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Christ is central to ChristCare Groups.
ChristCare Groups are circles of care. When ChristCare Groups meet, they do four kinds of activities:
The Holy Spirit works through these activities to make ChristCare Groups into "Circles of Care with Christ at the Center." Four good reasons why ChristCare Groups are necessary for our congregation to be all God calls us to be . . . Reason 1: Christ's Own Example Much of Jesus' most significant ministry took place with the small group he formed at the beginning of his ministry--the twelve disciples. In this intimate setting Jesus shared the truth and wisdom of God, teaching them about prayer, holy living, faith, hope, and love. Reason 2: Building Community In a world where people often feel isolated, there is a strong need to have a place "where everbody knows your name." In ChristCare Groups, people feel loved and accepted and can share when they are happy or hurting. Reason 3: The Renewal of the Church Whenever the church has experienced renewal, small groups have played a key role. Groups do things that open members to the Spirit's work: prayer and praise, Bible study, equipping for ministry and witness and service in daily life. Reason 4: The Growth of the Church The early church multiplied by involving people in groups that met regularly for worship, mutual support, and growing together in faith. Today ChristCare Groups help our church grow by assimilating new members, evangelism, preventing inactivity, and increasing attendance at Sunday worship. |
 One of the many helping ministries we have at Central is our Stephen Minister Program. This is a one-on-one Christian care giving ministry. The Stephen Series is designed to train lay people in one-to-one caregiving. After receiving 50 hours of training, Stephen Ministers are linked with individuals (Care Receivers) who are experiencing a wide variety of life problems or challenges, such as: hospitalization, bereavement, terminal illness, spiritual crisis, unemployment, divorce, disability, victims of crime and many more. Stephen Ministers become caring, Christian friends to their Care Receivers--listening to them, praying with them, simply being with them. Twenty members of Central continue to be active participants in this vital ministry to our church family by visiting members in nursing homes and being linked, one on one, in caring ministry to members who are experiencing difficult moments in their lives. Stephen Ministers have also made hospital calls one day a week, since early last year, in support of our ministerial staff and meet monthly to continue their in listening skills, use of Christian resources, and ways of ministering to persons who are facing major health problems, the loss of a loved one, or loneliness. Lucy Acheson, commissioned as a Stephen Minister at Central in 1993, says, "Stephen Ministry training has given me so much insight into how I can minister to my fellow church members. I have become much better at recognizing emotional and spiritual needs and listening to concerns. I have found that church members in crisis just need a caring person to be with them and listen to them. I've found Stephen Ministry to be an opportunity for me to serve the Lord by acting as His ears, eyes, and hands." We currently have over 20 persons at Central who have completed the training and are helping serve others and God in this significant way. Would you or someone you know benefit from a relationship with a Stephen Minister? A new training class for Stephen Ministers will begin in the fall. If you would like more information about this exciting ministry or would like to be linked with a Stephen Minister, please speak with Gretchen. |
Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
(217) 428-4336
email the webmaster at gbarron@cccdisciples.org