I do not mean that we no longer need the PACE ministry today. In fact, I believe that we need it more than ever. However, today’s society is very different from the society in which PACE was developed. Dr. Melvin developed the PACE ministry approximately three decades ago, and the world has changed significantly since then.
Therefore, my question is not, “Do we still need PACE?” My question is, “Is PACE working effectively in today’s church and society?”
Of course, the answer depends largely on how seriously we understand and practice it.
As we all know, PACE is a caring ministry:
- P — Pray for others
- A — Be Available to others
- C — Contact others regularly
- E — Be an Example as a Christian
These principles are simple, but practicing them is becoming increasingly difficult in today’s world.
1. Prayer
Let us begin with prayer.
I have found that people today are extremely busy. In our economic society, many people feel that if they do not continue working and striving, they cannot survive. They are busy with their own responsibilities, their work, and their families. Many people are struggling simply to survive.
On the surface, they may appear to be fine. However, many are crying inwardly. Some are facing urgent problems and heavy pressures in their lives.
Because people are struggling with their own difficulties, it is not always easy for them to pray for others. Sometimes they do not even have enough time to think about the needs of others.
Prayer may seem easier than the other elements of PACE because we do not necessarily have to go somewhere physically. We can pray wherever we are. Nevertheless, sincere prayer requires emotional involvement, concern, and a willingness to carry the burdens of others before God.
Even prayer can be difficult for people whose lives are already filled with stress and struggle.
2. Availability
The second element, Availability, may be even more difficult.
Prayer can be offered wherever we are. We do not always need to go physically to another person. Availability, however, often requires more. It requires both emotional and physical involvement.
When someone needs us, we must be willing to give them our time, attention, and presence.
This is difficult in today’s society.
Dr. Melvin and his team developed this ministry because they believed that caring for others was something Christians should do. However, people today are often much busier than they were when this ministry was first developed.
It is not easy for people to share their precious time with others. Even when they finally have free time, they often want to rest and recover from the stress and pressure of their own lives.
For many people, availability may seem unrealistic.
3. Contact
The third element is Contact.
Contact means reaching out to others regularly and proactively.
Availability means being ready when someone needs us. Contact goes one step further. It means that we do not simply wait for people to come to us. We take the initiative to contact them.
We call them. We visit them. We send a message. We ask how they are doing.
Again, this requires time, energy, commitment, and genuine concern.
When we practice Prayer, Availability, and Contact, we gradually become an Example to others as Christians.
Is PACE Too Difficult for Ordinary Christians?
When we consider these four elements carefully, we must admit that PACE is not easy to practice.
Perhaps this is not a ministry that can be carried out casually. It requires serious commitment.
We need to think seriously about PACE and ask God for the strength and persistence to continue. We also need people who have particular caring gifts—such as mercy, compassion, encouragement, and a genuine concern for others.
I am not saying that ordinary Christians cannot participate in PACE. However, I am saying that we should not take this ministry lightly.
If we believe that PACE is needed in today’s church, then we must seriously consider how we can help people practice it in the reality of today’s society.
How Can We Solve This Problem?
I can think of two important answers:
- Regular re-equipping
- Individual supervision
1. Regular Re-equipping
I believe that regular re-equipping is essential.
Initial training is not enough. People may begin the ministry with enthusiasm, but over time they can become tired, busy, discouraged, or forget why they began.
Therefore, they need regular opportunities to renew their understanding, commitment, and vision.
During re-equipping, they may use Dr. Melvin’s materials. Of course, they can also be creative and develop additional materials that address the needs of today’s society.
First of all, I recommend looking again at the thirteen monographs. I believe that there are valuable answers and insights within these materials.
When I revisited PACE network churches, I used some of these materials again. I found them to be very useful, helpful, and valuable.
Re-equipping renews people’s commitment. It also renews their identity and reminds them who they are as lay ministers.
Sometimes people do not need an entirely new ministry. They need to rediscover the meaning and purpose of the ministry they have already received.
2. Individual Supervision
The second important answer is individual supervision.
Lay pastors and caregivers need to meet regularly with their Shepherd or ministry leader. These regular meetings can provide encouragement, guidance, accountability, and spiritual support.
A caregiver also needs care.
If lay ministers are expected to care for others without receiving encouragement and supervision themselves, they may eventually become tired and lose their motivation.
Therefore, individual supervision is not simply an administrative responsibility. It is also a caring ministry for those who are caring for others.
PACE for Today’s Church
The world has changed since PACE was first developed. People are busier, more stressed, and often more isolated than before.
For this very reason, we may need PACE more than ever.
However, we cannot simply assume that people will practice PACE naturally after receiving initial training. Today’s society creates many obstacles to Prayer, Availability, and Contact.
Therefore, we need to take the ministry more seriously.
We need regular re-equipping. We need good supervision. We need to renew people’s commitment and identity. We also need to consider creative ways of applying the principles of PACE to the realities of today’s society.
The principles of PACE have not become outdated.
Prayer is still needed.
Availability is still needed.
Contact is still needed.
Christian example is still needed.
Perhaps the question is not whether PACE fits today’s church.
The more important question is:
Are we equipping and supporting today’s Christians in a way that enables them to practice PACE in today’s world?
That may be the real challenge before us.