The Emerging Christian Way

Ch. 13 – Pastoral Care for the 21^st Century

1.  Donald Grayston has been around the block a time or two, citing a long and impressive resume.  As part of his introduction, he emphasizes, “Work with the people who want to work with you, instead of spending your energy persuading the people who don’t want to work with you (or are not ready to work with you) to work with you!”  How has this wisdom proven reliable to you over the years?  Can you expand this strategy to other areas of life?

2.  The topics of pastoral care and adult Christian education are probably rare conversation pieces around most coffee tables.  Grayston indicates that they have traditionally been applied separately within the church.  He believes they can come together, however, in the realm of spiritual formation…creating “the essential matrix for congregational membership and adult Christian discipleship.”  From your experience over the years, how have you seen these two disciplines applied?  How have you been the recipient of each, and what value do you place on them?

3.  Grayston advocates for a much longer new member process than the typical model of several weeks.  Review his discussion of “field placements” on page 224.  Have you seen this model work in any congregation or religious setting?  What are the challenges of successfully implementing such an extensive and long-term program in this age of instant gratification and constant mobility?

4.  On page 226, Grayston introduces the concept of 16 as the minimum age for a rite of entry into adulthood.  Building up to this would be four critical areas of examination: spiritual practice, sexuality, social justice, and pilgrimage.  He then provides an integrative approach to spiritual formation for adolescents which include the four elements as outlined on page 229.  How does this prescription compare with the Lutheran model of confirmation? 

5.  Grayston encourages congregations to offer individual and/or group spiritual direction for each of its members.  How does st. Mark provide this already?  What additional means of spiritual direction would be beneficial to you and others?

6.  Finally, what else did you gain from this reading?  Are there any issues for Pastor Mark you wish to raise concerning this material or related issues?