During the Discipleship Conference
Archbishop of the Episcopal Church: Pastoral Care Is Not an Obligation but a Choice and a Responsibility Before God
Archbishop of the Episcopal Church: Pastoral Care Is Not an Obligation but a Choice and a Responsibility Before God
Today, Archbishop Dr. Sami Fawzy, Archbishop of the Province of Alexandria of the Episcopal Anglican Church, participated in the Diocese’s Discipleship Conference for clergy and ministry leaders. The conference was attended by Dean Hany Shenouda, Director of the Diocese’s Discipleship Ministry, Rev. Reda Bishry, Pastor of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Rev. Moody Habib, Priest at All Saints’ Cathedral, and Deacon Tamer Fawzy of St. Athanasius the Apostolic Episcopal Church in Ain Shams. The event was held at St. Mark House in Obour City.
In his sermon, Archbishop Fawzy said:
“The picture of discipleship presented in Scripture resembles that of a shepherd responsible for his flock. He is called to ‘shepherd the flock of God that is among you,’ meaning that he is to care for and oversee those entrusted to him, not merely those who are far away. Pastoral care is not carried out out of compulsion, but out of choice and responsibility before God. The transformation of a person and their decision to follow Christ is not for our glory but for the glory of God, who uses us as instruments to reveal His grace.”
He emphasized that the ministry of a shepherd is not limited to preaching, but is expressed through a life of genuine care and by being a living example to those he serves.
The Archbishop continued:
“Discipleship reveals the character of the servant, as demonstrated by the Apostle Paul in his letters, particularly in First Corinthians. Paul viewed himself as a servant laboring within the ship, helping it move forward without seeking prominence. He saw himself as a steward entrusted with God’s mysteries—the Gospel—and his responsibility was to serve the Church according to God’s commands rather than for personal recognition.”
He noted that despite facing hardship, hunger, imprisonment, and poverty, Paul remained humble and faithful, recognizing that it is God who gives growth and directs the work of ministry.
Concluding his message, Archbishop Fawzy highlighted the importance of spiritual parenthood in discipleship:
“Discipleship carries the dimension of spiritual fatherhood. A servant of God is called to bring spiritual children to Christ or to nurture those entrusted to him, participating in their spiritual birth and accompanying them with genuine, sacrificial love—not merely with words.”
He added that a faithful shepherd is characterized by sincere love, the ability to correct and counsel with compassion, exemplary living, consistent teaching, and discipline when necessary. He stressed that pastoral care is a responsibility comparable to caring for one’s own family, warning that neglect can lead to spiritual harm, while faithfulness in shepherding produces genuine spiritual growth.