I met with one of my mentees this morning. I mentor two part-time pastors. One who is an older woman who is a licensed local pastor who serves two small rural congregations. The other is a young student pastor who is working his way through the candidacy program toward ordination while attending seminary and serving three churches. It was Jason I was visiting with this morning.
During our conversation, we got on the topic of pastoral care. It’s long been my contention that pastoral care is not primarily the work of the pastor. It is in fact, one of the ministries which should be completed by the laity. Maybe we should quit talking about “pastoral care” and talk instead about “members care.” After all, it’s the members who are receiving the care and members who should be providing it.
The pastor’s primary responsibility is “to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:12-13)
Unfortunately, this hasn’t been done very well in many congregations. Because of that people have come to expect “pastoral care.” And many pastors have been happy to oblige. My predecessor supposedly made 100 -120 visits each month. At least that’s what was reported to the Administrative Council. Is it any wonder that congregations can become addicted to pastoral care? Breaking through these old habits is a very difficult thing to do. At least try as I might, I haven’t been able to convince my congregation that they have the responsibility to provide members care. I’ve attempted several different things but to no avail. I’m sure there are people who are anxious for me to move so that they can once again “have a pastor that cares for them.”
The thing is, I care so deeply for the people of my congregation that I want them to grow in maturity and into the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. For when that happens, they will discover something that is far more enriching than having the pastor come to call. They will uncover their own spiritual giftedness and experience the awesome call of God on their lives. And that’s something worth getting excited about.
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