Individual Work in the Ministry (Preparing Servants)

The lecture by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III highlights the value and importance of individual work in ministry as a practical spiritual means for the salvation of souls and caring for each person individually. It shows that Scripture, the Lord Christ and the apostles gave many examples of God’s personal concern and individual work with people, and that this mode of ministry has a deep practical and spiritual effect not covered by collective works alone.

Detailed summary (in English, literal translation)

• Concept of individual work: Individual work is a private sitting with one person — a pupil, youth, neighbor, patient, or a special case — with the aim of uncovering their spiritual and psychological problems and helping them practically.
• Biblical examples: His Holiness mentions biblical examples: Christ’s meeting with Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman, Zacchaeus, the Emmaus disciples, post-resurrection meetings, and the parables of the lost sheep and the prodigal son which show leaving the 99 to seek the lost.
• Aims and importance: The aim is the salvation of souls, providing special care, addressing domestic and psychological problems, and sometimes rescuing from spiritual downfall. Individual work shows that each soul has special value for the servant and the church.
• Practical features: Individual work is practical and focused, allows spiritual gradualness and accompaniment step by step, and shows special interest felt by the addressed because one went to them or sought them out.
• Qualities of the servant in the private meeting: He should be characterized by humility, love, wisdom, patience, and gradualness in teaching virtues — not to intrude harshly or to show off.
• Ways of application: Visiting the sick, sitting with the bereaved, accompanying fallen girls, cases of backsliding, and comforting the afflicted — all are examples of specialized individual work fields.
• Its rewards and spirituality: Individual work is often carried out in secrecy, has great spiritual delight, and produces real fruits that may save a person’s life or completely change a spiritual course.
• Warnings: Do not make the person dependent on you; rather lead them to the Lord Christ; and do not present spiritual teachings beyond the capacity of new entrants, but proceed step by step.

Brief conclusion

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III calls servants to care for each soul individually, organize specialized individual works, and practice the work with love, humility, and wisdom, because these private sittings are the heart and spirit of ministry and not mere formalities.

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