As a church, we all have a part to play in discipling each other and in caring for those in need. However, we also recognise that some in the church are particularly gifted for this sort of thing, so we've established two volunteer teams to help with this work, the pastoral team and the care team. The pastoral team assist the elder couples and life group leaders in providing pastoral care (e.g. helping folk who are struggling in their faith). The care team help with practical support. Both these ministries are led by Laura Twemlow, who serves as a deacon and as our part-time pastoral coordinator.
Let's get to know Laura and the two teams a bit better with a few questions below!
Hi Laura! Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I’m originally from Connecticut, USA, but moved to London at age 20 and finished my degree at LSE. I’m an only child of two amazing parents who adopted me when I was six weeks old. They both love Jesus a lot and helped me to know the Lord. I met Pete, my husband, at Westminster Chapel where we were both part of the same Bible study. We now have two boys, Eli and Matthias who are in primary school. In my free time I love cooking and baking… and eating.
How did you come to joining Grace London's staff team?
Before Grace, I worked for seven years at Westminster Chapel, where I did some pastoral training at CCEF through distance learning and at Oak Hill College. I also had the privilege of shadowing Greg and Ruth Haslam during counselling sessions and learning from them.
Pastoral Team
The pastoral team is designed to help supplement the amazing pastoral work that life group leaders do to provide care and counsel to folk in their groups. As the church grows, there are more people looking for some discipleship, help in a specific area of struggle, or perhaps need some support during a difficult time. The pastoral team exists so that more people can have one-on-one pastoral support if they need it.
Did you have any goals or hopes when you first began your role as the pastoral coordinator and how has it worked out so far?
A major hope was to help unburden Jeremy, Andrew and their wives, because it was becoming difficult for them to be able to keep on top of the pastoral needs. Our goal was never to just supplement them myself, but to build a team of volunteers with a passion for helping people in this way. We have been able to grow a team of about 15 volunteers which has been amazing. We meet together to discuss specific pastoral topics and learn together how to apply biblical truth to life's challenges.
What has been challenging about leading this team?
It’s always a challenge to understand different mental health struggles e.g. how best to help and support people with clinical depression or debilitating anxiety for example. We are learning how best to support people from a Christian perspective, whilst also signposting them towards professional counselling.
How do you hope the pastoral team will grow or evolve in future years?
We'd like to keep growing as a team, both numerically, and in our understanding of how to apply biblical truth to life's challenges.
Care Team
Not many people might be aware Grace has a care team. Can you share with us a bit of what you guys do?
We try to keep an ear to the ground to help with the more practical aspects of caring for folk, including things like organising meal rotas (e.g. after someone has had a baby), coordinating financial assistance, organising childcare, and arranging care packages for those who are going through difficult times.
How can the church best pray for you and the teams?
I would definitely value prayers for myself and the teams. For wisdom to know how to respond best to different pastoral situations, for ongoing encouragement for all of us to keep pressing into the Lord as we serve.
Are there any verses or wise advice you keep with you when days get hard serving others?
It’s good to try to think of every situation as an opportunity for us to grow and learn and to develop more Christ-like character. Deuteronomy 31:6 has been an encouragement to me lately: "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Any books you recommend people to read when walking with others?
Winning the War on Worry by Louie Giglio - Speaking from his own personal experience of anxiety and depression, Louie Giglio writes a down-to-earth easy-to-read book on anxiety from a Christian's perspective. There are questions at the end of each chapter for reflection on your own, or as part of a small group.
Side by Side by Ed Welch - A really helpful read for every church member. Ed Welch provides a short, but powerful, guide for the believer about how to do life together and help each other meaningfully through life's peaks and troughs.
We hope you enjoyed getting to know Laura, the pastoral and care teams better.