Pastoral Care Coordinator

District Leadership is committed to provide a high quality of Pastoral Care for the nearly 500 Credential Holders in the ABNWT PAOC District. This care is facilitated through the office of the Pastoral Care Coordinator. The Coordinator works under the supervision of the Director of Development and Care, and alongside the Pastoral Care Committee, to continually improve the level of immediate, intimate and ongoing care that is offered.  The goal of this ministry is twofold: to provide  primary care to each Credential Holder and to develop a network of care that enriches their lives and validates their ministry over time. This service reaches out to include immediate family members of Credential Holders as well.

To this end, the Pastoral Care Coordinator is available for contact and conversation at anytime on personal and ministry matters. Drawing on his own ministry experience, the experience of the District Executive members, and on an ever developing list of Christian Counseling Professionals and Respite Centres, the Coordinator is able to provide help that is specific to each need. A process of referral to Professional Counseling has been developed, which helps to ease the financial burden on the Credential Holder.

In order to create an ongoing environment of support, the first phase of a network of mutual care has been initiated. Groups of Credential Holders, who serve in similar ministry roles, are being encouraged to interact, with one another, for purposes of visioning, resourcing and mutual encouragement. These groups are called Affinity Support Groups and are being resourced by the District and led by appointed Credential Holders. There are presently 14 of these groups in operation, or in some stage of development.

Credential Holder Care is continually developing and improving within the District. Watch the website for announcements of new and significant changes in the months ahead.

For more information or to talk to the Pastoral Care Coordinator, please contact Al Downey.