Is it time for a reset?
For a moment, consider the digital devices many people use daily. When your computer acts sluggish or even freezes up, it’s time to restart it. Same thing when your cell phone starts to act a little wonky. It can also happen to our bodies, then it’s time for a little rest and relaxation.
Just as our bodies and devices often need a reset, organizations sometimes need us to take a step back and take a moment to see how we can do it better or what might need to be changed. Throughout the past year, our Jesus Cares Ministries (JCM) leaders have been working with programs to review their status and perhaps do a reset.
Recently, Rev. Joel Gaertner, National Director of JCM, worked with program leaders at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in West Bend, Wis. This program has been in existence for about 15 years at several locations in the West Bend area. Since the program settled at Good Shepherd, there has never been a real opportunity to connect the program to the entire congregation.
Recently, there was a desire to keep this program going including new leadership and more involvement from congregation members. To facilitate that, Pastor Joel held a JCM weekend where he led Worship at the Cross for their worship services and invited individuals to sign up to learn more about being volunteers.
More than two dozen people signed up, Currently, more than a dozen volunteers have worked together to rejuvenate the program.
Thanks to their hard work, the program came back in the most successful way. More than a dozen individuals with special needs, along with their parents and caregivers, came together for a Christmas Worship at the Cross service in December.
Pastor Joel, and Pastor Patrick Feldhus, are continually working to support JCM programs and ensure all programs return to full strength. If you are involved with leading a JCM program, here’s a few questions to ask yourself:
- Has your JCM program been going for a while with the same volunteers?
- Are your volunteers feeling tired or worn out because the same group has been doing this for quite a long time?
- When was the last time your congregation had a JCM Sunday?
If you recognize any of these issues, it might be a good idea to reinvigorate your JCM program. Please contact your JCM program consultant or email us jcm@tlha.org and we will get in touch with you to discuss what might be best for your program.
We have also been sharing about our JCM Partner Plan to understand the impact of gifts shared with our ministry.
When someone shares a $100 gift, it supports a JCM coordinator’s visit to an existing JCM program to meet with program volunteers and leaders. These gifts are wonderful when we are doing everything possible to ensure God’s Word is reaching individuals with special needs.