NETWORK OF CARE
At Four Oaks Midtown we desire to come alongside you in both your joy and sorrow so that we might help one another live in the awareness of God’s presence and see our whole lives through the grace of Jesus Christ. Some ways we seek to care for the physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual needs of our church is through the ordinary means of grace, ministries and other care avenues listed below. Use any of the buttons below to request care or learn more.
If you are in a crisis and need to speak with a pastor immediately, please email the church and someone will contact you in less than 24 hours.
“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” ”
Corporate Worship
Gathering corporately to worship alongside other believers is a means of grace that the Lord has provided his people on Sunday mornings. As we sing together, we remind and proclaim the gospel to ourselves and one another. In prayer, we align our hearts with God’s heart, and through preaching we place ourselves under the authority of Scripture. As we take part in the sacraments – baptism and the Lord’s Supper, we are united to Christ in his life and death. These ordinary means of grace are meant to reorient our hearts and our lives to the Gospel Story and should not be neglected, squandered, or taken for granted. We are a forgetful people, so we come together each week to be reminded of who God is and who we are as part of our progressive sanctification.
Groups Ministry
Groups are made up of people who do life together, particularly committed to the core functions of discipleship, care, and mission. They are led by trained lay leaders who are given ongoing support and oversight by our elders and pastors. Community Groups, Explore Groups, and Bible Studies are the primary types of groups offered at Midtown.
Spiritual Formation
As a church, we desire to help the body of Christ grow in maturity together. The focus of these classes and weekends is on educating the body in biblical knowledge, soul care, building up the church to care for one another, and aiding individuals and families in their own growth.
Equip Classes - Equip classes are usually held once or twice a semester and focus on an aspect of theological development and equipping.
Marriage & Parenting Weekends - Four Oaks Midtown periodically hosts a weekend where we set aside intentional time to engage these topics. These weekends include brief teaching, encouragement, and time for couples to reflect on and discuss content. Childcare is provided. Click here to see when the next focus weekend is being held.
Pastoral Care
Pastoral care is care by a pastor or lay elder of Four Oaks that is generally short-term. Pastors and elders help people understand their story in light of their relationship with God and then help them live more fully in that understanding. The focus is helping a person live before the face of God in light of their story.
Lay Counseling
Lay counselors are skilled friends who offer mid-length (generally 8-12 weeks) care through dialogue that blends discipleship, accountability, and at times a guided process. These members of Four Oaks Midtown have received training to help them listen to your story and know how to speak words of hope and truth into your life.
Referrals & Resources
Counseling within Four Oaks is limited to pastoral care and lay counselors who are not vocational counselors. We recognize that we can all benefit at times from people who have additional training and expertise. We have created a list of Counseling Resources and outlined some guiding principles that may be helpful as you determine what kind of care is needed.
Care Ministry
We are instructed to, “Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ”. (Galatians 6:2). This compassionate team seeks to mobilize resources in our church to best care for a person or family in need. While needs are quite diverse, typical requests include employment assistance, handyman repairs, moving help, and financial counseling & assistance (led by our benevolence team). Once the Care Request Form is completed, a care team member will contact you within 24-48 hours to review information on the form, ask for more details where necessary, and provide a timetable for follow-up.
Visitation & Prayer
"Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well" (James 5:14-15).
Wedding & Pre-marital
At Four Oaks Midtown, we long to see new marriages formed that are God-centered, Christ-exalting, and Spirit-led. Through pre-marital care and officiating weddings, we walk alongside couples as they begin marriage. If you would like to have your wedding at Four Oaks Midtown, please read and complete the Facility Use for Weddings Form. You may also request pre-marital counseling.
Funerals
The elders of Four Oaks Midtown desire to care for the church through loss and grief. Through their presence and their prayer, elders are able to weep with those who weep through the comfort and hope we’ve received from Jesus. If you would like to use the church for a funeral service, please complete the Facility Use Form. Please let us know if you’d like to speak and pray with an elder.
If you are in a crisis and need to speak with a pastor immediately, please email the church and someone will contact you in less than 24 hours.