Rural Pastors, Family Welfare and Pastoral Care Equity Challenges

The Case of Three Classical Pentecostal Churches in Ghana

Abstract

Equity in pastoral care has emerged as a vital aspect of pastoral work, and its importance cannot be overstated, as it ensures the holistic well-being of all pastors and their families. The call to Christian ministry often comes with various challenges, and effective pastoral care is expected from church leadership, particularly in rural mission contexts. There is a prevalent perception that pastors in rural missions receive less financial and social support compared to their counterparts in urban areas. As a result, many pastors in certain churches tend to decline rural assignments and prefer to remain in urban settings. Others, who are unable to refuse rural postings due to the administrative structures of their churches, fulfil their calling out of necessity. This situation has become a significant burden for both church leaders and their pastors. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the challenges faced by pastors and their families serving in rural areas within three classical Pentecostal Ghanaian churches: The Church of Pentecost, The Apostolic Church of Ghana, and Christ Apostolic Church International. The goal is to gain insight into their perspectives on this issue. It is noteworthy that many pastors were hesitant to discuss their experiences due to concerns about potential victimisation or being perceived as ‘carnally minded’ despite assurances of confidentiality. Furthermore, there is a scarcity of literature addressing this sensitive topic, which has motivated this research.