pastoral care... is the term we use to describe the way we express our christian caring for one another. This page explains some of the ways we put this into practice within Victoria Baptist Church.

As well as being the world's greatest leader, the Bible speaks of Jesus having 'deep compassion' for people he met. The foundation of our pastoral care is the confidence that he, above all, meets our deepest needs.

home groups

We all need help and support from other christians as we live the christian life. Our home groups (there is a separate page about them) provide a friendly atmosphere in which we talk about the Lord and motivate each other to live for him.

Each group is responsible for the pastoral care of its members. Some groups have selected one person to be responsible for this area while others care for each other collectively.

the pastoral care action group

The PCAG is the group responsible for overseeing the pastoral care aspects of the church's ministry. It meets each Monday morning to plan the caring for the week and to pray for those in particular need. If you would like to get in touch with them or tell them about someone you're concerned for please click the 'contact us' button

pastoral carers

Church members who do not attend a home group can be linked with a 'pastoral carer'. These people have the valuable ministry of discreetly caring for a small group of people based, as far as possible, on our natural friendships. These pastoral carers meet regularly for training and support and are the church's representatives when a need or crisis arrives. Much christian caring takes place quite spontaneously within the fellowship of the church and we encourage this to happen.

the prayer chain

There is a small group of people in the church whose ministry is to pray for anyone in particular need or facing an immediate difficulty. If you would like them to pray for you in connection with some area of concern, you should contact the church office

personal support and counselling

Most of us need personal (and often confidential) help or support at some time. At Victoria the pastoral care team and other experienced church members are available for this purpose if you want to talk through something that concerns you. We can, in some situations, put you in touch with other experienced people outside the orbit of the church and we work alongside NHS and other professional services where that is appropriate. We do not make a fuss about our support ministry in public, but we want you to know that it's there for the time when you need it.

personal prayer ministry

We sometimes have times of individual prayer as part of our Sunday worship. If you want to receive personal ministry on these occasions you are free to request it - usually by going to the prayer zone. Incidentally, you don't have to 'have a problem' for someone to pray with you here! After all, what could be more natural than christians praying with each other when we worship?

"Carry each others burdens and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2.