“How would you answer an Executive Pastor who is questioning the need for ‘instant’ pastoral leadership through skype/chat/facebook vs. only using email?”
Definitely an interesting question that popped into my inbox today. It made me think about The Church & Social Networking.
What caught me off gaurd was the notion that some pastors view care or leadership as a responsive action, not a ministry opportunity. Leadership itself connotes that one is out front, anticipating, LEADING toward change and life transformation. God help me if I ever sit at my computer and WAIT for a crisis before providing pastoral leadership or care to the people I serve.
Of course I’m on facebook, skype, myspace, twitter, & linkedin. Why? Because that’s where people are. And because I’m there, I know what’s going on in their lives. I’m actually interested in them. I pray for them because it’s the very best help I can offer.
Not only do I know what’s going on in their lives, but they know what’s going on in mine. I’m real. I have a wife and three kids, I struggle with things, I get sick occasionally, once in a while I get a little annoyed, and now and again I can actually be funny! Yep, a pastor by name, a human being by nature, and a sinner saved by grace.
Here’s a few simple principles of Pastoral Care or Leadership that I focus on:
1. Love people first, whether they deserve it or not
2. Go where they are, don’t expect them to come to you
3. Offer to pray for them BEFORE they ask for you to
Take the principles and apply them… where ever the people are.
… and please, don’t wait for the world to reach out to you.
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Amen.