The familiar voice of a pastor can bring peace in times of trouble. Your consistent ministry of the Word and love for your people create a strong bond. It’s often easily overlooked in the good times, but when circumstances suddenly change, so does our people’s appreciation for sound words of grace and truth. Though we can be tempted to judge people gripped by fear, this is a stewardship not to be squandered.
After all, these members have been entrusted to you, and you will give an account for those souls. Below are lessons I’ve learned from sometimes failing to properly care for fearful members.
First, acknowledge that fear is real.
Regardless of the actual threat level, you’re ministering to a person with a real need, and for that reason alone, it must be taken seriously. The fact that you’re not afraid, hurt, discouraged, confused, or suffering from any kind of distress does not discharge you from the duty of care. Jesus perceived fear in the disciples and gave them words of comfort (John 14:27). Peter tells us to cast our cares on the Lord because he assumes we all have seasons of anxiety (1 Peter 5:7). Scripture doesn’t give us
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