Congregational Care Plan
I recently investigated Stephen Ministries as a potential for our church. It's a great program that may work for us in the future, but not for now. Instead, we're working on the following plan:
All Members
Goal: Spiritual and Emotional Health
- Responsible for Friends, Neighbors, and Family, regardless of church affiliation.
- Report to: God
Pastor:
Goal: Spiritual Health
Responsible for Members of Effingham.
- Available for referrals with no church affiliation.
- Hospital visits and Emergencies
- Pre/Post surgery.
- Pastoral Counseling.
- General Concern (Phone or visit).
- Homebound visits (6 week rotation).
- Reports to: Session
Elder
Goal: Spiritual Health, Communication
Responsible for members of Zone.
- Hospital Visit (coordinate with Pastor).
- Emergencies when Pastor unavailable.
- Phone Calls when member absent 3rd time.
- Reminders of pertinent events.
- Reports to: Pastor
Deacon
Goal: Physical well-being
Responsible for members of Zone.
- Help with practical recovery, chores, repairs, etc.
- Oversees Member Benevolence
- Reports to: Zone Elder
Care Calls
Goal: Emotional Health
Responsible for those on Care Call list (homebound, nursing home, recent hospitalization)
- Phone call and/or card (2 week rotation)
- Visits at own discretion.
- Report to: Zone Elder
Women’s Circles & Men of the Church
Goal: Emotional Health
Responsible to members of Circles/MOC
- Provide meals as needed.
- Send Cards as needed.
- Report to: Circle Leader or MOC Leader
Prayer Chain
Goal: Communicating prayer needs at request of family.
Responsible to those making prayer requests.
- Calls next person on prayer list.
- Commits to immediate prayer for the request.
- Reports to: Next person on prayer chain
In addition, someone has suggested a prayer team to serve in addition to the prayer chain. I think this is a good possibility and would provide another prayer ministry different from what we already have. This quote from Stephen Ministries is right on: "The church is the Care Giver. God is the Cure Giver. We are responsible for the process, He is responsible for the result."
What are your thoughts; comments? How does your church care for its people?
Image: Bergairah
