Companionship: Care According to God’s Compassion

The Need

• The church needs to be active in meeting the membership’s needs. 
• We have multifaceted needs and require a multifaceted, intentional approach to help those struggling.
• The more people you have in a church, the more proactive you must be in knowing how to care for multiple needs.

The Word: 1 Thessalonians 4:14

And we exhort you, brothers and sisters: warn those who are idle, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone (1 Thessalonians 4:14).

• Warn the Idle
  
  • Disengaged members need to have intentional people committed to motivate them for discipleship.
  • Idle people need to be awakened to spiritual growth.
• Comfort the Discouraged
  
  • Develop ways to encourage those who are overwhelmed due to life’s circumstances.
  • Discouraged people don’t need the same thing as idle people.
• Help the Weak
  
  • Coordinate efforts to help shut-ins, those in the hospital, and those grieving the loss of loved ones.
  • Weakened people in a church need a particular type of focused care.
• Patient with Everyone
  
  • As we deal with all members, we must realize that it takes all of us longer than we ever anticipate to get through certain situations, and patience and grace will be our default.
  • We should be patient with one another because God is patient with us.

The Task

• Decide how to meet needs among staff, deacons, teams, and other members.
• Ensure we care for members well by keeping membership information updated. 
• Special Situations
  
  • Hospital Visits
  • Shut-Ins
  • Special Needs
  • Counseling Help
  • Wedding Ceremonies
  • Memorial Services