Pastoral Care At St. John's Today

St. John’s has a long history of providing pastoral care to its parishioners and the community. A simple definition of pastoral care is “shepherding,” “caring” and “doing the work of ministry.”

Over the centuries the understanding of pastoral care has fallen into roughly five categories:

1) In traditional denominations the emphasis was on the “offices of the church” and the work of the ordained ministry. Principles, morals and spiritual disciplines were taught. But the focus was on the sacraments as the fundamental expression of the Church’s care: confession, penance, contrition absolution, blessing, baptism, marriage, ordination, funerals,

2) In the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth centuries there was an emphasis on “the cure of souls,” which was done by personal involvement between a pastor and a parishioner. There was the giving of “sage advice” and it was “top down.” The delineation of theological principals and ethics was emphasized.

3) Along with this there developed an interest in counseling and therapeutic concerns. A strong theological understanding coupled with psychology and anthropology was seen as important and would help and support parishioners and society (“bottom up approach”).Contextual ethics and Clinical Pastoral Care embraced this view.

4) There also arose the view that pastoral care is the work of the whole church. The laity are the principal caregivers and the pastor/priest is simply a layperson with organizational responsibilities. Real pastoral care is done by a social worker or counselor.

5) Along with the above view was the openness to “spirituality” and the realization that the cure of the soul is found in the spirituality of other traditions as well as the Christian one. All five classifications bleed over into one another. There were mystics throughout the life of the Church and monks often did social work. A pious man (ordained or not) was always seen as doing the work of God. What we now call “having a lay ministry” in former times was called “being a good Christian.”

All of the above find their voice in the life of St. John’s. Because the Episcopal Church is a sacramental and worship oriented denomination the role of the priest is essential to providing the “offices of the Church.” The pastoral priest’s role is three fold: a) it is sacramental: celebrate, baptize, marry, bury, hear confession, give absolution, give blessing. b) It is evangelical: to study scriptures and to proclaim the Gospel. c) It is to guide individuals and the corporate group in their spiritual faith journeys. This is done through prayer, instruction and reflective conversation.

The pastoral role of the laity is also three fold: a) through the cultivation of a devout and holy life to set an example for others. B) To support one another through building up the life of the body of the church through the use of individual and collective gifts and talents. c) Through study and prayer to walk with others and to seek to bring them more fully into the life of the church.

There are approximately four hundred and fifty souls who look to St. John’s for pastoral care at one time or another. They are present members, former members, those for whom the liturgical offices were performed, our neighbors, friends of individuals and passers-by. Typical issues facing our client base: a) some seek a parish home, b) some are dealing with issues of faith prompted by crises, c) some are dealing with health issues, d) others are caring for relatives who have serious health problems. e) Some are children who are experiencing difficult times, and f) some are continuing on their pilgrimage of faith and need respite or attention.

These are the following routines in the parish for on-going pastoral care: 1) The parish roster is reviewed by Fr. Gage four times a year. 2) A confidential master list of pastoral care is maintained by Fr. Gage. This enables him to review the individual/family and to note when special care has been asked for and/or provided. 3) Personal notes are sent to the parishioners four times a year. 4) One or two homes are visited each week. A dinner with a parishioner is done every week, as are two lunches a week. 5) Parishioners are invited to Fr. Gage’s home throughout the year. 6) There is regular premarital counseling, marital counseling, career counseling and general counseling. Regular referral is made to assisting counselors and agencies. 7) Fr. Gage visits the hospital five days a week. 8) Eucharistic ministers take communion to shut-ins.

Indirect pastoral care is given through the liturgy and life of the parish. a) Good administration enables good communication. b) Liturgy and music lift and comfort the soul. c) Fellowship supports everyone in his or her life pilgrimage. d) Education addresses various needs and problems we all have. e) Small, intentional groups enable parishioners to care for one another and for those who are not members.

This is God’s house. Small miracles happen here every day. We are all God’s children. Therefore everyone is welcome here and should consider this their “home.” – Blessings and health.

Fr. Gage -