As people let us know that they would like to worship at Downtown, we make sure that a shepherd is given the task of caring for the needs of that person or family. In this manner, each shepherd has a "Shepherding group" he watches out for of approximately 30 families.
GOALS OF DOWNTOWN SHEPHERDS - The goal as Downtown Shepherds is to unite, equip and mobilize our church family to be God’s instrument to “seek the lost, bring back the strays, bind up the injured, and strengthen the weak” (Ezek. 34:16). Compelled by this vision they adhere to the following principles in shepherding:
- Provide leadership so that all decisions, and every Downtown ministry, will reflect the priorities of seeking the lost, bringing back the strays, binding up the injured and to strengthening the weak (Ez. 34:16).
- Seek God’s will in prayer and lead the congregation to become more of a praying church.
- Provide leadership that will foster spiritual and numerical growth.
- Provide leadership for Downtown to be a warm, welcoming congregation to people of all ages and especially sensitive to both newcomers without a church background and transfers from other congregations.
- Ultimate goal is to please God. The desire is for all members to be happy here; however, satisfying everyone cannot and will not be a guiding principle in decision-making.
To maintain the unity of the spirit and the bond of peace, the shepherds will be careful to distinguish between a “stumbling block” that causes someone to fall back into sin, and a violation of someone’s comfort zone. The shepherds will not address “stumbling blocks” and “comfort zone violations” as if they are the same thing. We will teach against both the spirit that would inspire someone to flaunt their freedom in a haughty way, and the spirit that would inspire someone to impose their opinions and preferences about non-biblical matters on others (Rom. 14-15). See the "Elders Charge" for 2007.
The Shepherds have also committed to strengthening marriages and preventing divorces. Please see their statement on this issue.
(To see a list of Deacons, see our Full Ministry list, where you will find their names as the Team Leaders for each Ministry. )
This is a list of our current shepherds.
| Curt Baker (Judy) | |
| Jerry Bowling (Joan) | |
| Ross Cochran (Nita) | |
| Monte Cox (Beth) | |
| Mark Davis (Penny) | |
| Pat Garner (Mona Lee) | |
| Albert Green (Cynthia) | |
| David Hatfield (Nancy) | |
| Phil Hoggard (Judy) | |
| Terry Kernodle (Pat) | |
| Michael Lincoln (Shelley) | |
| Brian Mayhall (Danna) | |
| Ken Neller (Barbara) | |
| Gary Ross (Alyse) | |
| Gary Stephenson (Pam) | |
| Dan Stockstill (Cindee) | |
| Mike Taylor (Vicki) |
Graphic Design by Renee Lewis, church member
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