Hey Fletch … I want to ask you about the structuring of our adult care ministry. We are a church of two campuses, with our main campus having 3,000 people per weekend. We care/minister to adults through four community pastors who are deployed by geography—east, west, north and south. Each of these community pastors cares/ministers to their geography in the areas of life groups, weddings, funerals, hospital visits, baby dedications, men’s ministry, discipleship, etc.
We are considering changing our current geographic structure. What models would you suggest that we consider? Do you see anything currently being used by existing churches that really resonate with you? Thanks so much in advance for your help. I really respect your passion for the church and the position of executive pastor.
DRF—Churches struggle with how to minister to adults. As you have four care or community pastors, it feels like a well-staffed solution to the issue. I’m wondering if you are feeling the financial pinch of such a staffing arrangement.
Let’s step back for a moment. Who should be caring for the people of your church? What is the role of paid staff verses gifted people in the church? Are paid staff taking away ministry that the people should have? Ephesians 4:12 says that pastors are “to equip the saints for the work of ministry.” As a church of “believer-priests,” the people should have bold and dynamic ministry throughout the church.
A beginning question is: how much training are these four pastors doing? As quality care pastors, are they equipping others from their expertise and giftedness?
One church trained their small group leaders to be at the forefront of care ministry. The leaders took charge of hospital visits and the pastors only got involved in major illnesses or life threatening issues. One pastor heard that a friend of his was in the hospital. As the pastor entered the hospital room, the friend said, “The doctors must be lying to me … if you’re here, I must be near death!”
