The Shepherd’s Care Ministry serves as a spiritual, financial and emotional support system for the Pastors, as well as the family. As such, committee members may be privy to details or areas of the Pastor's life that other congregants may not be aware of. Working as a Shepherds Care committee member requires the highest level of confidentiality. Otherwise, the Pastor's personal business and needs can become gossip among church congregants, Once a church member becomes a Shepherds Care committee member, he or she has a duty to put the needs of the Pastor(s), ahead of everyone else.
Anything the Pastor(s) needs, the Shepherd’s Care committee is there to ensure they get it. Their goal is to ensure there is no lack for the Pastor(s) or their direct family members.. This may include providing the Pastors and their family with lodging, transportation and meals, whether they are home or away from home. If the Pastor(s) needs anything during their sermons, such as water, juice or mints, the committee ensures that these items are on hand and made available to the Pastor preaching that particular Sunday.
The Shepherds Care committee is responsible for showing emotional support and appreciation to the Pastors on behalf of the other congregants. On occasion, the committee may host a celebratory service for the Pastors and their family. When planning for such services, the committee will solicit gifts from the congregation.The committee recognizes occasions such as anniversaries, birthdays and Father's Day and Mother’s Day. If the committee feels the Pastor(s) is emotionally drained and in need of a sabbatical or vacation, they will gather up enough money from the congregants or among themselves to send the Pastors away for a while.
Whenever a guest minister comes to speak at the church, the Shepherds Care committee is responsible for anticipating their needs. In many cases, someone from the committee will reach out to the guest minister or their assistant to see if he has any special needs or preferences. For instance, the guest minister may prefer grape juice as he ministers. The Shepherds Care committee helps to ensure the guest minister is comfortable during their time away from their home church.
Shepherds Care committees are usually in charge of celebrating special events that honor the Pastor. The Pastor's birthday, the Pastor's wife's birthday, the Pastor's wedding anniversary, Father's Day, Pastor Appreciation Day and even the full month of the Pastor's church anniversary are all celebrated. Committee members plan celebrations, coordinate with other church committees, solicit donations from the congregation and give and receive on behalf of the Pastor gifts of appreciation. If the Pastor or a member of their family is experiencing serious health or emotional issues, the Shepherds Care committee may take up a special love offering to ease any financial strain.
Although the Pastors are expected to do church outreach, such as visitation for the sick or housebound, he cannot do it alone. The Shepherds Care ministry often assists the Pastors in making calls to church members, visiting nursing homes and shut-ins and praying for congregants. Committee members may also assist the Pastors in more mundane ways, such as ensuring that their robes are pressed and their sermon notes are in order. In some cases, committee members may help with research for a sermon.
3474 South Scales Road
Suwanee, GA 30024
