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Support Group Session

Starting a Care Ministry

If your church already cares well but wants to grow in skill and impact,

The Church Cares strategy helps you build a full ministry to support those facing personal, family, or mental health challenges. Ready to take the next step?

Cast the Vision with your Leaders

  • Share the “why”: Mental health is a growing crisis, and the church is uniquely positioned to respond with Christ-centered care.
  • ​Use simple visuals like “The Triangle Model” (Pastors/Pros, Trained Helpers, LayListeners) to show how everyone can play a role.
  • Reference the book When Hurting People Come to Church to understand the model.

Launch with the 6 Week Care, Prayer, Share Course

  • This is your entry ramp for church-wide engagement.
  • Use the free video-based curriculum to train a broad group of interested volunteers. Roleplay, discuss, and identify those who show wisdom, empathy, and spiritual maturity.

Identify & Epuip your Care Team

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  • ​Select a smaller team for deeper care ministry.
  • ​​Assign roles like Care Coordinator, Lay Listeners, and Trained Group Leaders
  • Offer additional training with the resources on our site. 
  • Consider adding online help.  7cups has a specific section for The Church Cares.  Your church helpers could engage the people on this app to provide care for them. 
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Create a clear referral and support path

  • Use “referrals with,” not “referrals out”—keeping people connected to the church even as they engage with professionals.
  • You will create a resource guide and set up a workflow specific to your church.
  • Empower the Care Coordinator to triage needs, connect people to the right layer of support, and track follow-up.

Integrate Care into the Life of the Church

  • Plug more people into existing ministries like small groups, grief support, recovery groups, or Bible studies.
  • Celebrate stories of healing and growth.
  • Encourage regular prayer and pastoral support alongside the Care network.

This isn’t just about mental health—it’s about discipleship, hospitality, and evangelism in a hurting world.
The Church Cares gives you a roadmap that’s spiritual, practical, and sustainable. 

Ready to talk with us about Partnering?

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