PASTORS IN PASTORAL CARE IS A H.E.L.P.S. MINISTRY In 2 Corinthians 1:24, the apostle Paul says to the Corinthian believers, "We're not in charge of how you live out the faith, looking over your shoulders, suspiciously critical. We're partners working alongside you, joyfully expectant. I know that you stand by your own faith, not by ours." (The Message) The American Standard Version reads, "But are workers with you for your joy." The King James Version uses the word "helpers" in this verse. Partners in Pastoral Care can be most easily described as a "pastoral care" ministry. In biblical times, the shepherd brought guidance (direction", protection (safety) and personal support (care) to the flock. Being pastoral involves more than merely disseminating information through teaching and preaching-it is "walking with, holding up, carrying, if need be; going into the pit, if necessary." Being pastoral is not necessarily about leading or being led. Perhaps one of the most famous meaningful pictures of a shepherd is the one where we see the shepherd carrying a sheep on his shoulders. The shepherd has gone into a thorny thicket to rescue a lamb in trouble and emerges with it wrapped around his neck. The shepherd's clothes are torn and his legs are bloody from the cuts of the thorns, but the lam is safe…and we see the hint of a smile on the face of the shepherd. In addition to being "pastoral" we are also a "care" ministry. Dr. Alan Wolfert, the Director of the Center for Loss and Life Transition, described a care ministry as one of "companioning." When broken down to its Latin roots, the word companion comes from two words: com (meaning "with") and pan (meaning "bread"). So, to put it in the vernacular, "companioning" means "someone I share a meal with," a friend, an equal. Based on this, we believe that care is about honoring (giving dignity) to those I walk with. Care is about letting the "cared for" teach me about who they are. Care is not about my expertise but about their need. Care has nothing to do with my fixing a problem but everything to do with my being still and listening…and waiting on God! Care is from my heart (personal experience) and not from my head. Care is being present with another who is in pain. Partners in Pastoral Care is a "helps" ministry. In 1 Corinthians 12:28, the apostle Paul refers to the placement of gifts in the church and speaks of "helps." The original word used here is antilepsis, meaning a support, an aid. The apostle also uses the Greek word sinergos for helper or companion in labor in Romans 16:3 and 1 Corinthians 3:9. Those who work in Partners in Pastoral Care link up with: WHOEVER - cradle to the grave. HOWEVER - through seminars, workshops, filling pulpits, and counseling. WHENEVER AND WHEREVER - in all kinds of settings, giving pastoral, companioning care using the gifts God has bestowed upon us, especially the gift of HELPS. H-Healing/Health E-Education/Encouragement L-Love/Leadership P-Potential/Preparation S-Servanthood/Support