Emmanuel Church is a vibrant and dynamic community with all generations represented. There are people ‘coming and going’ all the time, with some people just visiting once, while others attend services for a while, and still others make Emmanuel their home-church.

Ensuring that everyone is ‘looked after’, nurtured and cared for, and ‘spurred on toward love and good deeds’ (Heb 10:24) has proven to be a challenge. Though the Elders have tried hard to keep up with their assigned ‘Elders’ Districts’, they are convinced there is a more effective way to ensure all are cared for. We believe that the following principles and applications will go a long way to ensure a healthy level of care for all.

Everyone Is Called to Care (Gal 6:2)
At the foundation for healthy ‘congregational care’ lies the command to “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way fulfill the law of Christ.” We believe this command applies to all believers, and therefore calls all of us to care for our ever-changing congregation. Practically, this means that all of us should be vigilant about the people we serve, minister and worship with. And, all of us should be ready to comfort and encourage those in need, while being receptive to the comfort and encouragement of others.

Care is Best Provided in Natural Relationships (Ac 2:42-46)
The best care is often provided through natural relationships. We see a wonderful example of this in the early church, where people were meeting regularly and looking after each other’s needs. To accomplish the same, who of the Emmanuel family are you already in regular contact with? Are you part of a small group? A regular ministry? A board or committee? Be both vigilant toward the needs of the people you are already in relationships with and be willing to share your burdens with them. Furthermore, if you are not in regular contact with other believers, what small group or ministry can you join so that not only your needs are cared for but you also can participate in caring for others?

Prayer Is Part of the Answer (Eph 6:18)
Scripture calls us to “always keep praying for all the Lord’s people”. Prayer is a growing part of Emmanuel’s ministry and is part of the answer! A prayer team is available to pray with you after each worship service. Just make your way to the front of the sanctuary after the service, or remain in your seat where the team will come to you. Furthermore, we have a group of intercessors ready to pray for you daily! Just contact Judi Marshall at (902) 825-2726.  Finally, our pre-service prayer meeting is a great place to learn about prayer and engage in prayer. Each time there is opportunity to share prayer requests.

The Sick are Called to Call (James 5:14)
Sometimes people get sick or discouraged, but no one knows. Or, people who truly do care, find out about the issue weeks ‘after the fact’. This can leave the person suffering feeling like they have been forgotten. At the same time, the person who does care is left feeling like a failure for not expressing care. James 5:14 instructs the sick to call the elders. At Emmanuel, we strongly encourage you to call one of the elders when you are in need of prayer, a visit or a word of encouragement! Their contact information can be found below.

During the spring of 2019, we will discontinue the Elders’ Districts in favor of the implementation of these 4 principles.  Our pastor preached 4 messages on this topic as well.  We encourage you to listen to the audio recordings.  The Elders will continue to oversee the congregational care. They are committed to providing care when called upon, and to providing occasional congregational care learning opportunities. In addition, they will continue to evaluate the effectiveness of the overall congregational care ministry.

Elders Contact Information:

Cheryl Ferguson       (902) 824-0095

Pat Harrison              (902) 825-3669

Judi Marshall             (902) 825-2726

Joanne McGregor      (902) 844-1238