What do Pastoral Assistants do?
The Church/Parish councils concentrate (mostly) on administrative aspects. In contrast, the Pastoral Assistants are responsible for the pastoral aspects of congregational life and provide support for Pastor and his family.
Pastoral assistant don't 'do' all these things themselves. Their role is to ensure that the functions under their care happen across the parish. A primary role of a Pastoral Assistant is to encourage all members to examine/discover their gifts and to offer them in service to the Lord.
- they support the pastor in the maintenance of Christian discipline and good order in the Congregation and to mediate when differences or conflicts occur;
- they concern themselves with the doctrinal and spiritual life of the Congregation and its members;
- they pray for, encourage, and be concerned about the spiritual, emotional and physical health and welfare of the pastor and the pastor’s family;
- they encourage all members of the Congregation in the fulfilment of their Christian vocation;
- they notify the pastor of those needing pastoral care, particularly the sick, spiritually distressed and at risk;
- they assist the pastor in arranging for pulpit assistance, special services and guest speakers, including the appointment of lay readers, and in general be concerned that an attitude conducive to worship is maintained in the services; Ringwood - assist the pastor in arranging the distribution of communion
- they coordinate regular reviews of the pastor’s ministry as specified in the documents of call;
- they shall assist the Pastor with the distribution of communion, in arranging for pulpit assistance, special services and guest speakers, and in general, be concerned that an attitude conducive to worship is maintained in the services.
- to encourage members to care for one another
- The Strategies of the Pastoral Assistant shall be:
- to meet regularly with the Pastor and discuss the needs of the congregation
- to encourage members to attend worship regularly