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Caring Criticism: Building Bridges Instead of Walls
Price: $9.95
ChristCare Series Banner
Price: $79.95
ChristCare Series Lapel Pin
Price: $5.95
Pass the Word Packet
Nuts & Bolts Issues for Small Group Leaders
Price: $11.95
Bringing New Pastors Up to Speed with the ChristCare Series
Congregations regularly experience changes in pastoral leadership.
- If you receive or select a new pastor, how can your Equippers Team best help him or her get on board with your ChristCare Small Group Ministry?
- If you're a new pastor who finds yourself leading a congregation well established in ChristCare Small Group Ministry but you know very little about this ministry system, how can you find out what you need to know to help the ministry thrive?
Here are some valuable ways Equippers Teams can help new pastors get "up to speed" with ChristCare Group Ministry.
- Provide your new pastor with an up-to-date Pass the Word Packet.
- Encourage your new pastor to explore the Stephen Ministries Web site at www.stephenministries.org to get familiar with what the ChristCare Series involves. New pastors can find a great deal of information about:
- Direct your new pastor to the page titled "Especially for Pastors" in the ChristCare "Basic Information" section of the Stephen Ministries Web site. He or she can browse through facts and insights of special interest to pastors.
- In the ChristCare Equipper Pages you'll also find a section called "Especially for Pastors." On that page you'll find a number of items that may be of special interest to your pastor. You may want to share some of these items: Remember, though, that if your pastor hasn't yet attended a ChristCare Series Equipper's Training Course, he or she won't have access to this "Especially for Pastors" page--only the "Especially for Pastors" page in the Basic Information area of the ChristCare Small Groups section of the Stephen Ministries Web site. Consider printing out information you think will be of value.
- Note, too: There's a wealth of information of interest to your pastor in your Equipper's Manual as well. Consider sharing some or all of the following documents with your pastor:
- "Overview: The ChristCare Series System" (I.[8])
- "ChristCare Equipper Job Description" (I.B.[2])
- "Building a Foundation for ChristCare Group Ministry" (I.C.[1])
- "The Pastor's Role in Building a Foundation for ChristCare Group Ministry" (I.C.[2])
- "How Pastors Can Tangibilify Their Support for ChristCare Group Ministry" (I.C.[9])
Of course, the absolute best way for pastors to get on board with ChristCare is by attending a ChristCare Series Equipper's Training Course.
Many pastors will want to schedule an ETC as soon as possible if they'll be overseeing ChristCare Group Ministry. By understanding what ChristCare Groups do and how Equippers direct and lead the system, pastors can readily understand the ways ChristCare Group Ministry can contribute to the congregation's growth and vision--and how they can provide the pastoral support to help the system thrive.
Other pastors may not be able to fit an ETC into their schedules for a while. That's okay, too. By providing a basic introduction to ChristCare Ministry (through the Pass the Word Packet and the basic information about ChristCare on our Web site) and by sharing a selection of important resources from your Equipper's Manual with your new pastor, you can bring him or her up to speed in no time!
A friendly caveat: Remember that new pastors typically have a lot on their plates when they arrive at a new congregation. Provide the information they need in manageable portions. Don't come in with a stack of documents a foot high and leave it on his or her desk--they'll never be read! Keep a steady stream of information coming--and provide a little background for each piece that you leave with your new pastor. He or she will appreciate your consideration.
And of course, if you or your pastor has questions, call us at (314) 428-2600 and ask to speak with a consultation staff member. We'll be glad to help!