Help Tool For Pastoral Care

Pastoral Care Basics Caring for Group Members

As a Lifegroup leader, you are part of the pastoral team of your church. The "feeding of the sheep" has been released through you to care for the people in your group. You don't need to be a trained counselor, but you do need to understand how to provide basic pastoral care and when to refer people to additional resources.

Understanding Your Role

You are not called to be a professional counselor or to fix everyone's problems. Your role is to be a shepherd who cares for the flock, points people to Jesus, and connects them with appropriate resources when needed. Remember that restoration is God's work - you are simply a conduit of His love and care.

The HELP Model for Caring

When people come to you with problems, use this biblical framework for providing care:

H - Have Patience

1 Thessalonians 5.14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

  • The foundation of pastoral care must be genuine love and care for the person you're helping. Without love, even the best advice rings hollow (1 Cor 13).

  • Helping people takes time and requires patience

  • Take time to listen well

  • You need to truly understand the person's situation, struggles, heart issues, and circumstances. This involves careful listening and asking good questions to get beneath surface problems.

E - Equip with the Word of God

2 Timothy 3.16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

  • Once you understand, you need to speak God's truth in love - bringing biblical wisdom, gospel hope, and practical guidance that addresses both the heart and the behavior.

  • Use Scripture to guide people to truth when they face questions or lies

  • Help them see what God's Word says about their situation

  • Point them to God's promises and His character revealed in Scripture

L - Lead them to the Presence of God

Mark 2.4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on.

Like the friends who lowered the paralytic through the roof, help remove barriers between people and Jesus

  • Pray with them when you're together

  • Help them cultivate their own relationship with God rather than becoming dependent on you

  • Teach them to listen for God's voice, receive His comfort and guidance through prayer and His Word

P - Point them to other Resources and Ministries as Needed

  • Recognize when issues are beyond your level of care and expertise

  • Talk with your Zone Pastor for help in connecting people with professional counseling, pastoral staff, or specialized ministries.