Leadership
Pastoral Oversight
Here at Christ Care Church, we have several pastors, each with a particular ministry focus. One primarily ministers in teaching the word (often, others will also share in this role), another in administrative help and church affairs, two others in personal counseling and serving community needs (evangelism, hospital visits, weddings, funerals, etc.), and another as a missionary in Africa. We generally refer to these pastors as elders, but the two words are interchangeable, along with shepherd and overseer.
Collectively, the pastors/elders are responsible for the oversight, care, and feeding of the flock, and are mutually submitted to each other for accountability. The pastors generally meet weekly for prayer, fellowship, and general church matters. Other brothers and sisters will join in the leadership meetings from time-to-time based on specific church needs, questions, or ministry opportunities. The pastors at all times endeavor to have an open door policy and provide a forum for open communication.
Our Christ Care Church pastors feel called of the Lord to this form of biblical leadership, and recognize it is not the only way to govern a local expression of Christ. In fact, we have relationships with other churches and ministries that follow a different leadership pattern. God ordains leadership and equips His Body through various gifts and ministries – and not always in the same way in every place. Our desire is to please Him and be obedient to the leading of His Spirit at Christ Care Church. In that Spirit, we welcome and seek to cultivate healthy, biblical relationships with other churches in Carroll County and across the region.
At this time our pastors have chosen to serve without compensation. Two of our pastors are retired from their careers and dedicate a large portion of their time to church related ministries. One of the pastors lives on the property as caretaker and resident elder. One of our pastors is a full time Missionary, and is financially supported in part by South Carroll Church. We are open to the idea of having one or more paid pastors should the need arise and God lead us in that direction. Currently, our pastors are able to focus on their specific gifts and blend them with other gifts and ministries in such a way that the needs of the church are met through this model of plural leadership.
We believe in being good stewards of the finances (tithes, offerings, gifts) that are entrusted to the church. With that in mind, we have strong desire to be involved with short-term and long-term missions. Rather than supporting a large number of missionaries where we have little interaction, we’ve chosen to get involved with a limited number of ministries where we can get to know the people involved and remain very close to them as they do the work of God in other lands. We give over 20% of our budget to these missionaries, and the rest goes to community aid, utilities and facilities/property upkeep. We have an open book policy, and all budgets and quarterly financial statements are available upon request.
The church purchased 44 acres of property in 1983, and has been debt free since 1993. There is a newer “missions” house on our property, as well as an older house and an automotive garage. Some of our lower barns are used for 4-H type activities and we have cows and horses that are cared for by members within our body.
Please feel free to contact us if you have questions about leadership, ministries, or any other matters regarding Christ Care Church.
For more information, you can reach the church office at: 410-795-4629, or info@southcarrollchurch.org.
