Q: Friends of mine, connected with another denomination, have been told that full-time United Church ministers are not obliged to visit or phone the sick and shut-ins within their congregation. Can this be true?

A: It never ceases to amaze me what people think clergy do or don’t do. I and every minister I know make hospital visits when a person is ill. I’ve seen countless faces light up when I walk into the hospital room or express relief when it’s an end-of-life situation. These are deeply affecting moments when a person is at their most vulnerable.

We also call and visit shut-ins, but I think it’s critical that the congregation plays a role in this work as well. Ongoing pastoral care should, in my view, be based in the members of the congregation. If you have a dedicated pastoral care minister, that’s amazing. But if your minister works part time, there is no way they can do this on top of everything else.

More on Broadview:

• What to do about a meddling member

• My church’s new members are ruffling feathers. What should we do?

• My church is running out of money. What should we do?

Also, I encourage you to see your minister as a critical asset. In a time of massive decline, serious conversations need to be had about where they can spend their time strategically to help create long-term sustainability for your community of faith.

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In my own ministry, I found community engagement and visiting new folks, especially folks in their 20s and 30s, incredibly important. Meeting them in their homes or their workplaces or even on Zoom builds connection and a relationship. It makes people feel valued and opens the door to deeper engagement with the congregation.

***

Rev. Christopher White is a United Church minister who lives in Hamilton. Do you have a query for Question Box? Email christopher.white143@gmail.com.

This column first appeared in Broadview’s December 2024 issue with the title “Question Box.”

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