Changes in pastoral care of GFChurch

It’s normal to strive to improve any aspect of a ministry, especially when it comes to the pastoral care of church members. We understand that we’re called by God to equip the church for the work of ministry (Eph 4:11-16), so we periodically reexamine and reassess how well we’re doing this. At our last prayer retreat we looked into prayer and the subsequent work of member care and we concluded that improvements could be made to the current biannual prayer and contact of every church member.

So, we have decided that it is time to come back to the so-called pastoral sectors. This means that every one of the 9 elders in the church is responsible for a specific group of brothers and sisters whom he will periodically reach out to, pray for, and keep accountable. Apostle Paul modeled this and encourages others to do the same:

“…how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house…” (Acts 20:20)

“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.” (Acts 20:28)

Apostle Peter repeats and builds on the call of Apostle Paul:

“So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” (1 Pet 5:1-4)

Now this pastoral care, the seeking out of people, prayer, and attention are biblically balanced by the reciprocal striving and seeking out pastoral care by the church members. We encourage you, brothers and sisters, to familiarize yourself with the pastoral sectors to know to which pastor you are accountable, and to seek out meetings, fellowship, and prayer:

“Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” (1 Pet 5:5).

“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” (Heb 13:17)

This will help both, the elders and church members, to better be aware of needs and be able to respond to them in a timely manner (Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-35). Besides this, you now have the opportunity to reach out for wisdom, help, and support not only to your small group leader, but also to the elder assigned to you and your family.

Please pray that these changes would surely improve our care for each other for the edification of the church.

_¹ Lord, you have been our dwelling place
    in all generations.
² Before the mountains were brought forth,
    or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
    from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

³ You return man to dust
    and say, “Return, O children of man!”
⁴ For a thousand years in your sight
    are but as yesterday when it is past,
    or as a watch in the night.

⁵ You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream,
    like grass that is renewed in the morning:
⁶ in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;
    in the evening it fades and withers.

⁷ For we are brought to an end by your anger;
    by your wrath we are dismayed.

• Thursday (6:30 PM) – Kid’s Bible School (open to all but required for parents), followed by a prayer service at 7:30 PM.
• Sunday Services
  • Worship Service in Russian at 9:00 AM
  • Worship Service in English at 11:15 AM