Swim Between The Flags

Swimming in the surf is great fun, but to minimise the dangers, our Surf Life Saving friends have given us flags to swim between so that they can focus their attention on those who need watching.

I recently attended a conference about pastoral care and the church leader spoke of their small groups as being like the flags on a beach.

He said that in their church, their small groups are the hub of pastoral care, and they help everyone to see when others might put their hand up for help… and when they wander into rough waters without realising their difficulties.

Whilst I seek to care for all our church members, as well as those who reside in our parish, I praise God for our Growth Group leaders who keep a pastoral eye out for those who are part of their group.

This why we encourage every member of our church to be a part of a Growth Group, even a person is not in a position to regularly attend the mid-week gathering of prayer, Bible study and encouragement.

By being a member of a Growth Group, you are swimming between the flags of our church’s pastoral care, and you’re helping all of us help each other to provide care and to refer, as needed.

Our church is blessed to have Sandee as our own Care and Community Chaplain, and she is always ready to help assist our Growth Group leaders and members in caring for each other, providing wisdom in how and when to refer to pastors and professionals.

If you’re not connected to a Growth Group, then we’d love you to swim between our church flags so we can care for you as we go through the challenges of life, as we await the return of Jesus.

JODIE McNEILL

(Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)