Gordon UMC Commissions Congregational Care Team
Rev. Kristen Glover commissions members of the new Congregational Care Team at Gordon UMC on Aug. 17, 2025.
Gordon United Methodist Church commissioned a new Congregational Care Team on Aug. 17, 2025, during worship at the close of its summer series, The Lost Art of Listening.
The worship series focused on the spiritual practice of listening, and each week featured a ministry moment highlighting different components of the care team. The series provided a natural opportunity to introduce team members to the congregation.
Rev. Kristen Glover, senior pastor at Gordon UMC, commissioned nine of the 10 members of the Congregational Care Team during worship. As part of the service, Glover anointed their hands with oil and shared the charge from John 21:15-19: “Go and feed God’s sheep.”
The Congregational Care Team’s formation began in fall 2024 after several church members attended the Horizon Texas Conference’s two-day Care Ministry Seminar hosted at First UMC Granbury. Since then, the team has expanded and organized into five areas of ministry: prayer ministry, visitation team, greeters and membership, hospitality, health cabinet (led by a faith community nurse who is a member of the church).
The framework offered by the HTC Congregational Care initiative allowed Gordon UMC to expand existing ministries and address gaps in care identified within the congregation. Over the past year, the team has completed training, launched new practices and conducted its first evaluation.
The ministry also played a role in the congregation’s response when a tornado struck Gordon earlier this year.
“The team has already responded in powerful ways, and we’re working together now to develop community grief groups and other opportunities for healing,” said Rev. Joy Dister-Dominguez, Horizon Texas Conference director of care and healing. “I am excited and encouraged to see how this ministry continues to grow.”
Glover said the congregation has embraced the care team’s work. “It’s amazing to see the ways God has and continues to use us to care for our congregation and community,” she said.
Congregations interested in forming their own congregational care teams are encouraged to connect with Rev. Joy Dister-Dominguez for resources, training opportunities and guidance.