David W. Wiersbe - The Dynamics of Pastoral Care

2000 by David W. Wiersbe

Published by Baker Books
a division of Baker Publishing Group
P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
www.bakerbooks.com

Ebook edition created 2012

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ISBN 978-1-4412-1510-9

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version . NIV . Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

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This book is dedicated to some
Roscoe friends who made
pastoral ministry a joy

Pastor Dan & Marcia Hormig
Ken & Melody Ruge
Steve & Carolyn Scherrer
Gary & Dianne Wallace

The purpose of the Ministry Dynamics series is to provide both experienced and beginning pastors with concise information that will help them do the task of ministry with efficiency, fruitfulness, and joy.

The word ministry means service, something that Jesus exemplified in his own life and that he expects us to practice in our lives. No matter what our title or position, we are in the church to serve Gods people. The word dynamics is not used as an equivalent of power but as a reminder that nothing stands still in Christian ministry. If it does, it dies. True biblical ministry involves constant challenge and change, learning and growth, and how we handle these various elements determines the strength and success of the work that we do.

The emphasis in this series is on practical service founded on basic principles and not on passing fads. Some older ministers need to catch up with the present while newer ministers need to catch up on the past. We all can learn much from each other if only were honest enough to admit it and humble enough to accept each others counsel.

I began pastoring in 1950 and over the years have seen many changes take place in local church ministry, from bus ministries and house churches to growth groups and megachurches. Some of the changes have been good and are now integrated into Gods work in many churches. But some ideas that attracted national attention decades ago now exist only on the pages of forgotten books in used-book stores. How quickly todays exciting headlines become tomorrows footnotes! Test everything. Hold on to the good (1 Thess. 5:21).

An ancient anonymous prayer comes to mind:

From the cowardice that shrinks from new truth,
From the laziness that is content with half-truths,
From the arrogance that thinks it knows all truth,
O God of truth, deliver us!

Our desire is that both the seasoned servant and the new seminary graduate will find encouragement and enlightenment from the Ministry Dynamics series.

Warren W. Wiersbe

It was not my idea to write this book. But Im glad I had the opportunity to do the study and thinking required to put my understanding of pastoral care on paper.

Paul Engle deserves thanks for his wisdom in giving me direction and his patience in taking care of many details.

It was my fathers idea that I write this book, and I am glad for his faith in me and his encouragement. He is my role model, and he is a good one. I especially appreciate his ability to separate his roles as editor and father over this past year.

My dad and mom have lived their faith privately and publicly. Many pastors kids grow up to avoid the church and ministry. I serve the church because I was taught to love and trust the churchs Savior. For my rich spiritual heritage I am grateful. I also recognize that to whom much is given, much is required.

When crunch time to finish the book arrived, my wife, Sue, and son, Jon, graciously gave me time and space but still let me feel like part of the family. They continue to be my best teachers and to amaze me with the depth of their love. I owe them a debt of time together, and I pray the Lord grants it to us. There is joy in my life daily because of Gods gifts to me in my wife and son. They both read the manuscript and improved it with their suggestions.

Each of the flocks I have served has molded me as a person and pastor. While I gave my best to each congregation, those churches gave far more to me in return. They were Gods instruments to teach me the work of a spiritual shepherd, and they held me accountable to do it by Gods Word. The checkbook will never show it, but to serve as a pastor is to be rich.

This book is an attempt to express my approach to and understanding of what it means to give pastoral care. For twenty-two years I have been called pastor, and during that time I have learned the hard realities of the pastoral call. It is a demanding vocation; it is also a high and holy one. For me, the call to serve as a pastor is shaped by the truth of Scripture and the experience of the church. I am glad God called me to be a pastor in his church.

Webster defines dynamics as related to energy; energetic; marked by continuous usually productive activity. This book is about the dynamics of pastoral carethose activities in which we engage regularly to introduce people to Jesus and to nurture their relationships with him. Dynamic is related to the Greek word dunamis , which means power. So if we as pastors practice the biblical dynamics of care for the flock, Gods power will in time make our efforts productive. Because the title of this book is The Dynamics of Pastoral Care , each chapter title will identify one aspect of continuous pastoral activity that in Gods time will bear fruit.

Over the years I have met many individuals and families hurt by poor pastoral care, or by the absence of care. Bereaved families who experience pastoral insensitivity at their time of loss sometimes choose not to attend church at all. Families change churches because they are tired of being made to feel guilty for not doing more when they are already overburdened. Christians tired of legalism, no longer able to suppress their feelings or hide their pain, express frustration with pastors who dont let them be honest and real. Some of these saints wonder if pastors are for real.

I have certainly made mistakes as a pastor. But God has been faithful to forgive, and Gods people have extended grace. I have tried to learn from my mistakes and the mistakes of others. I make no claims of perfection or ultimate wisdom. What I offer in this book is founded on Scripture and proven in the crucible of experience.

My first pastorate was in a small church in the Chicago suburbs, where I served a loving and gracious flock of saints for almost six years. My second pastorate lasted fifteen years in an area that made the transition from rural bedroom community to suburb. That church enjoyed steady growth, adding an extra Sunday worship service and an associate pastor over time. The congregation I now serve in rural Iowa previously experienced a steady decline. The dynamics here are definitely different from what Ive experienced elsewhere.