Categories: uncategorized
Date: 16 October 2005 05:32:19
The course finished yesterday. I can barely believe it. The ten weeks flew by.
I, unfortunately, missed the week where the class visited a nursing home, but our sub-deacon will be taking us there again. I am looking forward to it, but am slightly daunted as well. And I also need to consider how I am to minister pastorally: please remember me in your prayers as I consider this.
Looking back, the course has been a blessing in many ways. I have got to know our sub-deacon and the four other participants much better, and have been able to form deeper relationships with them. I've also enjoyed plenty of Lebanese food which was always supplied! ;-)
But I have learnt a great deal on pastoral care. First and foremost, its importance. Christ commands it in no uncertain terms. And true Christianity, with its major emphasis on relationships, the love of God and the love of neighbour, manifests itself by such caring that leads to practical love. Not a general, "I love", but a practical "I love" -- this course has shown me I've far too focused on the former.
And then there are the many issues associated with those in hospitals, in nursing homes or homebound: loneliness, frustration, illness, anger, depression, wanting to die... It's been hard to face these issues at times, and this has most often only been in a theoretical setting: though, thanks be to God, through our forming deeper relationships with one another, we've been able to share many times of hurt, times of struggle and worries of our own in our group.
As I said, I am excited by the opportunity this ministry presents for me to obey Christ and to, God willing, represent Christ to those I will visit. May God help us all. Please remember us in your prayers: our sub-deacon, M., H., G., J. and myself.