Pastoral psychology and pastoral care

Abstract

Any sound knowledge which we have of pastoral psychology will stand us in good stead throughout our ministry of pastoral care. And reflection upon our acts of pastoral care can inform, correct, or deepen our pastoral psychology. This is true regardless of the kind of pastoral care situation in which we are involved. Here we have dealt with parishioners for whom membership in the church was, in some way, a problem. Such situations are not only opportunities in evangelism, but also in pastoral care. If we can learn increasingly to bring our pastoral psychology to bear, and can get genuinely within the frame of reference of the people we try to help, we may indeed succeed in giving that help. And we may become better evangelists besides.