Dear Sir,
I believe that you were right to publish the letter from the retired pastor’s wife (May en) but I was saddened to read the antagonistic response in the June issue.
The retired pastor’s wife would know full well what is entailed in the responsibilities of a pastor.
The letters raise many issues (e.g. Is it wise to remain in the church you have once pas-tored? Sometimes it is difficult to move, especially if family members remain and if unable to afford a move. Is the importance of having a pastoral heart and pastoral visitation emphasised in ministerial training?).
A retired pastor friend had severe health and family problems a few years ago and felt the lack of pastoral care in a church to which he had moved. He expressed the opinion that there is a crying need is not only for men able to preach the Word, but men who also have a pastoral heart.
I have contact with people throughout the UK and abroad and come across the same problem repeatedly. There are pastors in churches who are not approachable and who do not visit their church members. I know of pastors losing their tempers with members in church business meetings. They have no pastoral heart and should not be pastoring a church whatever abilities they possess.
Being a pastor is a pressurised calling. If a man has no love for his flock (even the awkward ones), what is he doing as a pastor? Spurgeon excelled in his pastoral visitation.
Yours sincerely,
