How often are we told ‘Nobody’s been to see me.’ Only to find that several members of the Church community have not only ‘visited’ but offered help in very practical ways, chores taken care of, shopping done, making sure the person in need is feeling part of the community though ‘laid aside.’ The problem is that for many they have not been ‘cared’ for because the Vicar/Pastor (Senior or otherwise)/Minister/Rector has not been to see them. For many in Churches there is a long way to go to embrace the idea of ‘body ministry’.
For too long, we have allowed a ‘professionalisation’ of pastoral ministry. To so many church members, caring for the Church Family belongs to those with the label and (perhaps more importantly, for us,) the pay packet.
Why has this happened? I’m sure church historians would have a comprehensive answer linked to the development of hierarchy and organisational structure. I think it goes further than that, to the heart of what we believe the Church to be.
We have become earth bound in thinking about what Church is. In the same way that we have developed our thinking about evangelism I believe that we need to radically return to Biblical principles when it comes to caring for the ‘flock’. After all, we are encouraged to: ‘Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.’ (Eph 5:19) and ‘Carry each other’s burdens and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ….Let us not become weary in doing good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.’ (Gal 6: 2, 9-10). I do not see the words ‘let the Church Leaders and those on our payroll ‘do good to all people’’.
As Churches grow, there is a wealth of experience, training and expertise that is wasted, not by leadership teams, but by members of churches themselves, as people insist on seeking advice from the ‘ministry professionals’ in church.
I don’t think I would be comfortable having the Chief Executive of my local NHS Trust take my x-rays, however well paid and in charge he or she is, I do not think that I could trust them to do as good a job as the radiographer. This is because regardless of pay grade, or status, an aptitude and gifting in radiography is preferable in this situation, no matter how flattering it may be to have the Chief give up his time to see little old me – he would not be the right person for the job. Rightly, his focus and gifting may lie elsewhere, so I need someone who is there; the right person, at the right time.
God doesn’t make mistakes, he places us in Church families and provides us with one another, not because we are a random collective of misfits who have no connection to one another, but because he chooses to work in partnership with people who are willing to place their gifts and lives at his disposal. When we do that, differences fade into the background and we discover a wealth of talents and gifts, which, when committed to God’s Will for our Church Family can be woven together in relationship first with God and then with one another, to create a movement of purpose and vision.
The problem being, a lot of churches and therefore, members of churches, have grown used to Church being something that is ‘done’ to them rather than something that is an essential part of their ‘being’. Our necessary organisational structures often bypass the relational aspect of being ‘Church’.
Christianity unlike many other religions is primarily about relationship. God first loved us and initiated relationship with us through Jesus. Jesus’ ministry on earth was carried out, not in isolation, but in relationship with a bunch of men and women with vastly diverse backgrounds and experience. Through the Holy Spirit, Pentecost extended the offer of relationship with God to the whole world. We are told that the newborn Church was radically different from the religious structures many of the new believers were familiar with: ‘They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer….All the believers were together and had everything in common….they broke bread together in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts….’ (Acts 2: 42-47) There was leadership; the apostles, but the emphasis is on the equality of the family of believers when it comes to sharing and encouraging one another. The primary function of the Church community is to bring glory to God as we learn from God’s Word, build one another up and to practically care for one another.
As Church we have a responsibility to make Christ known to the world, but equally we have a responsibility to make Christ’s love known to one another. I have a few thoughts about how we might go about this:
1) Caring for one another should be as natural as caring for any of our loved ones. It is a vital part of growing in relationship with one another. Therefore most pastoral care should be happening as naturally as caring in a loving relationship.
2) Identify those who have a gift of encouragement and coming alongside people.
3) Be clear that the responsibility for pastoring the Church lies with everyone. I can reach the people that other parts of the Church cannot reach and vice versa.
4) Allow pastoral work to be something that grows out of genuine relationship with one another. I am more likely to be receptive of care from someone with whom I already have developed a relationship of trust.
5) If we have a need of ‘professional’ pastoral care and advice, consider building on the relationships and friendships already established. However, efficient and proficient a ministry team may be in attending to the pastoral needs of a Church, they are unlikely to be able to sustain the ongoing care of congregations that are larger. One pastor would have a hard time sustaining the workload with 50 people if he were the only one seeking to manage ongoing needs, let alone those who are leading growing churches.
6) Consider what skills, talents and leading already exist among the church members. Are some not being fully used because of a perception of what pastoral work could/should be?
7) Keep repeating the message that we each have responsibility to care for one another, over and over – after all, we are trying to undo over 300 years of ecclesiastical structure and congregational expectations!
No comments:
Post a Comment