Pastor of Congregational Care and Family Ministries Eric Channing

Eric Channing

All of us are coming off a year unlike any other. The pandemic changed certain ways we did ministry over the past 12 months. One major shift was the sudden transition from in-person ministry to internet and phone ministry:

Internet ministry

This past year I met with many congregants online, via Zoom. Our pre-marriage class, Becoming One, began in-person but concluded via Zoom. Various leadership meetings were conducted online as well. While I am thankful for the technology which enabled ongoing connection, I am very glad that we are beginning to meet once again face to face.

Phone ministry

Early in the pandemic, the pastors, directors and elders endeavored to call everyone at College Church not directly connected to a specific ministry. These brief touch points were a helpful way to stay connected during an abnormal year.

While much of my time was spent in pastoral care/counsel and in providing leadership response to the pandemic, here are some updates from the past year on three other areas of ministry that I oversee:

Deaconesses

I say this every year, but the deaconesses at College Church are amazing! They continued to serve the congregation in behind-the-scenes ways through visitation, writing letters of encouragement or condolence, providing meals to those in need, administering financial assistance through the Care and Share fund and the list goes on. This year the deaconesses continued a dialogue with the deacons about how the two groups could work together in the future. I’m encouraged with the possibilities.

Pastoral Residency

This year we saw Jacob Warren called to a position at New Covenant Church, which is one of our church plants. Additionally, Erick Solomon transitioned to a campus pastor role at the Tri Village campus of Wheaton Bible Church. Most recently, Mike Solis accepted a pastorate in Minnesota. Josh Maurer joined the resident roster this year, and thrived while working primarily with Pastors Moody and Dewar. Michael Walker will be continuing as a resident for one more year, and he’ll be serving in adult discipleship ministries. It is a joy to serve alongside such gifted and godly men. In June we hope to add one more resident to the pastoral staff. Please be in prayer for whom God may be calling to this strategic role.

Visitation

Our visitation ministry was somewhat hampered by the pandemic. Even so, Diane Jordan, Jacob Warren and Mike Solis all faithfully connected with our senior saints via phone and email over the past year. We look forward to the day when pastoral visits can resume.

On a personal note, along with all of you, I will deeply miss Pastor Josh Stringer and his family. Josh has been a faithful co-laborer and friend my entire tenure at College Church. Thank you, Josh, for showing us Christ, and for shepherding so well. We’re excited to see how God will use you in your next ministry assignment.