Called To Care

By Laura Crihfield

As followers of Jesus, we are called to love those around us with the love of God - to go the extra mile, to love those who are hard to love, to step in and offer help when someone is hurting, to be the face of Jesus to those around us. Often these things come to mind when we think about reaching out to unbelievers and being a witness for Jesus in the world. We believe the adage: No one will care what we know (about Jesus and his love) until they know that we care (and they experience God's love). How true that is! People must know that we care about them before we can effectively share the Good News of Jesus with them. But our call to care and share the love of Jesus is not limited to our interactions with unbelievers. We are equally called to care for and love those around us who are believers, our fellow Christians - again, going the extra mile, loving those who are difficult to love, stepping in and offering help when someone is hurting, to be the face of Jesus to our brothers and sisters in Christ.

This ministry of care can be seen in many areas of our life together as a community. We see it in informal interactions on Sunday mornings as we connect in the Concourse. It happens every day of the week as small groups gather and love and support one another. We hear of it happening as friends support friends through crises and stand beside one another when life takes unexpected, often painful, turns. It happens as meals are delivered and friends are prayed for. These are all examples of informal, wonderful ways that you, the body of Christ at Central Church, are loving one another! Keep it up!

We see it happening in formal ways as well, specifically through the work of the Deacons. Historically, this group of church officers has operated mostly behind the scenes, quietly going about their tasks and seldom seeking recognition. They have been responsible for many of the Sunday morning hospitality ministries such as greeting, coffee, communion preparation, and coverage of the Deacon's Desk, where Deacons are available to meet with anyone in need and to find those gifted to help. In addition to these Sunday tasks, Deacons oversee Care Teams, funeral lunches, regular visitation to those in the hospital and nursing homes, and faithfully send notes and cards, on behalf of the entire church, to those who are hurting or absent from us for various reasons. And this is only the short list of what they do! Essentially, if there is a need, there is a Deacon ready to step in!

As Central grows and defines its mission, so are the Deacons, recognizing the blessing of team-based ministries and opportunities for service. With this in mind, the Deacons are working hard, developing new strategies for your involvement in caring for and loving one another. Perhaps you have received a call asking you to serve as a Greeter at one of the doors on Sunday morning? Perhaps you have been asked to take a meal to a family in crisis? Maybe you've been invited to serve on a Care Team, write a card, help make coffee, visit a shut-in? If you haven't, you will in the near future, so don't panic! And if you feel especially called to serve in any of these areas, please let the office know or stop by the Deacon's Desk on Sunday morning! The opportunities for service are countless. The blessings you will receive as you serve Jesus in caring for and loving those in our midst are eternal!