Pastoral crises come to every church. In his 30 years as lead pastor at New Life Presbyterian Church of Dresher, PA, Ron Lutz saw how care teams can provide a deeper level of support for people requiring extended and intensive care. He answers some questions about how care teams work: What is a care team? Care teams serve in pastoral situations where the needs require … [Read more...]
How we provide (sustainable) holistic care
What is holistic care ministry, and why is it important? Wendy Herrberg, care ministry director at Indian Creek Christian Church, “The Creek,” in Indianapolis, IN (who formerly worked as an RN in an oncology hematology unit), and Susie Howard, assistant care ministry director, explain how their church’s care ministry views each facet of an individual’s life—the physical, … [Read more...]
Caring for your church after the dismissal of a pastor (and for yourself)
An interview with Rev. Tim Sharpe When a senior pastor suddenly must resign, the effects on the congregation are going to range from bewilderment to anger. The remaining leadership must help their congregation deal with this range of unpleasant, unsettling reactions. While every case will have unique elements, we thought it might be helpful to read about some possible … [Read more...]
How to care for church members shaken by a pastoral scandal
We recently interviewed Phil Sasser, pastor and elder at Sovereign Grace Church in Apex, NC. Phil shared with us his views on church polity, specifically the need for establishing clear organization in the face of difficult situations like the removal of a pastor as a result of a scandal or other type of misconduct. While some of Phil’s responses are reflective of his … [Read more...]
Teach others to encourage skillfully
If you’ve been involved in ministry for any length of time, then Paul’s concern for the Thessalonian church and for Timothy will resonate with you: But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus … [Read more...]