October 4, 2022
When to Call a Pastor? Five Suggested Times
With all that is happening in the world, sometimes it can be helpful to talk with a pastor. Luckily here at Prince of Peace, we have three pastors who are willing and interested in being there for you. From time to time, I hear about someone being in the hospital or have had a major life experience well after the fact. While our presence is not always needed in every situation, we certainly would like to know so we can offer spiritual care and pray for you.
Here are five times you may want to call on a pastor:
1. When you need a listening ear or prayer. Many of our troubles have several layers to them, and they often include a spiritual layer. We are spiritual people. While it helps to talk through things with friends and family, it can also be good to include a pastor in that group to give spiritual advice on what is happening.
2. When you are in or going into the hospital. Being in a hospital can be overwhelming in a lot of ways. Weird things are happening to your body. You are often bombarded by an endless amount of medical information or people trying to explain what is happening to you. I have found in these times it can be really nice to have a friendly face arrive that can listen and offer prayer.
3. When someone wants to know more about the church or Jesus. As a Lutheran church, we welcome and invite all people. Our hope is that you as a minister of the congregation will invite people who do not have a church home. Pastors are available to join you in having those conversations as we talk about the ins and outs of the church.
4. When death is about to happen or has occurred. We are people of ritual; we tend to thrive and make sense of the world through all sorts of different rituals. As we approach death and during the time after, there are several different rituals that can help. We would be honored to accompany you during this time.
5. When a major life change is happening or about to happen. Many of our days, months, and years can go by without any major differences. Then there are major life changes like marriage, having kids, retirement, moving, and dealing with issues that are causing stress in your life. During these times, we pastors can help you stay connected to God, the source and ground of all goodness and life.
These are just five ideas; there are other times that may occur to you as well. Don’t hesitate to call. Know that we are here for you as members of Prince of Peace!
God’s Peace,
Pastor Tim