A New Slant on Caring

Mission-minded, outward-focused congregations and parishes are sometimes tempted to see pastoral care as an obstacle, an impediment to carrying out the Great Commission of having people meet Jesus. Caring for those with deep emotional and spiritual needs (e.g., those who are grieving, divorced, terminally or chronically ill, in a job crisis, lonely) requires prolonged, focused, individual attention; it is time-and labor-intensive.

Slowing down to meet these needs can seem at odds with the goal of helping more people meet Jesus for the first time. But what if, instead of being considered a problem, providing Christian care was seen as an opportunity? What if, instead of being a nuisance, bringing Christ’s care to those in need became an investment in mission with the potential to provide huge returns? What if, instead of seeing it as a drag on your progress, you saw it as a wind at your back?

This is Stephen Ministry. And in future articles we will be including information for St. Columbkille Parish to better understand its function and value and also how we can all, as parishioners, be actively involved with this ministry.  20050925