Diakonia, the Church at Work
Do you want to see the Church at work? This little book by Rev. Ralph Kee, veteran church planter in Boston, helps us get a handle on what the Bible calls “diakonia” and what we call “the deaconate.” Diakonia, we will discover, is much more than just a religious word. Diakonia moves us quickly from words to action, for it is, in fact, the life of service the church carries out in the world. In our day, as in Jesus’ day, as in the Apostle Paul’s day, diakonia carried out in the power of the Holy Spirit is still absolutely critical to the work of a credible church.
Over time, you would think churches in the city would be less apt to wear their faith on their sleeves. But a look at a large group of newer church communities in Boston over the last ten years challenges such conventional wisdom.
Churches in Boston are answering the divine knock at the door. And the results are encouraging.
Boston is often described as secular, but these stories from churches in the area will stir your faith and expand your vision for what God is doing in the city.
In the last 10 years, pastors have faced unprecedented challenges in shepherding their congregations. How did pastors in Boston hold up under the pressure?
There are about 250 Black churches in Boston facing multiple challenges. To leverage their collective strength, almost a dozen of them came together to build relationships for the betterment of the community.
Churches have experienced plenty of change and faced much upheaval over the last 10 years. If you could take a snapshot of your church before and after that period, what would it look like? Would you see any big structural changes? How would the leadership of your church have changed? What about the congregation?
How has the church landscape in Boston changed over the last ten years? EGC’s Applied Research team analyzes the data from before-and-after snapshots of a group of newer churches between 2014 and 2024.
The arts are an important opportunity for spiritual formation. How can churches reach unbelievers through the arts while caring for the creatives in their pews at the same time?
Two church leaders participating in the BBCVP’s Thriving Initiative shared their strategies for serving the community and keeping their congregants safe from COVID during worship services.
Why EGC’s new “Fact Friday” series explores the church’s history and legacy in Boston one short video at a time.