1) The document summarizes Dr. Stephen Grcevich's experience growing up Catholic and becoming involved in ministry for families with children with disabilities through his church.
2) It describes how a series of events led him to found Key Ministry, a nonprofit providing resources and support to help churches serve families of children with disabilities.
3) The document encourages readers to consider ways they have been uniquely positioned by God for ministry work and provides suggestions for discerning and pursuing a potential ministry calling.
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Chagrin Valley Men's Fellowship 022513
1. Does God Have a Plan For Your
Circumstances?
Stephen Grcevich, MD
President and Founder, Family Center by the Falls
Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Northeast Ohio Medical University
Chairman, Board of Directors, Key Ministry
Chagrin Valley Men’s Fellowship
Chagrin Falls, OH
February 25, 2013
2. My Story…
The Grcevich family (1969)
Grew up in Catholic family
Father became “born-again”
in 1975
I explored other Christian
traditions after leaving home
Became connected to Bay
Presbyterian Church during
residency at Cleveland Clinic
Remained involved with BPC
after moving east, marriage
3. God’s hand in the circumstances?
1997-2002…an interesting
time?
Why don’t you do it?
Elected to BPC Elder Board
Struggles of BPC families
following Eastern European
adoption with kids experiencing
“hidden disabilities”
Opportunities to teach…and
share the need for ministry to
families of kids with emotional,
behavioral, developmental
disorders
4. A series of coincidences?
One of the few actively Christian physicians
specializing in child and adolescent psychiatry…
Is actively involved in leadership at a church 37
miles one way from his home?
That recognizes a need for ministry to families with
emotional/behavioral/neurologic disabilities?
Is given the opportunity to travel the U.S. and share
the work his home church is doing with other child-
serving professionals?
Is in a church with a reputation for supporting
“entrepreneurs in Christ?”
5. Are you an “entrepreneur for Christ?”
People who have seen Christ at work first-hand
within the church’s walls and who have
responded in faith by initiating their own
ministries both inside and outside BPC, often
with the active support of the church itself.
Bay Presbyterian Church Website (2011)
6. What does Key Ministry do?
YouTube: http://youtu.be/k84nRn_ei8U
8. What Key Ministry offers…
Free training, consultation to
churches (JAM Sessions)
Relationship along with
resources (Key Holders)
Free Respite training, software
Website containing over 200
downloadable resources, video
training library
Hosts Inclusion
Fusion…worldwide, Special
Needs Ministry Web Summit
9. Key Ministry…
In 2012… And beyond?
Live training to hundreds of “Boots on the ground” in
pastors, volunteers in ten major metropolitan areas
states across U.S.
Invited to present at seven Regional respite networks
major ministry conferences Training through seminaries?
Blogs, website accessed from Online training platform
139 countries (325K+ page
Online church
views)
Revamped website, training
library
10. Three additional “burdens” for me…
The online church for families impacted by
disabilities…
Wanting to see the Chagrin Valley transformed
by strong families taking responsibility for
passing along their faith to the next generation
Wanting other mature Christians to have the
opportunity I had…help in pursuing the “God
thing” I’d been positioned for
11. My hypotheses…
Preparation for highly specific ministry callings through
life experience is common
Most Christians fail to respond to their “nudge” from God
because of…Not knowing how to take the next step
Churches/traditions discourage personal ministry
Fear
Competing priorities
12. What has God uniquely positioned you to do?
Upbringing/education
Geography…where you live and work
Vocation
Relationships
Life experiences
Natural talents and abilities
Spiritual gifts
Passions/interests
13. Are you “called?”
Do you sense a “persistent pull” to a specific
Kingdom work
Does it fit with your giftedness?
Are doors opening to support the work?
Is it validated by other mature believers?
Does your spouse affirm it?
15. Discussion Questions..
What would you do to advance the Kingdom if
God allowed you to choose any type of ministry
you desired?
How has God unmistakably orchestrated your
circumstances in the past to position you to
minister to others?
Is there a specific ministry need that God
repeatedly brings to your attention? If you
haven’t responded, what’s getting in the way?
16. Action Items…
1. If you’re discerning whether God might be
nudging you toward a specific ministry calling,
share it with the guys on the email invitation list
for tonight, so others can pray for you…and
2. Seek out at least one other man who might
help you to discern/pursue God’s direction
3. If you’re not sensing a “nudge” from God, offer
to meet with one guy who does to lend support
17. How can you help Key Ministry?
Pray for our team!
Spread the word through social media with churches and
families
Volunteer your time and talent
Contribute financially…
(scan QR code at right)