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Vision
Statement: |
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It is
the vision of the Care Connection to see that every individual at
Community Pentecostal Church is connected to the church as closely
as possible, that they are contacted at least twice a month by a Care
Leader, and that their gifts and talents are used to the greatest
extent possible. |
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Care Connection
is the ministry by which people get “connected” at Community
Pentecostal Church. It has a threefold ministry thrust: First, Care
Connection is responsible for paving the way for visitors to quickly
and comfortably move from first timer status to membership and becoming
a productive part of the body. Second, it is the communications center
by which news of upcoming events is quickly spread throughout the
church congregation. Third, through volunteers called Care Leaders,
Care Connection makes sure that no one in the church “falls
through the cracks” or feels unwanted. |
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Visitors: |
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At
CPC we do not view visitors as strangers who will soon pass out
of our sanctuary doors, never to be seen again. We see them as the
future of our church. A body of believers which is not constantly
growing by attracting a steady stream of new people is not a vibrant,
healthy church. Therefore we invest considerable time and resources
to attract and minister to all who come here for the first time.
We believe that God has placed us here to minister to his people,
and we take that charge very seriously.
Just
how seriously can be seen in the Visitor Process which is listed
below.
1.
On the occasion of their first visit to CPC, visitors are recognized
during the church service, given a very comprehensive brochure which
describes our ministries, our Pastor, and numerous other facets
of CPC which may be of importance to new folks, and asked to fill
out a visitor’s card.
2. After the
service, the visitor is invited to the Welcome Center in the church
lobby, where they are warmly greeted and presented with a gift bag
(full of
all kinds of great things). Those who cannot come to the Welcome
Center
and get their gift bag have a gift bag delivered to their home during
the
week.
3. On the day
after their first visit, they receive a letter from Pastor Bates,
welcoming them to our church.
4. Early in
the week they receive a phone call from the Care Connection
Administrator and a postcard invitation to take a tour of the facilities.
5. If they
included their e-mail address on the visitor’s card, they
are sent an
animated, electronic e-mail card welcoming them. They are then put
into a
database and sent a “What’s Happening at CPC”
e-mail each week.
6. Their information
is given to the Care Director of their age level. The
Director gives them a welcoming call and sends a greeting card.
7. Upon their
third visit, they receive a letter from the Care Administrator and
a certificate entitling them to a free CD or cassette tape of one
of Pastor Bates’ sermons.
8. When they
come for the fourth time, they are assigned to a Care Leader
who will contact them at least twice a month and hopefully form
a new
friendship. They are also sent applications for baptism and membership,
although it is stressed that these are opportunities for them to
take further
steps in their walk with Christ.
9. Periodically,
new folks are invited to Sunday dinners to meet personally
with the Care Leader to whom they have been assigned.
After having
passed through this lengthy welcoming process, they should be ready
to enter into all of the other ministry and fellowship opportunities
which CPC offers.
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Communications: |
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Since everyone
at CPC is assigned to a Care Leader, when special things occur, Care
Connection is the perfect vehicle for spreading the word about any
event. A call from the Care Director to the Care Leaders will set
in motion a series of calls by each leader to his/her assigned folks,
and the entire church body can be quickly reminded of any upcoming
happening. |
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Personal
Contact: |
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Each
Care Leader contacts his/her assigned people at least twice a month.
Hopefully friendships and spiritual connections will occur. With the
Care Connection ministry in place, no one who attends Community Pentecostal
Church should ever feel left out or unloved. |
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Care
Directors: |
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The
congregation of Community Pentecostal Church is divided into five
separate age groups within Care Connection. These groups are 60+,
40 – 59, 21 – 39 Married's, 18 – 25 (Impact Extreme),
and 13 – 20 (Impact Youth). |
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Notes
From Our Care Directors: |
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Each
Care Leader contacts his/her assigned people at least twice a month.
Hopefully friendships and spiritual connections will occur. With the
Care Connection ministry in place, no one who attends Community Pentecostal
Church should ever feel left out or unloved. |
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Stephen
Rust (Care Connection Administrator and Care Director for
the 60+ age group) |
“In
our age group it is especially important to keep in contact by phone
or card. Quite a few of these saints are not as mobile as they used
to be and cannot come to church every week, so it is critical that
we let them know that they are not forgotten and that we (Community
Pentecostal Church) care for them. Cards are especially effective.
I have had numerous folks come up to me in church and sincerely
thank me for a card. You may be the only friendly person to speak
to them in a long time. Loneliness is a terrible enemy. Let’s
make sure that it doesn't rule our friends.”
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Bruce
Cheser, Ph.D. (Care Director, 40 – 59 age group) |
“Some
testimonies have been given that indicate a sense of
‘loneliness’ or ‘disconnectedness’ within
Community Pentecostal Church. Why do some of our faithful find CPC
to be a lonely place? The author, Randy Frazee, says, ‘Despite
the fact that we may be the most prosperous, sophisticated, self-fulfilled
Christians in history, we’re also by far the most disconnected.’
God intends to establish His primary purpose through the church,
not in the social agencies of the world, even though they may do
‘good work.’
“The
early Christians used the church as the ‘hub’ of their
world. Has this position changed? Is the church the ‘hub’
of our activities? Most will agree that the experience of an authentic
community is one of the purposes God intends to be filled by the
church. Our church name, Community Pentecostal, declares our belief
in community. Think about what type of “community” God
wants.
We know that He wishes everyone to feel a sense of belonging. We
know Pastor Tom desires the same. We need to be obedient to God
and our Pastor and demonstrate those desired behaviors. May God
bless you in this endeavor.”
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Bear
Clifton (Care Director, 21 – 39, Married's) |
“What
do you think of when you hear the words ‘Care Connection?’
Does it bring to mind those telemarketing calls that invariably
come at the most inconvenient times, or do you think of Care Connection
as having very little significance in the growth of this church?
Now, let me tell you what I think of when I hear the words ‘Care
Connection’ - MINISTRY!!! Care Connection is one of the most
exciting, vibrant, and vital ministries we have available here at
Community Pentecostal Church."
“Care
Connection is about making people feel important and welcome, and
giving them a sense of belonging to this church. It isn’t
just about calling or mailing out a card to some faceless name on
your care list once or twice a month. However, it is about building
lasting relationships and connecting with the body of Christ."
“This
church without Care Connection is like a family without warm and
loving communication; its members will soon feel alienated and disconnected
from the body. So you see, Care Connection is real ministry for
real people."
“I am
extremely excited for the opportunity to be working with and directing
the 21 – 39 Care Group, and teaming up with its tremendously
gifted and dedicated Care Leaders and through unity we will see
the body of Christ connected!”
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Michael
Addison (Care Director, 18 - 25{Impact Extreme} and 13 –
20 {Impact Youth}) |
“I believe
that Care Connection is the lifeblood of our church. This amazing
program allows us, as a large church, to connect on a personal level.
The greatest fulfillment that I receive from the program is discovering
gifts in people and that we sit on a gold mine of gifts and abilities
– we just have to tap into them. Care Connection is the ministry
that allows us to do exactly that! My prayer is that God will inspire
people who have a heart for young people to rise to the top in our
church and help me help them find their place in God.”
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Becoming
a Care Leader: |
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If you
are interested in becoming a Care Leader, please call (859-356-8851)
or send an e-mail with CARE CONNECTION as the subject to Steve
Rust
– Include your NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER/S (home, cell, work,
etc.), EMAIL, and DATE OF BIRTH. Contact information below.
Before you volunteer, please look at the following qualifications
for Care Leaders.
1. All Care Leaders should be faithful attendees of Community
Pentecostal Church.
2. Care Leaders should support CPC with their finances.
3. Care Leaders should consider taking membership with CPC by
going through the
membership classes.
4. Care Leaders should support the God-given vision of the Pastor.
If you agree
with these prerequisites, then we would love for you to become part
of Care Connection as a Care Leader. You will soon be contacted
and an orientation meeting will be set up. God bless you.
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Contact
Information: |
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For
more information about Care Connection, contact Steve
Rust
(859-356-8851, Ext. 113), Care Connection Administrator. |
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