161: Why is a care ministry strategy important?

11/14/24 • 38 min

In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, host Laura Howe and guest Rebecca Bailey dive into the importance of strategic planning in care ministry. They discuss the evolving role of care in the church, emphasizing how intentional planning can help churches better support both congregants and the broader community without overwhelming resources. The conversation covers topics like balancing in-reach and outreach, developing volunteer capacity, and creating sustainable support structures. Rebecca also shares insights from leading a care ministry cohort, underscoring the need for clear priorities and collaboration to meet the real needs of people in crisis.

Quotes

"Care is more than casseroles. It's about showing up consistently and meaningfully for people, sometimes even just sitting with them."
"We often forget that care ministry is not just about Sunday; it's about becoming a community hub of support and connection throughout the week."
"People come to churches hoping for more than a service—they seek a family, someone to walk with them in their struggles."
"A strategic care ministry knows its strengths and limitations, recognizing that no church can be a one-stop shop for every need."
"If we’re truly committed to caring, we need to plan for it. Otherwise, we’ll end up putting out fires rather than offering meaningful support."

Resources

Connect with Hope Made Strong

Website: HopeMadeStrong.org

Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube

Quotes

"Care is more than casseroles. It's about showing up consistently and meaningfully for people, sometimes even just sitting with them."
"We often forget that care ministry is not just about Sunday; it's about becoming a community hub of support and connection throughout the week."
"People come to churches hoping for more than a service—they seek a family, someone to walk with them in their struggles."
"A strategic care ministry knows its strengths and limitations, recognizing that no church can be a one-stop shop for every need."
"If we’re truly committed to caring, we need to plan for it. Otherwise, we’ll end up putting out fires rather than offering meaningful support."

Resources

Connect with Hope Made Strong

Website: HopeMadeStrong.org

Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube

Previous Episode

160: Care Ministry Cohort: Stories from Alumni

Whether it’s a new team, a church transition, or some other circumstance, care teams are often left to piece together how to create a sustainable and helpful system for creating cultures of care. Today, Janelle and Katie share their experience entering into the Care Ministry Cohort, where the community, helpful resources, and coaching made all the difference. You can apply for the 2025 Care Ministry Cohort, beginning in January, and begin a guided journey toward cultivating a culture of care at your church!

Quotes

The cohort came at the perfect time.
It is ok to be patient and wait.
We’re not trying to start from the ground up. But we’re trying to renovate.
The cohort did a great job of starting at the basics.
We don’t want cookie-cutter care ministries. We want care ministries that look and feel like your congregation.

Resources

CareMinistryCohort.com

Connect with Hope Made Strong

Website: HopeMadeStrong.org

Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube

Next Episode

162:Coaching with Care: Developing a Care Team with Center of Hope

In this episode of the Care Ministry Podcast, host Laura Howe sits down with Pastor Tina Drysdale of Center of Hope Victory Church in Kincardine, Ontario. They discuss the challenges and opportunities of developing a care ministry in a small-town church setting, particularly in the wake of the pandemic. Tina shares how her congregation has embraced a diverse demographic, responded to community needs through practical outreach, and fostered hope and healing. Laura provides insightful guidance on building sustainable care systems, training volunteers, and balancing the many roles of a pastor in a small church.

Quotes

"To have a Center of Hope, we need to be able to offer hope, which ultimately is Jesus, but alongside that is being His hands and feet in practical ways." – Tina Drysdale
"Care ministry is less about having the gift of compassion and more about the gift of administration. It's about coordinating, delegating, and supervising care." – Laura Howe
"Hope becomes hopelessness if you don't know the way and don't have a pathway out." – Laura Howe
"We took $9,000 saved for a church building and invested it back into our community during COVID, and God blessed us with a building shortly after." – Tina Drysdale
"By creating different entry points for volunteers with varying capacities, you allow care to flow both ways—blessing both the giver and the receiver." – Laura Howe

Resources

Connect with Hope Made Strong

Website: HopeMadeStrong.org

Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube