Pastoral Care and Writing
By Robert (Bob) W. Jones

I’m a devoted believer in the power of “AND.”

A myriad of ministry choices face me every week as a pastor. Pray? Prepare? Visit? Read? Write? Support? Call? Attend?

For me, one of my choices is never, “Pastoral care OR writing?” For me its pastoral care AND writing or even better still, pastoral care through writing.

Pastors are crazy busy people serving people. Contrary to popular thinking there is nothing wrong with being busy. Jesus was busy.

Oh, yes He was.

When John concludes his Gospel he reminds readers that if all the works of Jesus were recorded for posterity that “even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” Hyperbole? I don’t think so. Jesus was very busy in his 3½ years of ministry.

Jesus was ever busy but never in a hurry. He made time for people, especially those in need. Writing is an effective way of making time for people.

John was a writer AND a pastor.
Peter was a writer AND a pastor.
Paul was a writer AND an evangelist/pastor.
James was a writer AND a pastor.

We know they wrote, but we tend to forget that they were also ministers. They made time for people and for paper.

Pastor, you can make time to care and write and you can care through your writing.

You can make good use of writing in the following ways:

1. Publishing pastoral counsel for life’s problems.

I’ve posted about people facing depression, anxiety and suicide. Our church family knows through my writing that those facing mental illness can find help in our congregation. We believe in miracles and healing. Miracles are instantaneous. Healing can be a process. Mental illness can become wellness through Jesus Christ.

What Christians Tend To Get Wrong About Depression
16 Helpful Insights About Depression And Loss: Rick and Kaye Warren
Reaching Out And Saving Lives: Preventing Suicide

2. Sharing illustrative and inspiring stories.

Everybody’s got a story. Up until October 2014 most of the content of my posts were teaching points illustrated by people’s experiences. I decided to try a change of style and featured full-on stories and testimonies. People ate them up. Now, most of my posts are story-oriented.

Didactic material is plenteous on the Internet. Stories are precious because they are “one of’s.”

Pastor, share the stories of your people.

Fearless in the Face of Leukemia: Katelyn Murray
No One Left Behind: Angela Hawrylak
3 Life Lessons From Kristen Fersovitch

3. Rallying prayer and care support for those in need.

My writing has aided people in raising money for their charitable causes and enlisted intercession for critical needs. Writing can be a call to action. The pen is mightier than the sword.

The Lemonade Stand Millionaires
How A Severe Anxiety Disorder Led Me To A World Race: Maya Kuipers
Making a Better World: One Classroom at a Time

When you embrace the power of the AND, care and share will take on a whole new world of meaning.

About this Contributor:

Robert (Bob) W. Jones is a recovering perfectionist, who collects Coca-Cola memorabilia and drinks Iced Tea. His office walls are adorned with his sons’ framed football jerseys, and his library shelves, with soul food. He writes to inspire people to be real, grow an authentic faith in Jesus, enjoy healthy relationships and discover their life purpose.
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