"Despite one’s striving, some of the things received from God can be difficult to convey to believers." Brother C, a grassroots preacher in northern Jiangsu, recently shared insights on his pastoral experience.
He serves in a rural church where most of the believers are elderly people. What bothers him most is that a majority of the congregation views attending church as purchasing indulgences in the Middle Ages or the church as an incubator for babies.
Over the years, he has concluded that no matter how spiritually deep a sermon may be, most believers simply listen and leave without any resonance. Despite the times they have heard the messages, their spiritual lives remain unchanged. Only a few Christians have truly gained something, experiencing growth and transformation.
"But this often leads to putting in twice the effort for half the result. After various endeavors, only minimal progress is achieved, and even that is suppressed, leaving them unable to experience true freedom and liberation." A new outcome will occur as one's spiritual life grows, that is, they no longer align with other congregants.
Brother C gave an example: if a Christmas show rehearsal is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., those eager for spiritual growth will arrive early or on time, while those who aren’t will be late or even not show up. “Over time, those with aspirations and desire to serve will find it difficult to proceed.”
To his knowledge, this is a common issue. Preachers from Anhui Province and other regions have mentioned the same challenge—congregants’ lives remain unchanged despite great efforts. Some pastors remarked, "Even if Jesus himself came to preach, they might still not come to listen."
Brother C suggested that the church should establish a fellowship with Christians who desire spiritual progress to revitalize the congregation. He highlighted that organizing activities requires a certain amount of manpower and resources. It will be difficult to make progress if the church cannot offer relevant support. As a result, even the keen believers may eventually grow indifferent, or, in the worst case, leave the church altogether.
A church has been conducting Bible study activities that align with Brother C's suggestion. Some devoted believers continue to participate while serving in various roles in the church. Through Bible study, they can receive deeper pastoral care with the embodiment of a beautiful testimony in their service.
Additionally, it is essential to make appropriate adjustments to gathering and pastoral methods based on the status of the local congregation. For instance, a church in southern Anhui discovered that one—or two-day retreats were ineffective due to its relatively short history and its members' shallow faith foundation. Consequently, the pastor has established a youth fellowship in such circumstances, while small groups approach and nurture the elderly, gradually enhancing the worship format.
Regarding pastoral care, equipment with truth and the Scriptures is essential; however, delivering effective pastoral care based on the believers’ status requires church preachers, particularly leaders, to make genuine attempts.
- Edited and translated by Poppy Chan
