Taking care of the congregation.

Within The Church of the Good Shepherd are several care groups to facilitate communication within the congregation to determine special needs of the members, and address those needs through support services within the congregation, within the county, or through counseling services.

Flocks of the Shepherd   Shepherding Group   Prayer Ministry

Stephen Ministries   Counseling Services

Flocks of the Shepherd

A distinctive mark of the early church was each person's care and concern for their sisters and brothers. The old-fashioned term "hospitality" is fitting to describe their ways of relating. Gentile and Jew, privileged and poor, friend and stranger -- a warm welcome, an expression of care, and a sincere interest in one another was extended.

From this rich expression of hospitality, we recognize that we each have both a gift to share and a gift to receive, as stranger becomes "sojourner" in our faith community.

We envision that God is calling us to be a caring, hospitable community.

As a part of our response to this vision, the church has established a program that sets up caring groups within our larger church community.

The church activated a congregational care program, "Flocks of the Shepherd", which establishes informal linkages of caring in the neighborhoods where we live. We have created 16 neighborhood "flocks", with one or two undershepherd assigned to each flock. The undershepherd is a catalyst for continuing contact and caring for each household in the flock. For more information about the "flocks" that have been activated and about the role of the undershepherd, contact the church office 703-281-3987.

  

Shepherding Group

The Shepherding Network consists of volunteers who support the short-term needs of the congregation. During sickness, hospitalisation, terminal illness, or new births we provide meals, transportation, sitting services, or shopping. Outlines are scheduled regularly for a physically challenged member. Cards indicating concern or celebration are sent to members of the congregation as appropriate. Each family situation is unique, and the needs of each member of the family are considered so that through us, their church family, they will feel God's love surrounding and comforting them.

For more information about the "Shepherding Network" contact the church office 703-281-3987.

Stephen Ministries

Stephen Ministry provides one on one caregiving to those within the congregation who need and want Christian companioning. By meeting weekly to listen to a care receiver who faces difficulties or transitions, Stephen Ministers provide distinctive Christian care. This provides long-term emotional and spiritual companionship to someone who may face death, divorce, separation, terminally illness, unemployment, hospitalization, or other struggles.

Confidentiality is a cornerstone of the ministry. Our five Stephen Leaders have completed a one week Leadership training program. They administer the 50 hours of training to individuals within the congregation who become Stephen Ministers. Our congregation is one of over 6000 Stephen Ministry congregations throughout the world.

Counseling Services

Persons turn to the church for help and comfort in times of suffering or trouble. Emotional distress and relational difficulties are painful realities, which need a skilled and compassionate listener. Our staff offers to families and individual both counseling and referrals to other mental health professionals.

For more information about "Counseling Services" contact the church office 703-281-3987 .