Elizabeth Soule

21 March 2016
ENL 310-02
Professor Anne OToole-Bolthrunis
Scripture and Service: Profile of Reverend Charles K. Soule
For the past six years, Reverend Charles K. Souleaffectionately known as Pastor Chuck
has served as the minister for West Yarmouth Congregational
Church. He sometimes jokes about the ease of his job. I only
work Sundays, he says, repeating the commonly held
misconception. Truthfully, Pastor Chuck works a full work
weekand sometimes it goes beyond that. Like many
religious leaders, this pastor works tirelessly not only to serve
the needs of his congregation, but the needs of the outside community as well.
A large part of Pastor Chucks job comes in the form of pastoral care. Several times each
week, he can be found visiting members of his congregation in hospitals, rehabilitation centers,
and homes. When asked what qualifies someone for pastoral care, he explains, Pretty much
anything thats got to do with anyone in my congregation being in need of help, whether its
spiritually or emotionally. In addition to this, he also helps members of his congregation in need
through organizing or offering hands-on assistance within the home.
While pastoral care typically refers to the care of the congregation, Pastor Chuck also
extends this care and concern to individuals outside of it. Frequently, he receives requests from
people within the community for assistance. Sometimes, these requests can be resolved simply,
such as providing needy individuals with monetary assistance for groceries or rent. Other times,

they involve coordination with multiple community members in order to help someone in need.
One story he tells is of a local woman in need. While she owned her own home, it was in
disrepair and she was without heat and hot water. I was able to make a few phone calls and got
the local housing assistance group to contact an HVAC contractor to fix her heat, he explains.
One of the functions of the church he oversees is the mission work of the church. This is the
arm of the church that handles community outreach. This includes both charitable outreach
through donations, as well as more hands-on outreach through volunteerism. Speaking to the
churchs passion for giving, he says, We have a whole list of local charitiestwenty or thirty
different groupsthat we give amounts of money to. The names he lists range from the more
commonly known Salvation Army, to the local homeless shelter. Through the United Church of
Christ, the church also contributes to global outreach programs that seek to provide better living
conditions for people worldwide.
However, Pastor Chucks real passion for outreach comes in the form of the hands-on
volunteerism. Up until two years ago, this was something that the church struggled with. This all
changed with the creation of the Mission team. From how Chuck describes it, this team began as
a group of congregation members who wanted to do more. They found fulfillment in working in
the local Salvation Armys soup kitchen. The Mission team members prepare, set up and serve
the food to members of the community, often feeding 50-100 people each visit. Speaking to the
teams success, he says, Its a continually growing group. We started out with eight of us, and
now theres as many as fifteen people. Even to those not involved with the team, it appears to be
inspiring, leading some to volunteer at other local non-profits.
Pastor Chucks commitment to serving the community spans beyond the normal constraints
of his job. I firmly believe that its a pastors job to find stuff outside of the church to be

involved in, he says of his involvement. He currently volunteers as a chaplain for the fire
department. When there is a situation that may result in emotional or spiritual distress, he is
available for counsel. In addition to this, Pastor Chuck has previously served on the local food
pantrys board of directors. He is also now part of a local substance abuse action committee
which is dedicated to slowing the impacts of addiction on the surrounding community.
Why is it that Pastor Chuck focuses so intently on the concept of outreach? Churches are
often viewed as self-containedspiritual organizations that only take care of their own. Pastor
Chuck says that cannot be so: Worship is one thing, but if you dont take that worship and go
out into the community and do things in the community out of that worship, then youre not
doing the whole job as a church. You cant have one without the other. While some view the
relationship between church and outreach to be highly complex, Pastor Chuck sees it rooted in
scripture: Jesus says the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind
and strength. Youre also supposed to love your neighbor as your self. If you love God with all
your heart, soul, mind, and strength, you will love your neighbor as your self. And by loving
your neighbor as your self, you are demonstrating that you love God with all your heart, soul,
mind and strength. Its that simple.