Becoming a Minister

Pastoral Skills and the new minister

All ministers whether they are the church’s pastor or one of the associate ministers will be called upon to visit the sick and dying in the hospital, comfort the widows, and orphans, and other love ones of the sick and dying. As such, the minister has to have some knowledge of what will be expected of him/her by a grieving person. The more the minister knows about how to approach a grieving person, the better he/she will be able to render assistance.

In most cases the minister has more knowledge and expertise than they may believe that they have. This being said, one must realize that they have a number of years of life experiences to call upon at all times. Our parents, friends and life situations taught us most of what we learn in life. However, in this course you will be given some tools to work with that will make your job a little easier. I have a friend that told me that he counsels people through the readings that he gives. Readings? My friend is a certified medium, and believes that when he encounters any kind of situation, he only has to call upon spirit to take over and counsel the person before him. What he is really saying is that he has never had to give counsel to any one in the hospital, a person who has lost a love one, or even a person who was dying. This may not be entirely true, because every minister of Spiritualism has been ask the question, “Why did God take my son, my daughter, cousin or friend at such a young age?” Ministers are expected to have the answer this very important question. It is not just a question of whether or not the person asking the question believes in life after the change called death, or not, the question is still not answered for them. You could tell them that their love one had full filled their purpose on earth and it was time for them to go. Or you could tell them that you just don’t know why God some times takes some people in the prime of their life. This of course will not answer the question and you could be looked upon as a minister who just doesn’t know any thing about life.

As you read through the various books assigned to you at this time, you will learn many possible ways in which you can help people. Not all answers, of course, to question from people in general can be gotten from a book. Some time the minister has to go to an older experienced minister and ask for help. NEVER feel that you cannot ask another for help. That is what they are there for. It is the well being of the patient that is of the greatest concern. Not yours, or mine.