I was thinking about this because I was talking to a friend recently to whom the notion of "pastoral care" was a strange new reality. This friend of mine has had many good preachers, theologians, and inspiring leaders in the churches he has attended, but never received the kind of pastoral care that I have been taught and which seems to be what I am here to do. How sad that there are so many people who need care, but are not being cared for in this way. And while yes, I know that all the people of God give care (and I am always trying to get my folks to be more active in this way), the pastor is unique. He stands in the Office as Christ's called and ordained representative in that place, the undershepherd of the Good Shepherd. Others may supplement his care, but cannot be a substitute for it.
And that's what my folks want me to be, and to do. As a result, I have missed a lot of my church's "Executive Board" (aka Church Council) meetings lately. This is the group of men and women that have been elected by the congregation to take care of the business aspects of the church. They meet after church once a month, but I am usually talking with visitors and members when they meet. And while I feel bad for not being with them, they understand, and want me to be doing this important pastoral work. And I know they can run the business parts of the church without me - and do it better than me! We trust each other.
How blessed I am to have such a church!
2 comments:
I feel the same way about my own - as an example, we're in the middle of planning for our annual Summer Camp. We need a bit more administrative oversight from the church over the program. When I offered to do it, my church Voters body explained that I am the pastor, that's what I do. They'll worry about the administrative stuff; I should worry about the pastor stuff.
Gotta love it!
I for one am glad you're so willing to do it, and good at it! And what a blessing to be in a congregation where we all want a shepherd and you want to shepherd us! ;)
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