Hello Friends, The idea for the following concept has been formulating for awhile now.
We’re grateful to Shawn for putting words and format to these ideas. Pastor Karla
The Circle of Gentle Grace:
There are many of our brothers and sisters in Christ who can no longer use or access the abilities or gifts that were given to them by The Father. They may have physical, neurological, and mental disability or other ailments. We are providing support that we are calling, “The Circle of Gentle Grace” for the infirmed in our church and community. As a church body we are providing a sanctuary for them.
Many of them are in pain all of the time. Some have good days when they are almost “normal” and other days just being awake is all they can handle. Some never get any real relief or have such bad side effects from the medication that they feel sick and not coherent.
Most are very fragile in many ways. For some, the gentle hand on a shoulder produces agonizing pain. Shaking hands can feel like their body is being ripped apart and can lead to more damage or long-term pain. Many are there just out of force of will and a want to worship there. They put on their best smile and respond with “I’m doing OK” as they try to forget their problems for just a little bit.
All of these people have something in common: the need to be included. To be part of the ministry and to enjoy a worship service. Most will be in the outer sides or back of the church and may seem to be antisocial, or in a panic or fearful. This has come from learned experiences. Eventually they will stop coming out of fear of being hurt, that often will take days or even weeks to recover from.
Most are not looking for sympathy and cannot handle the 60-question grilling of how did this happen, or have you tried this or that, from well-meaning individuals. They do not want to be singled out or put in the spotlight or be told “If you just had more faith this would go away”. Sometimes God’s answer is no, for a reason that we do not understand. They do not want to make a “scene” or be an embarrassment in public. They want to be part of the church body and feel included the way they were before.
We as a church, are making room for these individuals in the Circle of Gentle Grace. We are asking for assistance in this from the church body. A kind word of support, moving out of the way, asking before gently touching someone, helping to rearrange the church seating for services and during communion. We want to pass this word to other members and guests.
These members are also an important asset to the Church. Many of them are our back line of support, our prayer warriors. They have the time and want to spend time in prayer while we are at work, school, and taking care of our own families. We need to make sure that we are supporting their needs as well.
Blessings from The Father, his son Jesus Christ, and The Holy Spirit to all who are in need.
Shawn Logsdon