DEFINITION

The Pastoral Care and Oversight Ministry of Redeemer is the ministry responsible for maintaining spiritual oversight and care of members and committed adherents of the Church.

BACKGROUND

We come from a tradition where pastoral care and the regular oversight of church members is a priority. We consider this to be a great strength of our Presbyterian heritage, and it is something we want to be an integral part of Redeemer. However, whereas this care has largely, if not entirely, been the responsibility of elders and pastors, we believe that there is a place for including other mature Christians (both men and women) in a pastoral oversight and care team. The final responsibility always lies with the ordained elders, but we believe that others too may perform functions of this ministry.

CORE VALUES

1.      Pastoral care entails the particular oversight of and ministry to individuals and families within the church.

2.      That this oversight and ministry needs to take place in the context of developed relationships thorough knowledge.

3.      That it is best conducted when individual people and families are designated as the responsibility of particular members of the pastoral team.

4.      That the church Session always maintains overall accountability and responsibility for the oversight of church members.

5.      That this ministry involves instruction, encouragement, motivation and correction.

6.      That it calls for people of proven experience, knowledge, godliness and wisdom.

7.      That its goal is consistently the spiritual maturity and functional effectiveness of all church members.

MISSION PURPOSE

The purpose of Redeemer's Pastoral Care and Oversight Ministry is to facilitate the spiritual maturity and functional effectiveness of all church members and committed adherents through a ministry of particularized instruction, encouragement, motivation and correction.