Pastoring God's People
For all those who have been commissioned to
pastoral roles of all kinds.
Creating a Climate of Invitation
By April Yamasaki
What is the pastor’s role in calling people to faith? The things that
jump to my mind first are the direct tasks that are usually expected of pastors:
preaching sermons that invite people to faith or renewed faith; discipling
through one-on-one pastoral care; and preparing people for baptism through
faith exploration or catechism classes. While these are important, however,
the missional church vision calls us to more.
The pastor’s role is also to encourage and equip others in their own disciple-making.
Whether in the congregation or beyond its walls, each member is called to take
part in inviting others to faith and commitment. Parents call their own children
to faith, adults serve as mentors to youth, and members invite newcomers to the
church and to faith. How can these things happen most effectively? The pastor’s
encouragement may be just as important as the formal job of, say, leading the
faith exploration class.
Encourage all adults to nurture others on the journey of faith. Teach and preach this as part of the mission and role of the church. Refer to this ministry in your pastoral and congregational prayers during worship. Write encouraging notes to parents and friends of those considering faith. Besides verbal encouragement, offer “how to” resources, such as those found in Making Disciples.
Encourage people to share their faith stories – and not just at the usual times of Sunday worship and as baptisms approach. Storytelling can happen among mentoring partners, whether it’s a youth paired with an older member or a newcomer paired with an established member. It can also happen informally at intergenerational events such as mission fairs, potlucks, games nights, or guess-who’s-coming-to-dinner events.
Promote your faith exploration group or catechism class with gusto.Make announcements in the church newsletter and weekly bulletin. Ask people from a previous group to share their experience with the congregation. Write personal invitations to the youth; also let their parents know when and where the sessions will be and what materials will be used, and allow them to ask questions. Help parents recognize their important role in encouraging their children to take part while also allowing the youth to make their own decisions.
Invite children and youth to call other children and youth—and even adults—to faith. Don’t underestimate the ability of children and youth to invite others to faith. One of my best encouragers was a youth who told her friends, “You should join that [faith exploration] class. I loved it last year!” Young children who love Sunday school help improve their parents’ attendance as well. People of all ages can serve to encourage others on the journey of faith.
Plan a “foundations of faith” worship or preaching series. The period leading up to a baptism may be a good time for the congregation’s worship to focus on foundations of faith. During the series, encourage adults to share their faith journeys as part of the worship service, in Christian education classes, in small groups, or as guests in the faith exploration group.
When there is a baptism, explain it to the children. Encourage parents and children to talk about baptism after the service. What did the children notice? What does baptism mean? Do they ever think about baptism for themselves some day?
Host a parents’ meeting. Share common concerns and talk about how the church might help them talk to their children and youth about God. Ask parents to share examples from their experience and to contribute ideas. Have someone take notes and distribute these to parents as a written resource for those who took part and for those who were unable to attend.
Ask for prayer. Invite individuals and households to pray for people they know who are at various stages of decision about faith—those who have not yet declared their faith, those who are preparing to be baptized, and those who have considered baptism but may not feel ready at this time.