In Mark 12:33, Jesus summarizes the entire Old Testament in one great commandment. Basically, love God and love your neighbor. The rest of the New Testament takes time to expand those old covenant themes into a new covenant reality. So we already know that we are to look out for what's best for others, not just ourselves. But what is the big picture view of that here at GCC?
I call it Overlapping Systems of Congregational Care, which sounds pretty fancy, don't you think? But really, when you get down to it, a system of care is something in place that helps us live out love of neighbor for each person who walks in our door.
Friendship is the most normal and informal system of care at GCC. God works through our friendships to build us and grow us. They say the average person knows 62 people at their church. Those 62 people can range from mere acquaintences to friends and hopefully a few intimate confidantes. We work to make GCC a place where you can make friends. That's part of the reason why our Foundations class will often divide up into groups to discuss things. It's also why we have three large all-church events planned for this year (March 8 is coming up next) and several events specifically geared for men (breakfast this Saturday!) and women (brunch on Feb.22).
Small groups are another system of care available to you. Bible study, fellowship, and prayer are the three components built into every small group. Bible study feeds our minds with God's truth found in Scripture. Fellowship is that gradual work of friendship that takes place over time as a group interacts together. Prayer seals those things together as we ask God to grow us in our interaction one with another. Small groups are most fundamental way around here that the body of Christ is there for each other.
But what about when something more is required? Let's be honest. Sometimes our friends don't know how to come alongside us. Sometimes more than sharing and praying with your small group is needed. Some of the problems we encounter require us to find extra care. We need another system of care to overlap those that we already have in place.
Stephen Ministry is one such system of care. On February 23rd we will commission our first team of Stephen Ministers at GCC. Each of these men and women have completed 50 hours of training in knowing how to come alongside those who feel like they're drowning in the midst of life's struggles. Stephen ministers come from our congregation. They are trained to listen, not to give advice. They are trained to help you talk, not to talk at you. They are assigned to those who need them by referral from a pastor or Stephen leader. They are caring, helpful, and confidential. We're really excited to launch this new system of care!
Another new and overlapping system of care is our partnership with Journey Counseling Ministries. Journey provides counselors who are Biblically-based and clinically trained and cost less than most outside counseling agencies. Harriet Warf, LSW, will take appointments at Grace on Fridays beginning this week. To make an appointment, call Harriet directly at 304-667-4441. For more information, or to determine if professional counseling is the next step for you, contact the church office or me directly; I'd be glad to help you. We do have some financial assistance available for this.
I wish I had a different name for Overlapping Systems of Congregational Care, but I don't. If you come up with one that's catchy, please let me know! In the meantime, take advantage of these things for your own sake and for the sake of your neighbor. We've put them here for you and for God's glory.
In Him,
Tag