I loved this blog post by Pastor Paul Cain. Note: that is “Cain” not “McCain.” We’ve had some fun with this over the years. I told him that obviously somebody cut the “Mc” off an otherwise perfect last name. Paul is a pastor in Wyoming and does a terrific job as the Wyoming District’s worship resource guy, producing a newsletter called Liturgy, Hymnody and Pulpit Quarterly Book Review, that he has now transitioned over to a blog. I encourage you to add QBR to your blog feed reader. Here is his post on his pastoral “tool kit.” Love it!

On the Road: Pastoral Care Tools in Wyoming

The Weather in Wyoming can confront a pastor with just about anything. It’s snowing outside as I type. How can one make sure he has everything for a shut-in or hospital visit and protect it all from the elements?

Shortly after I was ordained, I got tired of carrying my Bible, Communion Kit, and Hymnal along with bulletins, Portals of Prayer, and other resources in my bare hands. So, based on being raised by a carpenter, I went to SEARS and bought a tool bag. It served me well for nearly ten years until I needed something a little larger.

I am told that “Craftsman” is actually a better translation for Joseph’s vocation in Scripture than “carpenter” anyway!

So, the first photo in this blog post is my new pastor tool kit. I have bulletins, devotionals, Lutheran Service Book, an English Standard Version Bible, the LSB Pastoral Care Companion, and even the pocket edition of Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions on one side. On the other side is my Communion Kit, CDs for shut-ins, and a small kit for emergency baptisms. And it usually makes people smile.

Looking throughh the catalogs, one could spend hundreds or thousands on a new Communion Kit. I saw a nice looking one for $250 that looked like a handgun case. So, I went to the local sporting goods store and re-purposed a handgun case and food safe plastic camping bottles.

So, that is an insider’s guide to pastoral care tools out here in Wyoming. And may a be a good time to remind my brother pastors to be diligent in visiting your people. These are your tools: bread, wine, water and word. They appear humble, but they have great promises attached to them. No part of my ministry has borne more fruit than doing visits to shut-ins, hospitals, nursing homes, and eventually every member family in their homes. My wife calls it “hunting the brush.” Jesus called it leaving the ninety-nine to seek out the one. And heaven and earth rejoiced.

Peace in Christ,

Paul J Cain, QBR Editor