Pastoral Ministry

Pastoral visiting is a crucial ministry for the wellbeing of our churches and communities. God has gifted us, lay and ordained for this ministry. To help develop these giftings, the following courses and links are especially helpful. Some training can be used off the shelf and delivered locally, others are offered by diocesan teams to parishes, deaneries or more widely. 

• Pastoral Assistant course - Canterbury Diocesan Course - course planned for later in 2021
• Essential Pastoral Care – a short course in principles of pastoral visiting (Chelmsford diocese)
• Pastoral Care UK- courses for congregations and pastoral teams supported by the Association of Christian Counsellors
• Pastoral Visiting Course- a 9 session course including guidelines for setting up a team and a commissioning liturgy (Chichester Diocese)
  • Guidelines for Incumbents
  • Liturgy for the Commissioning of a Pastoral Team (with grateful thanks to Chichester Diocese)

The Pastoral Care Resource Group (PCRG) works through the Mission and Ministry Team to resource, nurture and develop pastoral care provision in the local church. Through signposting to agencies, sponsoring learning events and Pastoral Assistant Courses, and being accessible for consultation, the PCRG seeks to enable and support the ministry of pastoral care. The group, convened by Nigel Collins, includes Judith Andrews, Louise Seear, Di Dawson, Carol Smith, Mary Penwarden, and Sarah Lucas.

Recommended resources for churches developing pastoral care provision include:

• Guidelines for Pastoral Care Teams - Best practice for teams 
• Guidelines for church leaders initiating or reshaping a Pastoral Care Team - an aid to think through what is needed to shape a healthy pastoral care team within a church setting (based on the Chichester Diocesan course guidelines) 

Find out about current courses and events by signing up to The Equipping for Ministry (EfM) mailing.

Please note that some course material in regards to teams and authorisation may be particular to the diocese from which the material originates.

Please contact Marianne Hambrook  regarding resource webinars and learning events and Nigel Collins regarding consultation enquiries or local learning needs.