Pastoral care is the embodiment of who Jesus is and what he does - God’s presence with us. When Jesus says, “I was hungry and you gave me food… a stranger and you welcomed me… naked and you gave me clothing, sick and you took care of me” (Matthew 25:35-36), he is describing pastoral care. James says it well, “Religion that is pure and holy before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress” (1:27).
Essentially, pastoral care is words and deeds shaped by love. That is what our Deacons (our primary pastoral care team) are called to do!