"So what are you doing here?" The role of the minister of the gospel in hospital visitation, or a theological cure for the crisis in evangelical pastoral care

c. Clown. The "clown" is another assumed identity. Generally, this is a matter of wisdom. The Bible teaches us: "A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver" (Prov 25:11) and also,

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance (Eccl 3:1-4).

We are to "rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn" (Rom 12:15).

The clerical "clown" unwittingly demeans the office of the pastor and practically confuses the role of the Minister in visitation of the sick and dying by assuming that the Minister is essentially a golden beam of God's sunshine for the sick. A call sometimes goes like this:

Minister: "What a great day out there today?" [The patient is preparing for a gall bladder operation.]

Patient: "I wouldn't know, Pastor. I'm stuck in this place."

Minister: "Well, it won't be long until you're out there with the rest of us enjoying God's beautiful creation!"

It is my observation that this falsely assumed identity is more common in rural areas or in cases where the clergyman has lower education. However, assuming false identities knows no socio-economic or educational boundaries in the ministry. It seems that any of us could fall into the trap. For instance, many acquainted with or trained in modern pastoral care would never make this mistake, choosing to be-perhaps more damaging-morose and cheerless over giddy and gay. In that case they become, not "clowns," but "sad sacks." In other cases, the happy clown pastor may be using his inappropriate demeanor to hide the fact that he has nothing to say. That is, he has not done the necessary work of preparing for the call, or preparing his own soul.

d. Moral lecturer. A further falsely assumed role, I would suggest, would be that of "moral lecturer." This identity seems to be getting closer to our model in several ways, but it fails the test, and fails it as miserably as the others. This identity is somber, solemn, approaching the call with a gravitas worthy of the circumstance. There may be great preparation for the call, not a small time analyzing the possible diseases of the soul. The problem comes by, again, failing the test of biblical wisdom (previously referred to) as well as wise, old traditions in the church. The Moral Lecturer/Clergyman enters the room, not with the motif of a servant with basin and towel, but a flint-faced, stern preacher who is intent on doing battle with the devil in the bed. His manners are hard. His tone may assume that of a concerned parent dealing with a disobedient child. His entire time with the parishioner may be spent in teaching. He may have prepared a brief homily for the person.

Again, I quote the Presbyterian Patrick Fairbain: "A single verse or brief passage of Scripture, uttered in a serious, affectionate, and believing manner; or the same in a few appropriate sentences, explained and applied, will often do more than a multitude of words."23 Fairbairn reminds the minister of the gospel: