How Ordained Ministers Care for the Church
What Exactly Is Pastoral Care?
The term shepherd is used in the Bible to refer to someone involved in pastoral ministry. Pastoral ministry providesfor people what shepherds provide for
sheep. This ministry’s sole role is to care for, guide, instruct, discipline, and help the sheep (God’s people) to grow spiritually into mature Christian people who emulate Christlikeness.
To be effective in any aspect of pastoral ministry, the following must be in place and maintained in the Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ’s life before effective care can be given or received by the congregants:
The pastor must be called of God to the pastorate.
The pastor must be equipped by God.
The pastor must be anointed by God.
The pastor must know and live the will of God.
The pastor must have a clear capacity to lead people into the will of God.
The pastor must love people and enjoy assisting them to grow and mature into Christlikeness.
The range of pastoral care:
Pastoral care does not fall into any stereotype. And, based on the congregational size, pastors may serve different functions. Some Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ are assigned to particular duties though they should still have a propensity to care for the entire needs of the sheepfold.
Pastoral function, however, ranges from:
Caring for the flock through spiritual feeding.
Caring for the flock through listening and understanding.
Caring for the flock through confrontation and correction.
Caring for the flock through motivation and encouragement.
Caring for the flock by pointing them into the will of God for their lives, individually and collectively.
Ruth’s missionary father had insisted that his twenty-two-year-old daughter come to see me. Ruth, a college student, was suffering from depression. She had no appetite and had trouble sleeping and studying. Her father accompanied her to the appointment. “What’s the problem?” I asked Ruth, after we had chatted for a few minutes. But it was her father who responded. “Well, it’s pretty obvious,” he said, folding his arms across his chest. “She’s not living like she should.” “What do you mean?” I asked.
“She’s doing drugs and sleeping around,” he said with disgust. “Plus, she’s flunking out of college, and she has no idea what she wants to do with her life.” Before I could ask another question, he continued, “If she read her Bible and went to church, she wouldn’t be so depressed. But all she wants to do is hang around those reprobate friends of hers.” “What would happen if she began to do all of the things you think she should?” I asked. “Well, then she would be happy like her mother and I, and the Lord would bless her.”
I could see that I was not going to get very far with Ruth’s father, so I thanked him for his information and asked if I could talk with Ruth alone. When her father had left, Ruth was still hesitant to talk. She refused to answer any of my questions with more than a “yes” or “no.” Finally I said, “Ruth, I think if I had to live with your father, I’d take drugs too. Does his attitude have anything to do with your discouragement?” Ruth nodded. Her eyes filled with tears.
“You are an adult and this is an adults’ hospital,” I said. “I don’t see that you are in any danger to yourself or anyone else, so you are free to go. But before you leave, let me tell you what I think is going on.”
Assuming you’re the chaplain Ruth and her father came to see, what would you say to her?
The Treatment of the Whole Person
Apply The Bible To Solve People’s Problems.
A need-to-know Christ (Rom. 1:16).
During the course of counseling after a relationship has been built, ask the counselee about his/her religious background.
Share the gospel.
Write out verses on salvation (Rom. 3:23, 6:23; John 1:12).
Keep the gospel presentation very simple.
Give the counselee an opportunity to believe in Christ. Don’t force or pressure; gently lead and explain.
A need to grow in Christ (1 Pet. 2:2).
Have a Bible study series with the counselee on the needed discipleship topic. The Bible study should focus on the basics of the Christian life (God’s Word, prayer, Christian fellowship, and the role of the Holy Spirit). Help the counselee form a solid foundation in each of these areas and thus a balanced healthy and mature Christian life.
Have the counselee memorize three Bible verses per week.
Help the counselee figure out a specific plan for having a daily quiet time.
Help the counselee become involved in a local church. For further support, help the counselee become involved with a smaller group within the church (a cell/life group).
Assess the need to deal with a specific sin (2 Thess. 3:5).
Listen to the counselee and build a relationship.
Confront the counselee about his/her sin.
Ask for a one-week commitment until the next appointment to avoid the sin.
Give the counselee a short Bible study (approximately one page) on the problem area to complete prior to the next appointment. Make the focus of the Bible study on personal application.
Ask the counselee to memorize three Bible verses per week that address their problem.
For support and strength to overcome the temptation, help the counselee become involved with fellow Christians in a church, small group, or a Christian support group.
Ask the counselee to have a daily time with God.
Demonic influences (demon possession or demon oppression).
Share the concept found in Ephesians 6.
Point out that Satan is aware of the particular temptations and weaknesses one is prone to demonstrate.
Help the counselee get set free from being demonized.
3.0 Psychological Problems.
Psychophysiologic problems (ulcer, colitis, high blood pressure, etc.)
Counsel with the counselee concerning the spiritual and psychological aspects of his/her problem.
Refer to the local medical doctor for treatment of the physical aspect of the problem.
If needed, work with another professional concerning the psychological aspect.
Personality trait or personality disorder.
Discern the personality traits and vary your counseling approach accordingly. For example, do not approach an individual with hysterical traits the same as one with depression traits.
Listen with empathy as counselee tells of his/her present problem, past history, and feelings.
Explain to the counselee the strengths and potential weaknesses of his/her personality. Help him/her gain insight.
Help the counselee to formulate a specific plan of action to deal with his/her problem.
If needed, work with another professional who has training in psychology or psychiatry.
Depression, anxiety, and other major psychiatric disorders.
Discern the type of disorder and approach accordingly.
Listen with empathy as counselee tells of his/her present problems, past history, and feelings.
Explain to the counselee what they are doing and what is happening to them. Help them gain insight.
Help the counselee formulate a specific plan of action to deal with their problem.
If needed, work with another professional who has training in psychology or psychiatry. This may be needed when a threat of suicide or homicide exists. It will also be necessary when the counselor realizes the problem is beyond his/her ability to handle. If medication is needed, refer to
a psychiatrist. If psychological tests are needed, refer to a psychologist. Thereafter, determine which professional is best suited to provide the needed therapy.
Psychosis (a loss of contact with reality)
Work with another professional (local medical doctor, psychiatrist, or psychologist).
Since the brain chemistry is usually altered in psychosis, medication is needed. Thus, the referral should be made to a psychiatrist.
Physical problems.
of course, physical problems will need to be referred to the local medical doctor or psychiatrist; but since spiritual and psychological factors may also
be present, the counselor may wish to work with the doctor. The Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ should be especially alerted to the following physical problems that are often confused with psychological or spiritual problems.
Hyperkinetic (hyperactive) child
High or low blood-sugar levels
Thyroid problems
Organic brain syndrome of old age (senile dementia and Alzheimer’s disease)
Biochemical depression
“PUT ON — PUT OFF”1
“. . . Lay aside every weight, and . . . sin” (Heb. 12:1-2).
“PUT OFF” SCRIPTURAL INSIGHT “PUT ON”
Lack of love 1 John 4:7-8, 20; John 15:12 Love
Judging Matt. 7:1-2; John 8:9; 15:22 Self-examination
Bitterness Heb. 12:15; Col. 3:12 Tenderhearted
Unforgiving spirit
Mark 11:26; Matt. 6:14 Forgiving spirit
Pride Prov. 16:18; James 4:6 Humility
Selfishness Phil. 2:21; John 12:24 Death of self
Boasting (conceit)
1 Cor. 4:7; Prov. 27:2 Humility
Stubbornness 1 Sam. 15:23; Rom. 6:13 Submission
Lack of submission and/or disrespect
2 Tim. 3:6; Matt. 6:10 Broken will
Rebellion 1 Sam. 15:23; Joel 2:12-13 Submitting–
Jesus, Lord
Disobedience 1 Sam. 12:15; Heb. 5:9 Obedience
Ungratefulness Rom. 1:21; Eph. 5:20 Thankfulness
Impatience James 1:2-4; Luke 21:19 Patience
Discontent Phil. 4:11-13; Heb. 13:5 Satisfaction
Covetousness Exod. 20:17; Col. 3:5 Yielding rights
Murmuring Prov. 19:3; 1 Cor. 10:10 Gratefulness
Complaining Jude 15-16; Heb. 13:5 Contentment
“PUT ON — PUT OFF”
“. . . Lay aside every weight, and . . . sin” (Heb. 12:1-2).
“PUT OFF” SCRIPTURAL INSIGHT “PUT ON”
Sassing John 6:43; Eph. 5:21 Respect for
authority
Irritation to others
Prov. 25:8; Phil. 2:3-4 Preferring in love
Jealousy Prov. 27:4; 1 Cor. 13:4 Trust, preferring
others
Strife James 3:16; Luke 6:31 Esteem of others
Losing
temper
Prov. 16:32; Rom. 5:3-4 Self-control
Bodily harm Prov. 16:29; 1 Thess. 2:7 Gentleness
Anger Prov. 14:17; Gal. 5:24-25 Self-control
Wrath James 1:19-20; Gal. 5:24-25 Self-control
Hatred Matt. 5:21-22; 1 Cor. 13:3 Love or kindness
27. Murder Exod. 20:13; Rom. 13:10 Love
Gossip 1 Tim. 5:13; Rom. 14:19 Speaking with
praise
Lying Eph. 4:25; Zech. 8:16 Speaking truth
Bad language Eph. 4:29; 1 Tim. 4:12 Edification
Profanity Psalm 109:17; 1 Tim. 4:12 Edification
Idle words Matt. 12:36; Prov. 21:23 Bridle the tongue
Evil thoughts Prov. 23:7a; Phil. 4:8 “Think on these
things”
Bad motives 1 Sam. 16:7; Psalm 19:14 Meditation on God
“PUT ON — PUT OFF”
“. . . Lay aside every weight, and . . . sin” (Heb. 12:1-2).
“PUT OFF” SCRIPTURAL INSIGHT “PUT ON”
Complacency James 4:17; Col. 3:23 Diligence
Hypocrisy Job 8:13; Eph. 4:25 Honesty
Other gods Deut. 11:16; Eph. 4:6 Jesus first place
Lost first love Rev. 2:4; 1 John 4:10, 19 Meditate on Christ
Lack of
rejoicing
Phil. 4:4; 1 Thess. 5:16 Rejoicing always
Worry (fear) Matt. 6:25-32; 1 Pet. 5:7 Trust
Doubt
(unbelief)
1 Thess. 5:24; Heb. 11:1 Faith