PASTORING 101 CARE PASTORS AND CARE LEADERS TRAINING

Transcription

1 PASTORING 101 CARE PASTORS AND CARE LEADERS TRAINING The City Church Pastor Wendell Smith 1

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3 Thank you for helping us care for the Members of The City Church! Pastoring people is not difficult. It simply requires love for people, and sensitivity to the Lord who loves them even more! A little bit of care and concern goes a long way in ministering to people. Some tender loving care, some words of encouragement, a gentle touch on the shoulder, a few minutes of undivided attention and some warm kindness- all minister life to others. As you receive this training on how to be more effective in helping to care for the members of our church, we pray that the Lord will birth some things in your spirit. We trust you will grow in your ability to relate to people and to love them in effective ways. Thank you for investing your time and life and energy in the well-being of the Lord s church- His people. The pay is slim, but the rewards are wonderful! Your efforts in serving the saints of God will be fulfilling and gratifying as you partner together with your Pastors and the Holy Spirit to edify the church and help us reap a great harvest of souls for the name of the Lord Jesus. Pastors Wendell & Gini Smith 3

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5 SECTION 1: THE VISION FOR MULTITUDES GOD PROMISED ABRAHAM, ISAAC AND JACOB MULTITUDES OF CHILDREN: 1. His seed would be like the dust (Genesis 13:16; 28:14) 2. His seed would be like the stars (Genesis 15:5;22:17; 26:4) 3. His seed would be like the sand on the seashore (Genesis 22:17) 4. His seed would be thousands of ten thousands (Genesis 24:60) 5. His seed would be an assembly of peoples (Genesis 28:3) 6. His seed would be nations (Genesis 17:6; 35:11;48:19) 7. His seed would be multitudes of people (Genesis 48:4,16,19) WE WILL MULTIPLY We are Abraham s seed and heirs according to the Promise! And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:29 (NKJV) 1. Multitudes of people followed Jesus (Matthew 9) 2. The Early church multiplied greatly (Acts) 3. We are Abraham s seed according to the promise (Galatians 3:29; Hebrews 6) 4. The last day church will multiply and reap a great harvest (Matthew 13) 5

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7 SECTION 2: THE MINISTRY PHILOSOPHY OF THE CITY CHURCH THE CITY CHURCH STRATEGIES FOR GROWTH: 1. WE TRUST IN THE SUPERNATURAL POWER OF GOD But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat." Matthew 14:16 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:5 The Supernatural Feeding of the Multitudes Matthew s Gospel: Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. Matthew 14:19 Mark s Gospel: Then He commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds and in fifties. Mark 6:39-40 Luke s Gospel: For there were about five thousand men. Then He said to His disciples, Make them sit down in groups of fifty. And they did so, and made them all sit down. Luke 9:14-15 John s Gospel: Then Jesus said, Make the people sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down John 6:10-11 We believe we can supernaturally minister to people through the power of the Holy Spirit as we access divine resources. We believe the Lord will enable us to help meet every need in every person s life. But we can only minister to those who are sitting down and receiving from our ministry. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness Psalms 23:2-3 7

8 Here are insights from the Scriptures and the original languages into what it means to minister to multitudes supernaturally and how we can accomplish this challenging task: a. You give them something Strong's Greek Number 1325 to give to give something to someone; of one's own accord to give one something, to his advantage; to bestow a gift; to grant, give to one asking, let have; to supply, furnish, necessary things; to give over, deliver; to reach out, extend, present; of a writing; to give over to one's care, intrust, commit; something to be administered; to give or commit to some one something to be religiously observed; to give what is due or obligatory, to pay: wages or reward; to furnish, endue; to cause, profuse, give forth from one's self; to give, hand out lots; to appoint to an office; to cause to come forth; to give one to someone as his own; as an object of his saving care; to give one to someone, to follow him as a leader and master; to give one to someone to care for his interests; to give one to someone to whom he already belonged, to return; to grant or permit one; to commission b. Make them (Sit down) Strong's Greek Number 4160 to make; with the names of things made, to produce, construct, form, fashion, etc.; to be the authors of, the cause; to make ready, to prepare; to produce, bear, shoot forth; to acquire, to provide a thing for one's self; to make a thing out of something; to (make i.e.) render one anything; to (make i.e.) constitute or appoint one anything, to appoint or ordain one that; to (make i.e.) declare one anything; to put one forth, to lead him out; to make one do something; cause one to; to be the authors of a thing (to cause, bring about); to do; to act rightly, do well; to carry out, to execute; to do a thing unto one; to do to one; with designation of time: to pass, spend; to celebrate, keep; to make ready, and so at the same time to institute, the celebration of the Passover; to perform: to a promise c. He Commanded them (to Sit down) Strong's Number: 2753 Greek Word: keleuo "to urge, to incite, to order, command" d. To sit down Strong's Hebrew Number 7257 to stretch oneself out, lie down, lie stretched out; to lie down, lie; to cause to lie down; laying (stones) Strong's Greek Number 0377 to lie back, lie down, to recline at a table, to sit back. Strong's Greek Number 0347 to lean against, lean upon, to lay down, to make or bid to recline Strong's Greek Number 2625 in the NT in reference to eating, to make to recline, to recline (at a table) 8

9 e. In Ranks, Groups or Companies Strong's Number: 4849 Greek Word: sumposion "denotes a drinking together (sun, "with," pino, "to drink"), a drinkingparty;" hence, by metonymy, "any table party or any company arranged as a party." In Mark 6:39 lit., "companies-companies" (i.e., by companies). Strong's Greek Number 4237 Greek Word: prasia a plot of ground, a garden bed; Hebrew idiom i.e. they reclined in ranks or divisions, so that several ranks formed, as it were separate plots; (probably from prason, "a leek"), is used metaphorically in Mark 6:40 of "ranks" of persons arranged in orderly groups. Strong's Greek Number 2828 a hut erected to pass the night in; a tent; anything to recline on; a chair in which to lean back the head; a reclining chair; a company reclining; a row or party of persons reclining at meal. f. Set Food before them Strong's Greek Number 3908 to place beside or near or set before; food, i.e. food placed on a table; to set before (one) in teaching; to set forth (from one's self), to explain; to place down (from one's self or for one's self) with any one; to deposit; to intrust, commit to one's charge. g. Gather up the fragments Strong's Greek Number 4863 to gather together, to gather; to draw together, collect; of fishes; of a net in which they are caught; to bring together, assemble, collect; to join together, join in one (those previously separated); to gather together by convoking; to be gathered i.e. come together, gather, meet; to lead with one's self; into one's home, i.e. to receive hospitably, to entertain 2. PREACHING, TEACHING & HEALING Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. Matt 9:35 (NKJV) Sundays Wednesdays Other Days HOPE FAITH LOVE Preaching Teaching Healing Corporate Gatherings Classes for Adults, Youth, Kids Small Groups 9

10 3. MEETING THE COMPREHENSIVE NEEDS OF PEOPLE IN THE 21 ST CENTURY CHURCH Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 The Needs of the BODY In the 21 st century, the Church must address the basic, material needs of people. The Needs of the SOUL The Church must help people find wisdom for the basic life skills needed for 21 st Century survival. Food Education Faith Clothing Counseling Hope Shelter Direction Love The Needs of the SPIRIT The 21 st Century Church must lead in meeting the primary spiritual needs of people s lives. 4. BUILDING TOGETHER IN THE 21 ST CENTURY CHURCH "Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone, in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit." Ephesians 2:19-22 A BUILDER is a term we use to describe a member of The City Church who wants to be a participator not just a spectator! God intends for all His people to be in the ministry and involved in serving, ministering and laying down their lives for others. Building the church together: Traditional Church Structure Multi-Ministry Church Structure Pastor BUILDERS Churches that are built on one man or woman will crush that Pastor as the church grows or will be limited in growth depending on how much pressure the Pastor can handle. Churches that are built on a multitude of dedicated disciples can handle more growth as the church increases in number. 10

11 The concept of a BUILDER is taken from several key passages of Scripture: Therefore I positioned men behind the lower parts of the wall, at the openings; Those who built on the wall, and those who carried burdens, loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with the other held a weapon Every one of the builders had his sword girded at his side as he built. And the one who sounded the trumpet was beside me. Nehemiah 4:13-18 "Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone, in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit." Ephesians 2:19-22 (Greek sunoikodomeo, soon-oy-kod-om-eh'-o; to construct, i.e. (pass.) to compose (in company with other Christians, fig.):-build together.) 5. CAST OUR NET ON THE OTHER SIDE And He said to them, Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some. So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish. John 21:6 (NKJV) a. Obedience As a church we are called to listen to the voice of God through the Holy Spirit and obey His commands. Casting our net on the other side means that Jesus, as our Lord and Master, knows people better than we do. If we faithfully obey Him and heed His promptings, we will succeed and prosper in all we do. b. Intercession Waiting on the Lord in prayer and praise will enable us to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit and we will become sensitive to His directives. More time spent in prayer means less time spent in doing things in the flesh and wasting time and resources. c. Reach All People We are called to reach all kinds of people, and in some cases, people others don t want to reach. If we will go after those that nobody wants, God will give us those that everybody is after! As a church, our calling to cast our net on the other side means to go after people on the other side- i.e. youth culture, street people, old people, diseased people, hurting people, lonely people, the poor and the rich and those in need of a saviour, a healer and a church. 11

12 d. Faith Expectations We can believe that if we obey His commands, we will have His results. The results of prayerful and patient obedience, coupled with bold faith, will bring about miracles and supernatural breakthroughs. e. Supernatural Strategies The Holy Spirit is the Master strategist and He will guide us into all truth with a special anointing for miraculous deeds. Good ideas don t necessarily build the Kingdom of God, but God-breathed, Holy Spiritbirthed ideas do! The Lord will be faithful to give us these supernatural strategies if we will be faithful to cast our nets where He tells us to cast them! 12

13 SECTION 3: THE MISSION OF THE CITY CHURCH Every local church should have a sense of destiny and mission given by God. At the heart of that call are the commands of Christ Himself to every church. But each local expression of the Body of Christ has a specific role To play in extending the kingdom of God in their city, their region and around the world. This focused perspective of ministry is what we mean by our vision and mission. GOD S VISION FOR EVERY CHURCH- THE ETERNAL PURPOSES OF GOD ESTABLISHING HIS KINGDOM The ultimate intention of God is to establish His rule and authority in the hearts and lives of people. This happens when people believe the gospel and repent. The born again experience brings them out of darkness and into the light of the Lord and into submission to Christ s authority and Lordship over their lives. From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Matthew 4:17 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord Ephesians 3:10-11 GOD S ULTIMATE INSTRUMENT TO ESTABLISH THE KINGDOM IS THE CHURCH The instrument of God has changed, but the purposes of God have never changed. God used the patriarchs, the judges, the Kings and the prophets to fulfill His plan, but His ultimate instrument to extend His Kingdom is the Church. "on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord Ephesians 3:10-11 Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Luke 9:1-2 13

14 GOD S PURPOSE & MISSION FOR EVERY CHURCH 1. RELATIONSHIP : To worship and glorify God. Genesis 3:8; Ephesians 3:20,21; Matthew 5:13-16; 1 Peter 2:9 2. CHARACTER : To be conformed to the image of Christ. Genesis 1:26; Romans 8:28,29; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Colossians 2:7 3. FUNCTION : To do the works of Jesus. Genesis 1:26,28; Romans 16:20; Matthew 10:7,8; Mark 3:14,15; 1 John 3:8; Acts 10:38 4. REPRODUCTION : To make disciples of all nationalities. Genesis 1:28; Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20; Luke 24:46-49; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 4:12; Acts 20:28; Colossians 1:28 THE WITNESS OF THE CHURCH But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8 1. CITY: Witness in Jerusalem 2. REGION: Witness in Judea. 3. CROSS CULTURAL: Witness to Samaria 4. GLOBAL : Witness to ends of the Earth. THE MISSION OF THE CITY CHURCH "Our mission is to build a New Testament local church and proclaim the good news about Jesus Christ to young and old; rich and poor; red, brown, yellow, black & white and extend the kingdom of God by building people, families, and leaders-first in our city and then in the ends of the earth." This mission statement involves: 1. Building a church on the New Testament pattern. 2. Preaching a message that is truly good news about a good God. 3. Communicating in ways that bridge cultural barriers. 4. The message of the authority of the kingdom and the Lordship of Jesus Christ. 5. An approach of positive edification as the ongoing ministry style of the church. 6. Ministry that begins with the individual and works into every arena of life. 7. Outreach that is proven first at home in our own community. 8. A vision that encompasses the whole world as the Lord enables us. Once we understand God's general mission for His church and God's specific mission for our local church, we must view everything we do, every ministry we launch in light of that perspective and interpret our every decision through that spiritual filter! 14

15 SECTION 4: THE MINISTRY CYCLE OF THE CITY CHURCH EVANGELISTIC PASTORAL TEACHING APOSTOLIC PROPHETIC HARVESTING PASTORING EQUIPPING MOBILIZING INTERCEEDING ENCOUNTERS RETREAT This is a time set aside for new believers to examine their past life and break the strongholds of sin and iniquity. Renouncing Sin MEMBERS SEMINAR This is a one day Seminar taught by the Senior Pastors personally imparting the vision of the Church. Catching the Vision DISCIPLES CLASS This is a weekly class designed to ground new people in the basic truths of the Faith. Laying the Foundations BUILDERS TRAINING This is a training course for all Members, immersing them in the philosophy and DNA of ministry in our church. Commissioning into Ministry LEADERS TRAINING This is a class for those who want to start and lead cell groups in the church. Multiplying the Church Overnight Retreat Saturday Seminar Five Week Classes Four Week Classes Multiple Classes Multiple times a Year hours 3 times a Year 9am-4pm 3 times a Year Sunday/Wednesday 3 times a Year Wednesday Nights 3 times a Year Wednesday Nights 15

16 JESUS AND THE FIVE-FOLD CYCLE: Intercession- Pray the Lord of the Harvest (Matt. 9:38) Harvesting- preach the gospel in other cities (Luke 4:43) Pastoring- he loved him (Mark 10:21) Equipping- he taught them (Matt. 5:2) Mobilizing- so send I you (John 20:21) THE EARLY CHURCH AND THE FIVE-FOLD CYCLE: Intercession- they continued steadfastly in prayers (Acts 2:42) Harvesting- the number of the disciples multiplied (Acts 6:7) Pastoring- shepherd the church of God (Acts 20:28) Equipping- they taught many disciples (Acts 11:26) Mobilizing- separate (them) for the work they sent them away (Acts 13:2,3) THE APOSTLE PAUL AND THE FIVE-FOLD CYCLE: Intercession- I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you (Gal. 4:19) Harvesting- Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel (1 Cor. 9:16) Pastoring- care for the churches ( 2 Cor. 11:28) Equipping- taught you publicly and from house to house (Acts 20:20) Mobilizing- sent our brother with him (2 Cor. 12:18) THE APOSTLE PETER AND THE FIVE-FOLD CYCLE: Intercession- be watchful in your prayers (1 Peter 4:7) Harvesting- be ready to give an answer (1 Peter 3:15,16) Pastoring- shepherd the flock of God which is among you (1 Peter 5:2) Equipping- desire the pure milk of the word that you may grow thereby. (1 Peter.2:2) Mobilizing- proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness. (1 Peter2:9) 16

17 SECTION 5: THE CARE STRATEGY OF THE CITY CHURCH THE CARE STRATEGY Choose wise, understanding, and knowledgeable men from among your tribes, and I will make them heads over you.' And you answered me and said, 'The thing which you have told us to do is good.' "So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and knowledgeable men, and made them heads over you, leaders of thousands, leaders of hundreds, leaders of fifties, leaders of tens, and officers for your tribes. Deuteronomy 1:13-15 (NKJV) "Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. Exodus 18:21 (NKJV) 1. EVERY MEMBER OF OUR CHURCH WILL BE ASSIGNED TO A CARE LEADER AND A CARE PASTOR. The Care Leader is the member s contact person at The City Church. We place people under care leaders according to gender, relationship, age - or where they will best connect. 2. NEW PEOPLE AND THOSE WHO ARE NOT YET MEMBERS are encouraged to be involved, but Care Leaders and Care Pastors will only be held accountable for the list of Members given to them. 3. A CARE LEADER WILL CARE FOR A VARYING NUMBER OF PEOPLE depending on the ministry in which they are a part, but the number of members under a care leader will be approximately EACH CARE LEADER SHOULD HAVE AN ASSISTANT to help them, especially in the case of the Leader being unavailable in a time of need in a Member s life. Leaders should be looking for a faithful person they know to raise up as an Assistant Leader. Before asking that person to be an Assistant, the Care Leader will ask a staff pastor for approval. 5. LEVELS OF LEADERSHIP WILL DEVELOP. Some Care Leaders will be captains over tens, others may become captains over fifties, and others captains over hundreds. Out of this structure may come Care Pastors who will help oversee the pastoral care strategy of the church. 17

18 STRATEGY FOR PASTORING MULTITUDES Senior Pastors and Elders (captains over 1000 s) Staff and Licensed Pastors (captains over 100 s) Care Pastors (captains over 50 s) Care Leaders (captains over 10 s) CARE LISTS The City Church Membership 18

19 THE VISION AND GOALS OF THE CARE STRUCTURE that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 1 Corinthians 12:25 (NKJV) VISION: To provide pastoral care to all the members of our Church, both practically and spiritually. As a Care Pastor and Care Leader responds to the call of God on their life to pastor people, each member will receive love, care and encouragement. Our job is mainly to strengthen and pray for those assigned to us and to point them to the One who is their answer, Jesus. GOALS: 1. PRAY WEEKLY Pray for every member of The City Church and inspire every member to become an intercessor. STRATEGIES: 1. Pray weekly for every person under your care. 2. Pray for specific needs as they arise among your people. 3. Intercede together for urgent issues in our church and our city. 4. Pray over names and photos 2. CONTACT MONTHLY Care for every member of The City Church and encourage others to show care. Care Leaders should inform the Care Pastor of illness, birth of children, a crisis that needs prayer, change of address, etc. STRATEGIES: 1. Call the people on your care list regularly. 2. Invite people into your circle of friendship and prayer. 3. Honor people on special occasions-including sending cards & notes. 4. Greet people by name at Church services. 5. Minister to people on your list including during Church services. 6. Involve others on your list in special church events. 7. Fellowship together with people in your care. 3. MOTIVATE THEM TO GOOD WORKS Meet the practical needs of The City Church membership and mobilize them to help meet the needs of others. STRATEGIES: 1. Respond to all-church calls to special seasons of prayer & fasting. 2. Motivate members to become intercessors. 3. Encourage members to be active in weekly prayer watches and Saturday night intercession. 4. Encourage everyone to help meet the practical needs of the people under your care (finding a job, financial help, question or problem, moving, hospitalization, etc.). 5. Encourage involvement in specific serving ministries in the Church, i.e. parking, greeting, clean up projects, set up projects, volunteer 19

20 custodial, office projects, serving, etc. 6. Get involved in other ministries of the Church - The City Colors Clothing store, City Ministries (food distribution), Bookstore, mission s projects, City Kids, Audio/Visual, etc. 4. MINISTER TO THEM IN EMERGENCIES 1. Care Leader and Care Pastor should work together to meet urgent needs such as: sickness, deaths, hospitalizations, births, etc. 2. In the case of natural disaster or city wide emergency each leader should immediately initiate The City Church Emergency Care Strategy. a. #1 Priority: Contacting and insuring the safety of the Elderly, Disabled and Single Parents b. Implement emergency plan for meeting together in small groups c. Coordinating with the ZONE Pastor to care for the needs of the City Church members THE CARE PASTOR S AND CARE LEADER S QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS FOR A CARE PASTOR AND CARE LEADER: 1. BORN AGAIN, BAPTIZED in water, and baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. 2. FAITHFUL member of The City Church, having completed all 5 TRAKS including Leadership TRAKS. 3. Completed PRAYER Team training. 4. Have a LOVE for people. 5. Be willing and able to give TIME to serve those under your care. In addition to the goals and qualifications of a Care Leader, the Care Pastor is responsible to assist the Staff Pastors in counseling, prayer, pastoral care visits, membership interviews, leadership responsibilities, and communicating members needs and life events to the Staff Pastors. HOW MUCH CARE DOES A CARE PASTOR OR A CARE LEADER GIVE? As we work in showing care toward the Members of our Church, the Holy Spirit will help us in having discernment as to what level of care a person needs. Prayer and sensitivity should be exercised so as to be wise and careful in knowing how to best help and encourage others. DIFFERENT TYPES OF PEOPLE - DIFFERENT TYPES OF CARE Some can feel we are bothering or annoying them by too much contact. Others can be hurt if they do not receive enough. We need to discern where people are on the Care Spectrum and minister to them accordingly. 20

21 CARE SPECTRUM Need Little Care Need Much Care 1. Well-adjusted- Need challenging care 2. Happy - Need less care but fellowship 3. Sensitive- Need mature care 4. Movers- Need little care, but may need direction 5. Bound Up- Need more care with discernment 6. Strong- Need less care, can help care 7. Casual- Need some care depending on response 8. Fearful- Need calm care 9. Discouraged- Need faith care 10. Businessperson- Need more or less care 11. Emotional- Need consistency care 12. Weak- need supportive care 13. Confused- Need wise care 14. Insecure- Need more encouraging care 15. Creative- Need less care but direction 16. Time Conscious- Need Care when they need it 17. Overworked- Need less care but relief 18. Winners- Need less care, but perspective 19. Artistic- Need sensitivity in care 20. Introspective- Need care focused outward 21. On The Edge- Need Band-Aid care, sometimes surgical 22. Mystical- Need practical care 23. Emergency- Need crisis care WHAT YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DO: 1. Counsel every person s problem 2. Correct or rebuke people 3. Defend the Church or listen to criticism 4. Be accountable for their souls 5. Be on the phone for hours with a person 21

22 KEYS TO PASTORAL CARE THE TOP WAYS TO BE MORE PASTORAL WITH PEOPLE 1. AN EYE FOR PEOPLE- Be on the look for people under your care. a. Look for them in the church gathering b. Before and after meetings c. Special events d. Prayer meetings- pray with them e. Look people in the eye 2. SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT- Discern needs in people around you. a. Sensitivity to people s needs b. Read eyes and body language c. Focus on them, not on you d. Ask for Holy Spirit insight 3. ACCESS DIVINE RESOURCES- Use the power of God as an advantage in relating to people. a. Holy Spirit s help and the power of God b. Gifts of the Spirit and the power of revelation c. The Word of God and the power of Truth d. Prayer and the power of God s presence 4. CONVERSATION- Take initiative and talk to people a. Walk up to them boldly b. Develop conversation starters c. Believe people like you d. Encourage people e. Tell them good things about them f. Ask questions g. Be a listener 5. RELEVANCE- Learn to relate to people a. A sense of Humor b. Activities c. Common interests d. Daily events 22

23 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE CITY CHURCH CARE STRUCTURE: DO YOU MEET AS A GROUP? The Care Structure and Strategy is not planned around a gathering time, but the establishing of individual relationships with the goal of personally touching every member of our church. Our objective is to ensure every member of the church is being ministered to in a personal way. However, we encourage members to become part of our small group cell ministry. WHAT IF THE LIST OF PEOPLE UNDER MY CARE GROWS LARGER THAN ONE LEADER CAN HANDLE? Care Lists that grow larger than 10 or 12 people should be divided with one of the Assistant Care Leaders. The Care Pastor would need to be consulted and work together with the Care Leader to make any needed changes in the Care Lists. DOES A CARE PASTOR OR CARE LEADER HAVE TO SOLVE EVERYBODY S PROBLEM? No. Our focus is personal care and cultivating relationships. If some issues arise and a Care Leader or Care Pastor is able to help a brother or sister in need they should use the opportunity to pray and encourage them with the Word of God. WHEN WE ARE PRAYING FOR PEOPLE, HOW DO WE PRAY? When we pray for people, we should pray specifically for their need and be in agreement for God to answer those prayers. These needs might include health, finances, a fear, a burden, spiritual growth, guidance or a relationship problem. Pray the Word of God in relation to their problem. WHAT IF A PERSON DOESN T WANT OUR CARE? We will never meet everyone s needs or expectations. Some people need less care or refuse to admit that they need any. We can only minister to those sitting down in the spirit. WHAT ABOUT NEW PEOPLE COMING IN, WHO ARE NOT MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH? Although our primary responsibility is to care for the members of our church, we will certainly do everything possible to minister to new people as they express a desire for care and involvement. CAN A CARE PASTOR OR CARE LEADER MEET WITH MEMBERS OUTSIDE OF THE CORPORATE CHURCH GATHERINGS? Yes, of course. Men or women may want to meet together for fellowship or other activities at other times and that would be encouraged. 23

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