"I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me."
(Matthew 25:35-36)
Pastoral care is the activity which flows from the attitude and commitment to love one another because we ourselves, are first loved by God. It is ultimately concerned with developing quality relationships and enabling one another to recognise, follow and become more like Jesus.
It might involve: sustaining others through prolonged difficulty or immediate need, enabling the journey of healing and wholeness, considering the process of reconciliation with God, self and others, offering guidance about other resources and enabling different perspectives.
It might take the form of: listening, encouraging, visiting, hospitality, advocacy, mentoring, befriending, celebrating, practically helping, prayer, comforting, enabling.
It might happen: formally in planned and organised ways or informally through everyday spontaneous moments and might be offered by an individual, by small groups, or through a particular ministry.
