they explore the topic of flood insurance—its importance, how it works, and its role in our responsibility as stewards of what God has entrusted to us. They also discuss how deacons ca...2025-04-0122 minOPC Ruling Elder PodcastElders and women's ministryAnneke Fesko and Laurie Tricarico discuss how elders can encourage women in the church.Anneke currently serves the OPC as Care Coordinator for Ministers’ Wives and works for the OPC Committee on Ministerial Care. (Committee of Walking Hugs) She is married to John, an ordained OPC minister and theology professor at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi. They have three children, two sons in high school and a daughter in elementary school, and live in Madison, Mississippi.Laurie serves as the coordinator of the Crisis Care Team at New Life OPC in Williamsport PA, where sh...2025-03-1542 minThe Reformed DeaconHelping Your Congregation Understand a Deacon's RoleWhat 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 consider practical ways to help your congregation understand that a deacon's role extends beyond taking the offering and performing building maintenance.Referenced in this episode:The Letters of John Newton (Hardcover Banner of T...2025-03-0137 minThe Reformed DeaconPractical Disaster ResponseWhat 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 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...2025-01-0157 minThe Reformed DeaconThinking Outside the BoxWhat 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 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 t...2024-12-011h 12The Reformed DeaconListener Questions: 1 Timothy 5What 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 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. 2024-11-1535 minOPC Ruling Elder PodcastEncouraging the Pastor's WifeIn this podcast Anneke Fesko talks about how ruling elders can encourage a pastor’s wife. Anneke was hired a little over two years ago for the newly created position of Care Coordinator for Ministers’ Wives and works for the OPC Committee on Ministerial Care. (Committee of Walking Hugs)Anneke is the wife to John, an ordained OPC minister and theology professor at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi. They were married 22 years ago while John was a church planter for the OPC. They have three children, two sons in high school and a daughter in elementary scho...2024-11-1559 minThe Reformed DeaconHow Deacons Can Care for Their PastorWhat 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 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...2024-11-0145 minThe Reformed DeaconHow CDM and CMC Support Local DeaconsWhat 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 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...2024-10-0151 min