Church Mental Health Summit

E229. Building a Care Team Before Crisis Hits

What does it look like to build a care team before the crisis happens?

In this coaching episode, Laura talks with Bill Loften, Care Pastor at Grace Fellowship Church in Maryland, about expanding care beyond pastors and licensed ministry leaders.

Bill is less than a year into his role, but he is already thinking strategically about how to identify, equip, and support people within the congregation who can step into care. Together, Laura and Bill explore peer support, lay care, small group leaders, volunteer training, community partnerships, and how to build care systems that are sustainable and aligned with the strengths of your church.

This conversation is especially helpful for care leaders who want to grow their ministry without carrying every need themselves.

Quotes

“We're developing a fire department to be able to handle the fires when they come.”
Bill Loften

“They might not feel called to ministry, but they feel called to do ministry.”
Bill Loften

“There's these specific people that show up when crisis happens or when a need is happening.”
Bill Loften

Resources

Care Alignment Framework
Identify the intersection between your church’s vision, strengths, and the needs of your community so you can focus your care ministry where it can have the greatest impact.
https://www.hopemadestrong.org/care-alignment

Model of Care
Explore the different layers of support available within a church, including self-care, community care, peer support, pastoral care, and professional care.
https://www.hopemadestrong.org/model-of-care 

 

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