Jesus gave Peter a command and each time he asked the question, “Do you love me?” All together three commands. 1. Feed my lambs 2. Tend (take Care of) my sheep 3. Feed my sheep
Pastors are called to preach and teach the Word of God. They are called to love, care and pray for the congregation. Care starts from cradle to senior adults, from birth to death. When the members of the congregation need someone to strengthen them in the faith, pray when they are sick or intercede for them as they go through great difficulties or unanticipated life changes, they look to their pastors to comfort them and help them. Pastors are called to be good shepherds of the people.
Thanks be to God that there are others in our congregation who are called to assist the pastor and walk alongside him/her as the congregation needs are met. God’s church is the body of Christ, made up of many members with many gifts. The church ordains deacons and elders to walk alongside the pastor to help in the building up of the body of Christ. At APC we have many lay groups who are helping in the tending of the sheep. All these groups are motivated by the love of Christ. We practice loving our neighbors as we love ourselves and are ready to assist according to the gifts that God has implanted in us.
The pastoral staff works together to care for the flock at Abington Presbyterian Church, led by Tia McCoun, Congregational Care Associate. We work together preaching and teaching, visiting, and praying for the sick, and shut in (before Covid-19 we were more hands-on). Now we minister more with phone calls and video meetings. We are continuing to plan marriages, funerals and the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper safely.
Some of the caring groups who assist the pastor with ministering to the congregation are: the Deacons, the Care Team and the Older adult ministry.
