Pastoral Presence: Then and Now
Recently, as I was scrolling through some photos, I noticed one of a parish priest standing on the church steps, welcoming members as they arrived. It reminded me of “days gone by.”
This practice was at one time essential to the focus of ministry, preaching and pastoral care.
Not all climates were conducive to this pastoral action.
Perhaps, some of us at St. John’s will remember my standing outside to welcome parishioners back to church following the COVID restrictions—black-toqued and clerical-cloaked!
In days past, the minister not only had responsibility for preaching and pastoral care. Often the position included clerical duties, program planning, community participation—and maybe even furnace-stoking and snow-shoveling (even on Vancouver Island).
Today, even with all our modern conveniences, smaller parishes continue to require a wide variety of duties filled. During COVID it was often the clergy’s responsibility alone to record services, print bulletins, and manage the many electronic communications—all in addition to preaching and pastoral education!
It seems ‘real’ ministry has not changed in the last 50 years!
The critical components of pastoral presence and preaching remain!
Pastoral presence for the clergy (deacon, priest, bishop) is much more than visiting the sick and making home visits!
Today’s work climate for pastoral presence demands more. Coffee hours, parish social functions, and other community public events are all essential (I believe) components of today’s ministry of presence in every parish.
I give thanks for the great mentors I have enjoyed in my years in ministry.
They started when I was a teenager, leading worship in the local church with our youth group. The leadership at St. Alban’s Cathedral during my curacy, our seminary leadership, various ordained and lay confidants over the years.
The basics of pastoral education is not learned in books but in the old-fashioned way—imitation.
The practice of vocation in ministry continues to change and evolve, but the two basics remain: preaching and pastoral presence.
This is the historical work of the church – we need to show up for those who show up.
Blessings,
Archdeacon Brian+
