An Enhanced Traditional
Model of Pastoral Care
This model is particularly suited to smaller and more rural congregations. For
some of these congregations the district system is not only preferred but still
actually works. Bearing in mind that even smaller rural congregations are not
immune to changing social and family dynamics in the early 21st century
the following suggestions may enhance the traditional model of providing
pastoral care.
1. The district model needs to be led, closely monitored and encouraged
by the Teaching Elder and/or another Elder(s).
2. Each Elder’s district must be of manageable size so that the Elder can
give sufficient time to each family.
3. Regular training should be in place for all Elders regarding what pastoral
care is and what it is not, what it means to be a pastoral carer and how to
provide pastoral care.
4. Cross-district fluidity. Some Elders could be trained in a particular aspect
of pastoral care and if allocated a smaller district than other Elders could
respond to pastoral issues they are particularly equipped to deal with in
any district, for example divorce care, bereavement, single parent families
or suicide.
5. Responsibility for a people group. It may be appropriate to relieve an
Elder entirely of a geographical district and instead allocate responsibility
for a grouping of people such as new families who associate themselves
with the congregation, elderly in Nursing Homes, students or
immigrants.
6. As the Teaching Elder will probably be the first point of contact when
a member or adherent of the congregation is admitted to hospital, or
has some other pastoral need, he or she should seek to pass appropriate
details on to the respective district Elder to follow up.
7. Though visitation in homes remains an important element of pastoral
care, visits or other arranged contact, at a mutually convenient time
and venue, could be much more beneficial than calling at a home
without prior notice. For example, an Elder could organize a venue and
invite families from his/her district to come to ‘visit’ him/her. This could
be repeated if it was impractical to involve all the families from the
district on one occasion. A barbecue during the summer months or a
buffet dinner at any time of year would give opportunity for friendship,
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fellowship and the building of relationships that are essential to pastoral
care. Other possibilities include going for a walk together, meeting for
coffee or lunch, visiting someone in their workplace and so on.
8. The Elder of a smaller district should be intentional about approaching
and chatting to folk from his or her district at public worship or other
church gatherings. A simple ‘How are things?’ not only demonstrates
interest in the person but also gives opportunity for the person to raise
issues that may require pastoral care. In light of this, a particularly
effective time for initiating pastoral care is during a time of tea and coffee
before or after a Sunday service.
9. When it has become clear that elders through age, health reasons or
other reasons cannot carry out pastoral care, the Kirk Session should
consider if pastoral care can be provided in another way or elect new
Elders.