Persevering in Pastoral Care: Responding Beyond the Crisis

How do we love people long-term when the difficulty doesn’t go away? Tim Lane explores this question and draws from difficult scenarios in his pastoral ministry. He maintains that the church has a wonderful opportunity as the body of Christ to be an alternative family in crisis, especially when immediate family is not around. Tying together Ephesians 3 and 1 Peter 4, Lane gives a gospel incentive and imperative that frames how we persevere in pastoral care. After starting with this foundation, Lane discusses nine practical pastoral skills for concretely caring for others in this way, and includes phases of long-term care.