Articles

Pastoral care is a meaningful approach to ministry that seeks to come alongside people where they are. Some people are called to this work in hospitals, hospices, first responder teams, and other professional settings. However, the church also plays a vital role in the emotional, spiritual, and relational care of others. This article describes practical steps for a congregation to develop a pastoral sensitivity and stand in the gaps for those in crisis.

Earlier in my career, I served almost a decade as a chaplain in the United States Navy. I spent a lot of time aboard warships at sea, supporting the sailors and Marines who form the backbone of our sea services.
One of the indelible images that remains with me from my years at sea is that of an operation known as underway replenishment (or, in Navy jargon, UNREP). When a Navy ship needs more fuel, food or other supplies, it doesn’t always have the luxury of pulling into the nearest port like you or I would pull our cars into the nearest gas station or convenience store. It must be able to get what it needs through underway replenishment. During an UNREP, the ship comes alongside a support ship, hoses and lines are strung between the two ships (which are moving), and the support ship provides whatever is needed. It’s thrilling, and a little scary, being aboard a ship during an UNREP. The ships are close together, and the operation tests the nerve and ship handling skills of both crews, but the result is worth the effort.