Seeing People on the JobMaking a difference through pastoral care in the workplace.Doug Self| Topics: | Community, Congregational care, Counseling, Fellowship, Pastoral care, Shepherding, Spiritual care, Spiritual direction, Spiritual leadership |
| Filters: | Church staff, Discipleship, Elder, Outreach, Pastor, Pastoral care, Shepherd, Spiritual director |
| Purpose: | Discipleship |
| References: | John 10:11-16 |
| Date Added: | July 12, 2007 |
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 Since people attend church only a few hours a week, I try to invest some of my time with them where they spend much of their time: at work.
In the early years of my ministry, I'd visit farms in the community where I served. It was fairly easy to spend a few minutes with agricultural folk. I'd wait at the end of the turn-row. When the farmer pulled up in the tractor, he'd shut it down for a few minutes' conversation.
Or I might work with the person I'd visit. I might drive the tractor or brand calves. I understood their work better, and they got to see how I operated on their turf, and the latter often prompted good-natured laughter.
There aren't many farmers or ranchers in my congregation now, nor do many pastors minister in agricultural settings. Most people work in shops and office buildings spread over a city. They're harder to see on the job. But that only increases the value of a pastor's visit.
Naturally, I try to be sensitive to the work situation. Sometimes company policy forbids employees to have visitors while on the job. In other cases, I can visit only with permission. I have to meet with some employees before or after their workday. Although most supervisors appreciate help from those who are concerned about the well being of their employees, it's always wise to check with them ahead of time. So before I visit, I ask the person for the name of his supervisor so I can explain to him what I'm about.
In spite of these few obstacles, I find visiting on the job has a number of benefits.
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It shows a pastor cares. A number of the men in our church are in the construction trade. One man works as a painter, another as a wallpaper hanger. Some are finish carpenters. Others are farmers. They work in several communities in all stages of construction.
I find out where they're working and try to drop by once or twice while they're on that job. On large home and commercial construction, it can be quite a treasure hunt to find them, but when I do, their faces always light up. By visiting them at their place of work, around which a great deal of their life revolves, I communicate, "Your pastor cares about you and your life."
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People's daily work is valued. Soon after one woman in our congregation had begun working for a property-management company, I drove an hour to see her on the job. She recently had divorced and was forced to find work to support herself and her small children.
I entered through a glass door and met the receptionist. As she greeted me, Carolyn, who had been talking to co-workers close by, visibly brightened and asked, "Doug, what are you doing here?"
"Well, I came to see you," I answered. "You look like a high-powered executive. Where's your office?"
Obviously pleased, she led me past her co-workers to her cubicle. Since she'd just joined the company, it was a small workspace, but it was hers. She sat behind her desk, and I sat in the chair in front of it.
"You mean you came all this way to see me?" she asked.
I explained that several other church members worked in the same town and that I'd come to see them, as well, but added, "I especially wanted to see you on your new job and pray for you, if that would be possible."
She was delighted and said she felt honored that I'd come to see her. We chatted a few minutes about her work. I sensed this shouldn't be a long visit in her busy office, so I looked around to make sure we had some privacy, and, looking at her, prayed, "Almighty God, we thank you for the opportunity to work hard, make money, and accomplish things. I pray for Carolyn in her work here that you would bless her with wisdom and efficiency. In Christ's name we pray. Amen." She smiled and stood to see me to the door.
Not only could I affirm her in her new job, I was able to pray with her and "bless" her daily endeavors, reminding her of Christ's presence in that place.
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