What Counts as Care? Rethinking Ministry Beyond Meals and Visits

Here at The Church Cares, we aim to nurture the congregational care helpers. That’s why we’re proud to offer free high-quality support to those who want to pray, care, and engage more effectively with the hurting world around them.

by Jennifer Ripley, Ph.D., Co-Director of The Church Cares, Psychologist and Professor at Regent University.

A fresh vision for churches that want to care like Christ—body, mind, and soul.

When most people hear the phrase “care ministry,” they think of casseroles after surgery, hospital visits, and maybe a prayer chain.

All of these are meaningful and biblical. But what if that’s only part of the picture?

In today’s world, people are walking through your church doors with wounds that aren’t visible on a prayer list. They’re carrying anxiety they can’t explain. Trauma they don’t have words for. Marriages on the edge. Silent battles with addiction, shame, or depression.

They don’t always need a diagnosis. But they do need care.

The Church is already positioned to meet these needs, if we can see them clearly. That starts with redefining the question: What counts as care?

1. Care Is More Than a Crisis Response

We often care well in emergencies, when someone is hospitalized, or a death occurs. We rally meals, send flowers, and organize volunteers. But emotional and mental distress doesn’t follow a clean timeline.

Grief lingers. Burnout builds slowly. Searching for a new job can take months. People can feel overwhelmed for months before they ever say a word.

Care isn’t just about responding to emergencies. It’s about recognizing pain—early, quietly, and faithfully. Listening to the woman who’s silently drowning in caregiving stress.Noticing the young dad who hasn’t smiled in weeks. Asking “How are you really doing?”—and meaning it.

“No one escapes pain… whether it’s marriage disappointment, financial strain, or quiet anxiety that makes life hard”.

2. Care Is Relational, Not Just Logistical

We often define care by what we do: Bring food. Make a call. Coordinate volunteers.

But what people often need most is not action—it’s presence. Someone to sit with them. Listen. Pray. Someone who says, “You’re not crazy. You’re not alone. I’m here.”

Relational care means being with someone in their mess, not fixing it. This is where the church shines—when we stop trying to solve, and start trying to stay.

“Care begins with showing up, listening well, and walking with people through their pain.”

3. Care Happens Before—and After—Professional Help

The rise in mental health awareness is good. Referring people to trusted therapists or counselors is often wise.

But referring away can sometimes send the message: “Come back when you're better.”

Instead, churches can become places of healing in the in-between:

• While someone is waiting for a counseling appointment

• When a person can’t afford long-term therapy

• As ongoing community during and after treatment

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This is where trained lay caregivers, equipped through tools like the Care, Prayer, Share course, can step in. They provide a listening presence, spiritual encouragement, and steady support that therapists simply can’t offer every week.

“Volunteers become a hopeful, Christ-centered presence for those in distress.”

4. Care Is for the Hidden Hurts

A church member might not reach out when their child is diagnosed with anxiety. A single parent might not speak up when they're emotionally depleted. A man struggling with addiction might show up to serve, but feel too ashamed to ask for help.

This is why care ministry needs more than a sign-up sheet. It needs pathways for private, personal requests, like a simple digital form, a discreet phone line, or a trusted Care Coordinator who follows up with grace.

When care is safe and accessible, people step forward. And when they do, they meet the love of Christ—not judgment or shame.

“Make it easy for people to ask for help.”

5. Care Reflects the Heart of the Gospel

Jesus didn’t just teach the crowds. He touched the leper. He noticed the bleeding woman. He wept with Mary and Martha.

Real care sees people. Stays with people. And points people to hope that holds in every storm.

When your church rethinks care beyond logistics—beyond meals and visits—you don’t just improve a ministry. You embody the gospel.

Final Thought

The truth is: every church already has what it needs to care well.Not because you have therapists on staff.But because you have people with compassion, presence, and the Spirit of Christ.

All they need is a little training. A little structure. And a shared vision that says:

We see you. We’re with you. And no one in our church will hurt alone.

Would you like help expanding your care ministry beyond meals and moments?Visit TheChurchCares.com for free training and tools that help churches create sustainable, Christ-centered care for emotional, relational, and spiritual needs.