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PHILOSOPHY:
PHILOSOPHY:
Any discussion about congregational care has historically included both general aspects of care, as well as more specialized expressions. For congregational churches, in the past it was the deacons and deaconesses who provided general congregational care, and the pastor -- or an associate pastor if more than one clergy was on staff -- would provide more specialized care. As some churches grew, and as congregation members became more scheduled in their work days, deacons and deaconesses may have become less available during the week, and so the role of expressing care or meeting care needs -- whether general or specialized -- has often been filled or at least overseen by one or more paid staff ministers.
Any discussion about congregational care has historically included both general aspects of care, as well as more specialized expressions. For congregational churches, in the past it was the deacons and deaconesses who provided general congregational care, and the pastor -- or an associate pastor if more than one clergy was on staff -- would provide more specialized care. As some churches grew, and as congregation members became more scheduled in their work days, deacons and deaconesses may have become less available during the week, and so the role of expressing care or meeting care needs -- whether general or specialized -- has often been filled or at least overseen by one or more paid staff ministers.
Because of who we are as a Century congregation and because God has allowed us the stewardships of a multi-gifted church, and because we are convinced that healthy congregation life includes expressing care amongst ourselves as a way of life for all of us, we endeavor to provide general congregational care via, within, and radiating from, our community life groups.
Congregational care is best expressed within and radiating from community life groups (CLGs) and care neighborhoods
"Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2, nas95)
SPECIALIZED CARE NEEDS:
SPECIALIZED CARE NEEDS:
Ironically, "pastoral care" in the 19th and early 20th century North American church was largely understood to be highly specialized, and rather institutional. At least, that would be the impression one would glean from reading books about pastoral care written during that time frame. It was assumed instead that various lesser-difficult aspects of congregational care would indeed be met by congregation members, or at least by those in the church diaconate as a lay-initiated effort. Specialized care needs were primarily related to highly-educated ministers counseling those in troubled circumstances, both those in regular life and those who were being treated in institutional facilities.
In our Century Baptist context in this generation, more "specialized" or difficult care needs are cared for either through teams of volunteers specifically trained to address that type of need, or through one of the pastoral or leadership members here. "Specialized" is defined in this web space as an aspect of care which primarily a certified or specially-trained person within the congregation addresses. At Century these aspects of specialized congregational care include but are not limited to:
pastoral counsel for couples wanting to get married
pastoral counsel for married couples who are struggling
pastoral counsel for those wrestling with addictions
pastoral counsel for other expressed needs
hospital visiting to patients in isolation , ICU, or ER
other aspects of care which would be extremely difficult for an average congregation volunteer to provide
recruiting and training congregational volunteers for more general aspects of congregational care (see below)
recruiting, training, and supporting/overseeing care neighborhood facilitators
Even these areas of specialized care can theoretically be served by trained congregation members, and it is the aspiration of the current care staff to move toward training up congregation members whenever appropriate.
pastoral, or specialized congregational care, is best expressed through trained followers of Jesus Christ
pastoral, or specialized congregational care, is best expressed through trained followers of Jesus Christ
specialized care at Century encompasses counseling needs, severe illness and end-of-life journey, as well as the recruiting, equipping, and supporting congregational volunteers
specialized expressions of care can be delivered by either ministry staff or by trained congregation members, or a combination of the two
The aspects of congregational care here in Century, which any gifted and basically-trained church member can offer another person are related to going and meeting those in need:
The aspects of congregational care here in Century, which any gifted and basically-trained church member can offer another person are related to going and meeting those in need:
ministering to those who are dying
ministering to those bereaved
ministering to those grieving other loss
ministering to those who are physically ill
ministering to those who are shut-in
ministering to the elderly
ministering evangelistically
financial management
life-direction coaching
married couples enrichment
In order to better equip this congregation in these aspects of care, we offer a couple of different training opportunities in cycles throughout the year:
Bereavement support one-one training: "Thou Art With Me" Five-week seminar, here specifically at Century
Bereavement support group training: "GriefShare" Thirteen -week seminar, rotating throughout the year in a couple of different churches
Shut-In Visiting Training: now online through this website, with periodic in-person team gatherings specifically for Century volunteers
Evangelism Training: "Gospel Fluency" multi-week seminar, offered periodically through the Adult Ministries dept here at Century.
You are probably reading this page for one of a couple of reasons:
You are probably reading this page for one of a couple of reasons:
You are local in the Bismarck-Mandan-Lincoln area and are interested in receiving some sort of congregational care because you have a need
If so, please contact Pastor Dave at 223-0478
You are interested in actively participating in a particular expression of congregational care for those who need it
If so, please contact Robyn Wonnenberg, or Pastor Dave, at 223-0478
You as a non-Century guest are interested in how to communicate an aspect of congregational care which you or your organization offer.
If so, please email Pastor Dave.
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