In this episode of The Care Ministry Podcast, Laura Howe and Rebecca Bailey talk about how to intentionally develop a stronger care team without adding another overwhelming program to your calendar.

Training can easily become reactive. A difficult situation comes up, a volunteer feels unprepared, or someone finds a great workshop, and suddenly leaders are trying to fill another gap.

But developing a healthy care team is about more than giving people information.

Laura and Rebecca explore how leaders can look at the needs already showing up in their church, identify the foundational skills every caregiver needs, and create simple rhythms for ongoing development.

They also discuss the importance of presence, empathy, self-awareness, clear boundaries, and knowing when to bring others into the care process.

The goal is not to create caregivers who know everything. It is to intentionally develop people who can show up well, continue learning, and provide care with confidence, humility, and compassion.

“Who you are in the room is more important than what you know in the room as a caregiver.”
— Laura Howe

“Competence isn’t knowing everything. It’s recognizing your limits and knowing when to bring someone else into the care process.”
— Rebecca Bailey

“Some of the biggest aha moments happen through reflection rather than adding more layers of information.”
— Laura Howe

“The absence of mistakes and having perfection is not a reasonable goal in ministry. But how we repair and build resilience is.”
— Laura Howe

• Church Mental Health Summit
• Summit Circle
• Care Team Development Planner

Website: HopeMadeStrong.org
Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube
Amazon store: 🇨🇦Link 🇺🇸Link

The Church Mental Health Summit is almost here, and this episode gives you a preview of what’s coming.

Laura shares short excerpts from six Summit sessions, one from each track, and highlights a few of the ideas that can help shape stronger, more thoughtful care ministry.

Because the goal of the Summit isn’t to consume as much information as possible. It’s to find the one or two ideas that help you think differently, strengthen your care, or take a meaningful next step.

John Swinton | Spiritual Formation
Healing is bigger than curing. John explores shalom, relationship, and what it means to experience healing even when symptoms remain.

Elias Olmer | Leadership
What if behavior is information? Elias challenges leaders to look beneath what they see and become curious about what someone may be carrying.

Rachael Newham | Mental Health & Well-Being
Language matters. Rachael explores how the words we use can either reduce or reinforce stigma around mental illness.

Dr. Zoricelis Davila | Healing & Recovery
Grief doesn’t always look the way we expect. Dr. Davila reminds leaders to stay present long after the immediate crisis has passed.

Chuck Hunt & Dr. Aaron Rosales | Families & Students
Supporting mental health and making disciples are not separate things. Churches can help young people experience belonging, hope, and the presence of Jesus.

Brian Fikkert | Community & Outreach
Care is not only about doing things for people. Brian explores the difference between relief and development and the importance of walking with people.

The 2026 Church Mental Health Summit is happening October 7, 8 & 9.

You’ll hear from speakers from around the world through live Zoom and pre-recorded sessions across six tracks.

Free access is available each day for 24 hours.

Register here:
https://www.churchmentalhealthsummit.com

What care should your church actually provide?

In this coaching call, Laura talks with Eric Kuhn from Grace Spring Bible Church about how to discern what care belongs inside the church and what may be better supported through trusted partnerships.

As Grace Spring builds on its longstanding connection with Response Care Center, Laura and Eric explore how church vision, existing strengths, and congregational needs can help determine where to focus. They also talk about developing a culture of care, equipping group leaders as shepherd leaders, identifying administrative care roles, and building systems that support relationships rather than replace them.

You’ll hear practical ideas for knowing where to start, when to partner, and how to grow care in a way that is sustainable for your church.

“We need both. We need vine workers and we need trellis workers.”
Eric Kuhn

“We don’t want to reinvent the wheel.”
Eric Kuhn

“You might be scared out of your mind to even consider it, but we really want to walk with you.”
Eric Kuhn

“We have to make it our own, and we have to make it in a way that really fits us as a church.”
Eric Kuhn

Care Alignment Framework
Identify the intersection between your church’s vision, strengths, and the needs of your congregation so you can discern what care to build, what may need to wait, and where partnership can help.
https://www.hopemadestrong.org/care-alignment

Care Coordinator Resource
Explore the role of a care coordinator, including how administrative leadership, resource connection, and follow-up can strengthen your church’s care ministry.
https://www.hopemadestrong.org/care-coordinator-job-description

Free Care Ministry Planning Mini-Course
Join us in November for a free mini-course designed to help you assess your current care ministry, identify priorities, and prepare for 2027.
https://www.hopemadestrong.org/clarify-course

Website: HopeMadeStrong.org

Socials: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – YouTube
Amazon store: 🇨🇦Link 🇺🇸Link