Commitment to Spiritual Care
The hope of Perimeter Church is to shepherd our church members in their spiritual care, growth in grace, and relationship with Christ. For shepherding to be effective, a mutual commitment is required of church leaders and church members. This Commitment to Spiritual Care is the “how to” in answering the BCO membership question, “Do you submit yourself to the government and discipline of the Church, and promise to study its purity and peace?” Thus, we ask that you read and agree to this Commitment to Spiritual Care.
In our journey of faith and spiritual growth, we are going to face very real challenges and struggles with sin. The great news of the gospel is that God has given us His sanctifying Spirit to transform us into the image of Christ. God has also given Shepherds (Pastors and Elders) in the Church to walk with us in our struggles, to pray for us, and to point us to Jesus.
Pursuing Peace
There can be occasions in which we are caught up in and frustrated by besetting (enslaving) sin. There can also be times when we are blind to our sin. We just don’t see it. If and when you and/or your family members face situations of besetting sin and/or spiritual blindness, you can reach out to the Church and we will respond with love and spiritual care. Besetting sin and spiritual blindness, if not appropriately dealt with, can lead to conflict with others (i.e. spouse, children, neighbors, coworkers, or other church members), and conflict, if not addressed, can be devastating to our relationships. Shepherding our members through sin and conflict resolution is one of the primary purposes and highest priorities of the Shepherding Department at Perimeter Church. If and when you experience conflict, (especially in your marriage and/or family), it is the expectation that Perimeter Church leadership and members strive to follow Jesus’ pathway to reconciliation as is found in Matthew 18:15-17.
Matthew 18:15-17
“15 If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.”
These steps are included in the “Spiritual Care Process” below.
Spiritual Care Process
I agree with and submit to the Spiritual Care Process as has been approved by the Session (EMT – Elder Ministry Team) of Perimeter Church.
Members are encouraged to use discretion in sharing about conflicts, keeping communication to the minimum number of people who need to know.
I have read, understand and commit to the Commitment to Spiritual Care of Perimeter Church.
Spiritual Care Process
as is provided in Matthew 18:15-17
- Extend grace – We encourage members to extend grace and to forgive others as Jesus has forgiven you, as instructed in Colossians 3:12-13, “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
- Go to the person – When an offense cannot be overlooked, the member should approach the person who has offended them (per Matthew 18:15) and, in a spirit of love and humility, bring it to his or her attention.
- Ask a friend or two for help – If reconciliation and understanding do not result from this one-on-one
meeting, Matthew 18:16 instructs us to encourage the offended party to enlist the help of a close brother or sister in Christ and attempt to work through the conflict. - Ask the church for help – If attempts to work out the conflict fail, the church member should contact the church (i.e. your Area Pastor, Elder Shepherd, and/or the Pastoral Care/Shepherding
- Spiritual Care Team – The Shepherding Department will assess the situation, and if needed, assign a Spiritual Care Team (SCT), consisting of Elders and other leaders, to come alongside those in conflict. The SCT will not side with one party, but it will help both parties to identify sin, confess and pray for true repentance and reconciliation by the power of the Spirit.
- Church Discipline – If one or both parties are not willing to reconcile, the SCT may transition the conflict, under the direction of the Session of Perimeter Church, to a church discipline case with the hope of restoration and reconciliation through the use of church censures, which can include suspension from the Lord’s Table, and as a last resort, ex-communication. Both of these censures are used as an act of love and with the hope of restoration as commanded by the Lord.
