The Art of Pastoral Follow-Up

Effective follow-up isn't just about checking boxes. It's about shepherding people. Learn how to track pastoral care without losing the personal touch.

Why Tracking Matters for Care

Pastoral care often falls through the cracks, not because of a lack of heart, but a lack of organization. Tracking interactions ensures no one is forgotten during their time of need.

• Remembering anniversaries of loss
• Checking in after hospital visits
• Following up on prayer requests

Creating a Care Pipeline

Establish a systematic approach to care. Who is responsible for initial contact? Who handles long-term follow-up? Define the workflow.

• Create care queues for different needs (hospital, grief, financial)
• Assign ownership to specific pastors or leaders
• Set automated reminders for follow-up steps

Equipping Lay Leaders

Pastors can't do it alone. Empower lay leaders to share the burden of care. With the right tools, small group leaders and care teams can be effectively deployed.

• Share limited access to care notes
• Train leaders in active listening and prayer
• Create a feedback loop so pastors stay informed

Using Technology to Shepherd

Technology shouldn't replace personal care; it should enhance it. Use your ChMS to prompt you to make that call or write that note.