Lay Pastoral Care

What is Lay Pastor Ministry?
The Lay Pastor Ministry is a program designed to provide God’s love and care to all the members on a continual basis through a core of dedicated persons (lay pastors) from within the congregation.

What is the Purpose of Lay Pastoral Care?
God calls people to minister to people. I Peter 5:2 tells us to: “feed the flock of God which is among you”. The Pastor can not do it alone. Lay ministry is a concept of shepherding designed to fill the gap. Through this ministry, every member can have someone there whenever and wherever there is a need.

Why do we need a Lay Pastor Ministry?
A growing church must work hard to keep a warm caring atmosphere. Lay pastors will be a supplement and complement to the clergy and staff’s on-going pastoral care for the church. Moses was told by God to choose qualified leaders to assist with the people’s needs.

What does a Lay Pastor do?
Lay Pastors are equipped by going through a 12 hour seminar, consecrated, commissioned and sent forth to be loving examples of Christian CARE to their flock. The acronym CARE is used in showing how this care is done:

CONTACT        Keep in regular contact with each of their family units. Acts 15:36
AVAILABLE      Be available to share God’s love and message of salvation. Galatians 6:2
REMEMBE        Remember their family units in Prayer. James 5:16
COURAGE        Encourage and build up their family units. I Thessalonians 5:11

Who needs a Lay Pastor?
We all do at times. God says, “Comfort my people” in Isaiah 40:1.  All too often many members say, “No one is concerned for me…No one cares for my life.” Psalms 142:4
Some become ill and no one knows about it.
Some stop coming to worship service and no one misses them.
Some face critical decisions, and no one is praying for them.
Some are lonely and no one calls.

Who are the Lay Pastors?
Members of the church who are 21 or older.
Persons who feel a calling for involvement in such ministry and are willing to be trained.
Persons willing to make the commitment of time and effort.
Persons committed to growing in the understanding in both WORD and DEED.
Persons in whom the Community of Believers can place trust and confidence, including confidentiality.
Persons who are supportive of the church staff and programs.

Is God Calling You?
If you can answer YES to these questions, there is a strong possibility that you are called to become a Lay Pastor at St. Luke UMC.

Would you be willing to keep in touch with others within the congregation once a month?
Could you be available to share God’s love with others who may feel unloved or cared for?
Could you find time on a regular basis to pray for a few families?
Would you be an encourager and be a positive example to others?

Answering YES to the above questions makes you a viable candidate to serve as a Lay Pastor within the Lay Pastor Care Ministry. If you are interested in learning more about the Lay Pastor Care Ministry or in becoming a Lay Pastor, contact:
Mrs. Barrie Rommes at 494-1384 or Mrs. Peggy Woodard at 477-1475.