Pastoral Care: Overview

"And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee? And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethern, you did it to me." Matthew 25: 39 - 40.

Pastoral care encompasses activities related to caring for those in the church and the community.

Primary categories include the following:

visitation for those who are home-bound or in the hospital;
counseling;
informal care for the church community.

Pastoral care is important in the new church because it is the essence of the developing community of the church: How and how well do the people involved care for one another?

A successful pastoral care effort in a new church yields these results:

People feel loved and cared for;
People have a high level of trust and confidence in one another as care givers;
The community as a whole rallies around those who need support or assistance;
The community begins to feel like a family.

It should be assumed that the people who come together in the new church community will have needs. It should also be assumed that there will be little or no distinction between "members" of the church (those who have formally committed to the new church) and those who are involved but not yet totally engaged. Therefore, the Pastor must be prepared to deal with human needs from the beginning of the church's ministry, and must consider all members and "visitors" as candidates for Pastoral Care. He/she should begin to recruit volunteers very early in the process.

"I know men; and I tell you that Jesus Christ is no mere man. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force! Jesus Christ founded His empire upon love; and at this hour millions of men would die for Him." Napoleon.

Go on to Pastoral Care: How To Start

Last Modified 8/6/05 5:14 PM

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