pastoral care
The God of small things
Helen Thorne-Allenson
Date posted: 1 Dec 2023
There are days when the to-do list does not feel very exciting. Weeks when the things calling for our attention feel deeply mundane.
That pile of emails, that piece of bureaucracy, that message that needs passing on – hardly cutting-edge ministry, just stuff that needs to be done. Many of us would prefer to spend our time on things that feel more strategic, more impactful – after all, what eternal fruit comes from signing some cards, chatting about refreshments or filling in a form? But take a closer look at God’s word and we see the little things of life can be filled with meaning and value; they are the context in which much can be transformed.
pastoral care
Ministry’s dark feelings
Helen Thorne-Allenson
Date posted: 1 Jun 2022
Ministry is a privilege. It’s a hugely high
call. And whether we’re full time and paid,
or volunteering a few hours within the local
church, we can all know we have a part to
play in the greatest mission the world has
ever known.
It’s wonderful
to help people come
to
Christ and grow in their faith, in all the
circumstances of life. The process of pointing
people to Jesus can be a joy. The relational
depth, a delight. When we glimpse the fruit
God is bringing into people’s lives, we can be
stirred to praise. But, just between you and
me, that’s not how we always feel, is it?
pastoral care
Letting down others?
Helen Thorne-Allenson
Date posted: 1 Feb 2022
Do you ever feel as if you are letting everyone down? The inbox is out of control. The people you’ve been meaning to phone still haven’t heard from you. The to-do list is spiralling. And, even when you do meet with someone, you’re conscious they’re not getting your best (It’s not just you! Ed.).
At times like this we know that life isn’t sustainable, but we also desperately want to deliver what we (or others) think we should. So, distracted, demoralised and demotivated, we try to plod on, hoping that – one day, if we try hard enough – we’ll manage to catch up. If that doesn’t work, we can always run away, we remind ourselves – subconsciously at least, that’s often our Plan B.
pastoral care
The newly vulnerable
Helen Thorne-Allenson
Date posted: 1 Aug 2020
We’ve mastered a lot of ‘new’ in recent months. Whether that’s new ways of providing services, new ways of engaging in mission, or making the most of new opportunities to train furloughed workers for gospel service, it’s been a steep learning curve for many in the local church.
Quite a few of us might be hoping that there’s not too much more ‘new’ ahead. A return to something more familiar is the longing in many a heart. But let me pose four pastorally-orientated questions and suggest there might still need to be a little more ‘new’.