Pastoral Care
This part of the course explores the role of elders and the Elders' meeting in ensuring pastoral care takes place within the congregation and looks at ways in which this can be effective
5. Doing pastoral care
Having said everything about why pastoral care is important, when asked about pastoral care, those new to eldership, as well as many long-standing elders, often say that they feel inadequate when it comes to offering pastoral care to others.
Yes, we may find it challenging, but we are equipped to offer pastoral care through the grace of God working in and through us. It is through our interaction with others that people know they are valued and respected and that they belong.
In fact, being able to offer pastoral care to others is a unique privilege, one that many elders feel passionately about. As an elder involved in the pastoral care of the congregation, we are given the opportunity to form, strengthen and deepen relationships and to encourage a sense of belonging to the church, and to Christ.
What do other elders in your church think about their role in offering pastoral care? Does some of what is said here ring true for them? Why not ask some of your colleagues in the Elders' meeting what they think as a way to open up this conversation.