PALs are the foundation of Mission: North America's mission "to more effectively penetrate and permeate North America with the love of Jesus Christ." Sanctuary PALs are Pastors At Large who simply provide pastoral care to anybody in need in the world. It's that simple!

The New Testament word that is translated "pastor" is poimane, which means "shepherd." A shepherd/pastor loves and provides care for a particular group of people. Every mother and father is a pastor to their kids. Husbands and wifes are pastors to each other. Kids can be pastors to each other and, in specials ways, can even be PALs to their parents!

Traditionally a pastor of a church has been understood as the caretaker of his or her congregation, providing for their spiritual and emotional support and nurture. However, we live in a different culture -- a modern, market-driven, consumerist society - that has greatly reshaped and redefined the role of pastor/shepherd and the expectations of the congregation/sheep.

While not denying its necessity, what has been lost - and what we seek to recover - is the original simplicity of poimane in providing love and care for people God loves. And God loves ALL people.

Pastors at Large (PALs) provide pastoral care to people at large. In this way, every Christian is - or ought to be - a PAL (see "The Issue of Ordination"). Some are equipped for this task, some are not.

Why are PALs needed?

There are estimates that up to 219.5 million people are unchurched in North America. According to both Barna Research and Gallop polls, HALF of all unchurched are formerly churched! These are people who were once part of a flock but, for a variety of reasons, are no longer.

Many just strayed and we left untended and cared for. Many got caught up in the thickets of secular pursuits and have remained stuck all these many years because no shepherd/pastor left their flocks behind to seek them out and rescue them. Many were - and remain - wounded and alienated due to church conflicts. And with every passing week, month, or year, both the pain and alienation deepens as they cope with the realization that neither their absence nor what happened really matters to anybody. At least not enough to seek them out and provide care for them.

The great majority of existing pastors are already tremendously burdened and overextended trying to keep their churches afloat and meeting the needs and expectations of their congregations. They simply haven't the time or resources to devote to providing pastoral care for formerly churched as well.

We believe this is part of the marvelous, unfolding movement of the Spirit of God. The hurting, unchurched, and formerly-church mission field needs PALs!! We need Pastors at Large to penetrate to world with the love of Jesus Christ. The unchurched and formerly-churched are so receptive and reachable. But they don't want (or need) preaching. They simply want (and need) Christian love. They have a story to tell but nobody is listening.

Or so they think.