207: An Intentional Vision for Care: Why Bigger Isn’t Always Better with Milton bible Church
In this episode of the Care Ministry Podcast, host Laura Howe sits down with Mark Strickland and Matt Timpson from Milton Bible Church to explore what intentional, sustainable care looks like in a mid-sized church. Together, they unpack why Milton Bible has chosen to remain “decidedly mid-sized,” how administration can strengthen (not replace) relationships, and how care systems can support people without becoming cold or program-driven. The conversation offers practical insight into connect groups, prayer pathways, boundaries in care, documentation, and building a culture where people are truly seen—without trying to meet every need alone.
Quotes
- “Administration should feed ministry and feed what’s pastorally happening in the church—not the other way around.”
— Matt Timpson - “We don’t want to just go wide. We want to go deep.”
— Matt Timpson - “When you get beyond a certain size, the organic care that once happened naturally starts slipping through the cracks, and systems help bridge that gap.”
— Mark Strickland - “You can have great systems, but if people aren’t actually engaging with other people, something essential is missing.”
— Mark Strickland
“Care doesn’t mean solving the problem. It means walking with people and connecting them to hope.”
— Laura Howe
Resources
Connect with Hope Made Strong
Website: HopeMadeStrong.org
