Pastoral Care Visitation A Workshop for Session Members

Pastoral Care & Visitation A Workshop for Session Members Prepared by: Roger Janes, Program & Leadership Staff, NL Conference

Whose Job is it to Visit? �The Minister? �The Session member? � “It shall be the duty of the Elder to care for the poor and visit the sick. ” � In many charges, a session member has a “ward” or area in which they oversee and provide care to members and adherents. Prepared by: Roger Janes, Program & Leadership Staff, NL Conference

What is Pastoral Care? �Think of a time in your life when you experienced care. What did it look like? �Pastoral Care: “Is the communication of the love and presence of God through loving persons. ” �How can people communicate God’s love and presence in their daily lives: � Sitting with those who are dying, in pain, or grieving � Answering the call of a child in the middle of the night � Game of peek a boo Prepared by: Roger Janes, Program & Leadership Staff, NL Conference

A Pastoral Visit is different! �Handout “Difference between a Social and Pastoral Visit. ” Prepared by: Roger Janes, Program & Leadership Staff, NL Conference

What are your Questions and Concerns? Prepared by: Roger Janes, Program & Leadership Staff, NL Conference

Who should I visit? �The Session can discuss and discern who should get a visit, and who gets priority. � Those who are shut in, sick, in crisis? � Those who request a visit? � Everyone in my area/ward? Prepared by: Roger Janes, Program & Leadership Staff, NL Conference

How do I initiate a visit? �Depends on the community norm �Many people today would like notice (a call? ) Prepared by: Roger Janes, Program & Leadership Staff, NL Conference

How do I communicate my purpose? �You want to be clear to the person(s) that you are making a pastoral visit �Helpful to have a length of visit in mind – and tell that person �Role Play Prepared by: Roger Janes, Program & Leadership Staff, NL Conference

How long should a pastoral visit be? �Depends on personal style �Helpful for you to have a time in mind �Helpful to communicate anticipated time to person being visited �An hour is a goal for many �How do I respond to hospitality? Prepared by: Roger Janes, Program & Leadership Staff, NL Conference

How do I actually “do” a pastoral visit? �Focus on the person(s) you are visiting �Be attentive to people’s words, tone and body language � Words: 7% of message � Tone: 38% of message � Body Language: 55% of message �Silence �Questions �The Place of Prayer �Dealing with Negative Prepared by: Roger Janes, Comments Program & Leadership Staff, NL Conference

Tips for Pastoral Visits �Make your first call an easy one – someone active? �Pray before you go on the visit �State your reason for visiting �Key is to focus on them and their agenda �Use Active listening �Be careful of asking too many questions �Try to identify what the person is feeling at this time �Don’t let your story get hooked Prepared by: Roger Janes, Program & Leadership Staff, NL Conference

Case Studies Prepared by: Roger Janes, Program & Leadership Staff, NL Conference

Resources �Listening and Caring Skills, by John Savage �The Ministry of Listening, by Donald Peel �A Grief Observed, by C. S. Lewis �Prayer, by Phillip Yancey Prepared by: Roger Janes, Program & Leadership Staff, NL Conference