What does it mean to pastor your people?

Ken Gosnell Nov. 30, 2022

my saved content

VIEW AS
A PDF

iStock

There are many topics and issues taught in seminary after you accept the call to be a pastor. These topics range from homiletics (the art of preparing and delivering a sermon) to counseling and even pastoral ethics. But many pastors struggle most with knowing how to care for the people in their congregation. The following is just a tiny sample of how to start caring for the people in your church.

The PASTOR acronym gives us a how-to for encouraging pastoral care in any church.

P - Put people before tasks.

People should always come first, but in the age of professional ministry, they often come last. Many church and ministry leaders see themselves as executives rather than pastors. It is wise for a leader focused on ministry and kingdom impact to think strategically about putting people first. A leader can put people first through personal emails, putting themselves out with others after worship services, and going into the homes of those that are a part of their organization.

A - Accept the faults and failures of others.

A leader must lead in forgiveness. They should forgive people when they hurt them. Wounds in the church seem to live on forever, and many people can experience church hurt. As the leader, you must forgive others people's faults and failures so that it does not impact your ministry and the Kingdom. Ask God to reveal to your heart people who has wounded you but whom you have never forgiven.

S - Schedule time to renew.

Pastor, you cannot give to others what you have not received. One of the most important things you can do as a pastor is to get away and connect with God. When the leader does not have a good relationship with God, they will be no good to others or the church.

T - Tell people about the real struggles you face.

A leader's authenticity is often their best asset. Be open with people about your life and your weaknesses. People want to follow someone who is honest and authentic. Share stories of success and, more importantly, share your life failures.

O - Open your heart and listen to people's stories.

Everyone has a spiritual story. Some stories are an amazing transformation of moving from dark to light. Others stories are long journeys with many twists and turns. The key to pastoral care is to listen to people and their stories. Jesus was a master listener. He would ask questions and listen to how people responded to know them so that he could lead them.

R - Remember significant events in people's lives.

One example of how this has played out in my ministry is by sending a card or a note a year after something significant has happened in the lives of the people I lead. This has especially been profound as it relates to the death of a loved one. People will realize that you care if you are still thinking about their life event a year or two after it occurs. This can be remembered by simply putting it on your calendar as a yearly reminder. This event was significant to them, and it should be significant to you as their pastor.

A pastor is many things to many different people. However, to pastor the flock you oversee, you must learn the "how to" of pastoral care by being a pastor.

my saved content

VIEW AS
A PDF

Ken Gosnell is CEO and Servant Leader of CXP (CEO Experience). CXP is a premier coaching and executive roundtable business that serves Christian CEOs in Washington DC, Maryland and Florida. Ken serves leaders by helping them and their teams to have great experiences that both transform the leader and their organizations to go further faster. Learn More »

• A multicultural church avoids intracultural leadership (by Bob Whitesel)
• 5 church communication resolutions (by Mark MacDonald)
• Eight unforced errors churches make (by Thom Rainer)
• Do you speak ‘guest’? Learning to speak community lingo (by Mark MacDonald)

Free eBook

Success Unlocked: The Transformative Power of Questions

This isn’t just another leadership book—it’s your invitation to discover how Christ-centered questions can transform the way you lead and live. Packed with real stories and timeless wisdom, it shows you how to grow your influence, deepen your faith, and lead with the same life-changing impact Jesus did.

Download Now