Care & Support

Our dedicated Congregational Care program, staff and volunteers offer ministries to meet the spiritual, emotional, physical, and relational needs of our church family and community.

The Shepherd Care Program

The Shepherd Care Program is designed to carry a ministry of concern beyond the Sunday Church.  It is intended to insure that all memebrs feel cared for by their church family.  The program functions by members assuming the responsibility for other families in the church.  The success of the program rests in activity and concern by the Shepherding Coordinator and Disciples caring for their assigned families.  Your involvement will require giving, caring, compassion and a dedicated effort.

In the Old Testament, the word for shepherd is derived from the word "to care for, tend, feed, nurture".  The word came to mean "friend".  The English idea of "pastor" came out of this word also.  At Ovilla United Methodist Church, we have a program providing "friends who care, nurture, tend and feed".  The Shepherd Care Program is being a giving personal friendship as an expression for fellowship.

In the New Testament, Jesus likened himself to the Good Shepherd and his followers to sheep.  In John 10:10-11, Jesus said, "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.  I am the good shepherd."  The image of shepherd is one who (1) cares for sheep. (2) is present with them and attentive to their needs, and (3) give support in time of need.

Paul gave an image of the church as "the body of Christ."  He wrote in 1 Corinthians 12:14, "For the body does not consist of one member, but many."  He described the church as being like the body with many parts.  Every part is important to the body; every member is essential to the mission and fellowship of the church.  He wrote, "If one member suffers, all suffer together.  If one member is honored, all rejoice together."  Ovilla United Methodist Church believes that every member is important and that no member should suffer and kind of pain alone.  We also want to rejoice with each other in our successes.  We all need care in times of pain; ew all need praise in times of success.

Hebrews 10:23-25 is a passage of encouragement: "...let us give serious study as to how to incite one another to agape love and good works, not neglecting to meet together..."  Most of Hebrews is about exhorting and encouraging each other to live for Christ.  Encouraging words might be, "Thank You!", "A job well done!", "That was great!", "We sure need you!", "We miss you!", "You are so very important to us!", etc.  Shepherds encourage!!!