Did you know scientists found anti-cancer agents in Periwinkle flowers and soil microbes, or that our first anti-retroviral treatment for HIV came from a sea sponge? Believing that God is a good God who cares about us carries the strong implication that everything we need to thrive has already been supplied and that it’s our job to put it together.
This belief drives my love for Pastoral Care. I’m inspired by the Acts 2 vision of a community in which the resources required to meet the needs are already present, just waiting for us to have enough compassion and generosity to make the connection.
That’s why I go around saying “did you know…?” in reference to the church. Did you know we address loneliness by matching our members who can’t come to church with a regular visitor? That we brighten hospital and hospice rooms with the same flowers that grace our worship services? That hundreds of cards are handwritten and sent out by our Card Writing Team and our Care & Concern Team of ministers each year? That two different ride-share teams get members to worship on Sunday and to medical appointments on weekdays, and other volunteers deliver meals to grieving families and to those unable to join us for our MidWeek Fellowship supper?
In addition, we also have a ministry for caregivers, a special team of ushers welcomes the funeral guests who have never visited our facility before, and our Stephen Ministry is so confidential you might not know to tell a hurting friend that this companionship ministry is an option. Have you considered becoming a Stephen Minister yourself? No doubt you have some professional expertise or life-skills that could be invaluable to a person seeking guidance through one of life’s transitions. Ever heard of a Phoebe Fellowship?
I hope your time in nature this summer will inspire you to return with a fresh vision for the ecosystem of the church! There’s no happier day at FBG than when we discover we are already equipped to meet a need! Just bring compassion and generosity, and we’ll make the connection!
—Kyle Matthews, Minister of Pastoral Care