“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom” (Colossians 3:16).
“Each of you should look not only to their own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4).
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).
At St John’s Downshire Hill we seek to be a church where we welcome and care for one another as God has welcomed and cared for us in Christ.
We do this in a wide variety of ways: sharing God’s word with one another in groups and individually; praying for one another; building friendships that extend beyond our meetings and services; and offering practical love, help, and advice both in times of crisis and in the everyday moments of life.
In a church of our size it can be hard to know where to turn if you are struggling with a particular issue. Here are some of the ways we try to support one another:
- We encourage every member of SJDH to be involved in a small group of some kind that meets midweek. These groups offer a natural space to share the ups and downs of life and are often the first place to seek help when you’re facing a challenge.
- Our word ministry staff are always very happy to be approached about any issue at all, including issues that may be more personal and less suitable for sharing in a group. You can contact staff via their emails on the staff team page or speak to them before or after a service on a Sunday.
- Staff members may offer to meet with you and/or may make a recommendation of more specialised help inside or outside the church. Our church family is blessed with a number of people with expertise in areas such as medicine, law, finance or property, who may in certain circumstances be happy to offer informal advice. In other cases, staff can connect you with professional Christian counselling if this is appropriate.
- St John’s Downshire Hill takes the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults seriously and works hard to ensure that everything we do, including in our pastoral care, is in line with current best practice as recommended by the Diocese of London.