Pastoral Care

6. What does it involve?

Although often associated with supporting people in times of difficulty, it isn’t just about problem-solving or helping people in a crisis. If we think of shepherds, certainly they will seek help for those of the flock who are sick or in danger, but the shepherd’s first aim is to enable all of their flock to develop as fully, safely, and as healthily as possible. Similarly, in the church, pastoral care involves encouraging discipleship in its fullest sense, which often means sharing joys as well as sorrows.

This may involve visiting people in their homes, or if they are in hospital or in a care home.  It can involve a timely phone call or message of encouragement or care.  It will involve prayer, offered sensitively and appropriately.  It will require you to be able to keep the details of conversations confidential (except in matters where safeguarding is a concern).  It may involve being there for people at times of crisis, sickness and grief.  If we have established good pastoral relationships with those for whom we are caring supporting people through times of challenge can become second nature and is seen part of the holistic nature of pastoral care that the church offers.

In any Christian community, there is a mutual responsibility to exercise pastoral care for each other.  In fact we often find ourselves doing it without even realising it.  But this doesn't mean that we don't need to be intentional about ensuring that it happens.