Mike didn’t measure life from birth to death. He measured it from conception to eternity. That’s why, even as his days here ended sooner than any of us wanted, he carried himself with strength and faith.

In Romans 8, Paul reminded Mike and reminds us that what we see now isn’t the whole story. He calls our present life “groaning.” Creation groans. Our bodies groan. Everything feels incomplete, waiting. It is the ache of time pressing in on us. But the Spirit whispers a bigger truth: this isn’t the end of the line.

He knew life in this fallen world was complicated. But when he and I would talk about this passage, what lit that gleam in his eye—what really got him fired up—was this deep conviction that God could take hard things, broken things, even wheelchair-shaped things, and use them to build endurance and grow our faith in Christ.

These moments of relationship upheaval are when the church family's role becomes more crucial than ever. But how do we navigate this delicate terrain as a church? How do we avoid overwhelming people with our assistance? How do we reach out without them feeling like we are intruding in their business? How can we offer just the right amount of care and support without causing them to withdraw from the church community during their time of need?

So, how do we create a safety net that supports without smothering? Let me share what I've developed over my 25 years of pastoral ministry and the culture of care we aim to continue propagating at Newstart.

Common frustrations voiced within hierarchical church structures include feeling out of the loop, undervalued, and craving a more participative approach. Discover how embracing a fractal structure can transform your church into a more agile, inclusive, and effective body of Christ.