Cedar Creek laypeople learn
to be pastoral care shepherds

Cedar Creek UMC played host to the first Lay Pastoral Care Training event in Southwest Texas June 24-25.
The Rev. Michael T. Curd, former vice president for pastoral care at Methodist Healthcare System of San Antonio, led the 16-hour seminar.
Participants from the 382-member Cedar Creek congregation followed a 25-page workbook to learn about scriptural perspectives on pastoral care, communication skills, conflict resolution, grief enabling and care for the caregiver.
“We want each family to have a ‘shepherd’ to extend pastoral care as we continue to grow,” said the Rev. D. Stanton “Stan” Whites, pastor. “We want to create personal touch points for ministry.
“We want people to recognize they are cared about and loved.”
Initial participants were selected for the “shepherd” training based on their Christian maturity and empathy, he said.
Lay Leader Ed Loundy said he thought much was “gained to build confidence of the shepherds.”
The training is one part of a strategic plan to meet the needs of a rapidly growing community and congregation,” said Curd, now director of the Institute of Pastoral Care. The program turns lay volunteers into “ministry multipliers” in offering Christ to all.
Besides presentations, the 16 hours of training included worship, Bible study and experiential learning exercises.