Conceptualizing and Actualizing a Collaborative Holistic Caring Ministry Using Two Projects in Richmond Hill Christian Community Church, Toronto, Canada

Abstract

Rapidly growing, need-based church ministries can generate tension and competition among ministries due to resource limitations. Redundancy in ministry efforts reduces their effectiveness in addressing the needs of individuals and congregations. To address these challenges, the leaders of Richmond Hill Christian Community Church (RHCCC) have taken steps to improve the execution of a holistic caring ministry by transitioning the church towards a collaborative and incarnational ministry of care. This study examines the approach taken by RHCCC and the nature of holistic pastoral care from biblical, theological, and historical perspectives. Since individual wholeness is finally achieved only through the redemptive power of Jesus Christ, evangelism and care are intertwined in the pastoral caregiving process. Strategic planning was employed in the process. A Caring Ministry Handbook was developed to promote clarification and collaboration in ministry strategy, alignment and operation. An action research was taken using two pilot programs to address people's bio-psycho-socio-spiritual well-being. Pastoral care and discipleship were integrated, with lay Christian counselling and parish nursing being prominent parts of the process. Ministry collaboration was observed to facilitate the process of actualizing holistic ministry services. Partnerships both inside and outside of the church served as platforms for the leaders, the ministries, and the church to touch lives and promote wholeness, proclaim Christ, and witness the love of God with results that impact the church and beyond.