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Pass the Word Packet

A Heart and a Vision
for ChristCare

First Congregational United Church
of Christ, Elgin, Illinois

By Laura Wasson Warfel

"On Sunday morning, it's likely that everyone is sitting next to a ChristCare Group Leader or member," said Dr. John D. Kauffman, a lay member of First Congregational, who serves as one of its Equippers. "At least half of those in worship are involved with ChristCare Groups. We have eleven active groups right now, with more getting ready to form. And we've only been enrolled in the ChristCare Series since 2003."

First Congregational United Church of Christ in Elgin, Illinois, has a heart and a vision for ChristCare Small Group Ministry--and already is seeing great benefits.

"The ChristCare model is so effective," John said. "Community building and care in a ChristCare Group is much more powerful than having a cookie with someone at a church fellowship event. Missional service has helped us think outside of ourselves, outside the walls of the church."

A New Vision for the Congregation

ChristCare Equippers and group leaders at First Congregational do an excellent job casting a vision for ChristCare--and inviting people to be part of a group. As a result, groups are growing, attendance at group meetings is faithful and regular, and ChristCare Groups are making a great difference in the congregation.

"In many cases, those now involved in ChristCare Groups are those who were once doing nothing else but going to church on Sunday," John said. "ChristCare gives them a stronger connection with the church and our Christian faith. Group members range in age from youth to 90-plus.

"ChristCare gives all of us an opportunity to serve one another and fellowship with one another in a closer, more connected way," John said.

ChristCare is also an important part of this congregation's outreach into the community. "Group members are inviting their neighbors," John said. "This is a way for others to get acquainted with our beliefs and our members. We have at least six new members in our church because of ChristCare Groups."

Effective ChristCare
Group Leaders

Identifying, training, and supporting excellent leaders are crucial steps in building a successful ChristCare Group Ministry.

"The enthusiasm of ChristCare Group Leaders and group members is important, too," John said. "We work hard to identify those who have the passion to lead or participate in our groups. It's crucial that they have a strong commitment to the ministry."

First Congregational is intentional about recruiting and selecting group leaders. "We go through the church directory to identify potential leaders," John said. "Each gets a phone call from a ChristCare Group Leader or an Equipper inviting him or her to become a group leader."

Those who accept go through ChristCare Group Leader training, led by the congregation's Equippers. "In the final part of training, each new leader selects a group focus and a group name," John said.

At the completion of training, new ChristCare Group Leaders are commissioned--and current leaders are recommissioned. Each group leader introduces his or her group to the congregation and tells how to join the group.

What has led to this congregation's success with ChristCare?

Pastoral Support

A key element to the success of ChristCare at First Congregational is the strong pastoral support.

"Our senior pastor, Rev. Dr. Paris Donehoo, attended one of the first Equipper training events back in the 1990s [while serving in a previous congregation]," said John. "He brought ChristCare to our church. He and Rev. Lois Bucher--along with myself, a lay Equipper--make up our Equippers Team. Both pastors are extraordinarily supportive--their nurture and encouragement have been so helpful. They provide wonderful backing."

Patty Scroggins, who leads a ChristCare Group called the Sonshine Readers, agreed. "When our senior pastor Dr. Paris Donehoo came five years ago, one of his goals was to bring ChristCare to this congregation," she said. "It's made a huge difference. Now, for instance, many of our new members go through Beginnings¹ as part of the new member orientation--and for the past three years, each class of new members has formed its own ChristCare Group.

First Congregational's
picnic and hayride

"The pastors make sure there's a ChristCare Group article in every church newsletter. When they find out that someone might fit well in a specific group, they'll encourage the group leader to invite that person to join. When they learn about a need for help, they'll suggest that a particular group take it on as a missional service project.

"They talk about ChristCare. They announce that groups are looking for new members. They're involved with the SEA Groups. They do whatever they can to promote this ministry. And their efforts have been well worth it--ChristCare has really changed this congregation. People are really excited about ChristCare."

First Congregational United Church of Christ is growing both spiritually and in membership, and the congregation is brimming with enthusiasm and excitement. "Because of ChristCare, our church is enriched," John said. "Many more of us are involved in meaningful, faithful relationships with Jesus Christ and one another. I can feel the enthusiasm and energy every Sunday morning."

1 Beginnings: A ChristCare Group Experience is the eight-week course that all ChristCare Groups go through to learn how to be a ChristCare Group. They build a covenant and experience the four ChristCare Group activities--community building and care, Biblical Equipping, prayer and worship, and missional service.

Laura Wasson Warfel, a Stephen Leader and Stephen Minister, is a professional writer, editor, and presenter. From 1991 to 1995 she served as communications specialist at Stephen Ministries and helped develop the ChristCare Series. She has led more than 100 Stephen Series Caring Ministry Workshops. Her articles have appeared at writersdigest.com and in the Southern Business Journal and The Lookout magazines. She serves as a deaconess, ministry team leader, Sunday school teacher, small group leader, disaster team volunteer, and tutor at First Christian Church, Herrin, Illinois.

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