Pastoral Care Research Articles

Worship Leader Training (Theory and Practice) for Lay Pastoral Servants at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Tomohon

Lay Pastoral Ministers (PPA) are laity who are called and sent among the faithful and the community to carry out the pastoral care of the local Church. PPA in the Parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Tomohon, specifically ministers in the field of spirituality numbered approximately 153 people spread across 51 groups of people called spiritual areas. The Spiritual Area is a Church Base Community (KBG) consisting of 30-40 families whose number of people is around 90-125 people per KBG. Thus, PPA in the Parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus serves approximately 4,229 people. One form of service is the Liturgical Apostolic in the form of the Worship of the Word which is held regularly and other Worship such as the Thanksgiving Service and the Worship of the Spirits which are held in due time. Facing the needs of worship services, both held regularly and at any time, PPA generally has difficulties when it comes to leading worship. In general, they still use the old Code of Worship because PPAs have not received socialization and training on the use of the new Code of Worship formulation. Departing from the above problems, through this Faith-Based Community Service activity, the service and team and also through collaboration with the Spiritual Field of the Pastoral Council at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Tomohon Parish, will organize training activities for PPA, especially about leading worship. With the implementation of this training, it is expected to have a good and effective impact on PPA and other participants and also provide knowledge and skills so that worship in each KBG can be carried out properly and the faith of the people will grow and develop..

To Whom Is the Institutional Chaplain Beholden? Reconciling the Christian Chaplain’s Tension of Identity With a Theology of Calling

Abstract Professional chaplains have the unique opportunity to provide spiritual care within institutional settings where other types of pastoral care may not exist. Serving within these institutions presents special challenges, including tension between multiple identities and responsibilities. This tension can create conflict within the Christian chaplain, and confusion as to whom they are ultimately beholden. The first section of the article discusses what I see as the five identity-related tensions a professional chaplain may experience serving in an institution. The second section of the article outlines a Christian theology of calling built on the framework of Covenant Theology and God’s reconciling work of grace. This theology of calling orients the professional identity of the Christian chaplains, rooting them in a clear sense of their responsibilities within their institutional setting. Christian chaplains are beholden first to God and to the calling God places on their life. Proper orientation to that calling equips chaplains to reconcile any cognitive dissonance caused by identity-related tensions, thus opening up a richer spiritual dialogue with God as they live out their kingdom-advancing mission.

Essence of religion, culture and indigenous language in a unified sexuality education system

Sexuality education is fundamental in higher and tertiary education institutions (HTEIs). Evidence suggests that its effective education is through translations into the first language of learners. However, in global and multilingual cultural communities such as HTEIs, the foundations for these translations are still a researchable area. Notably, in HTEIs adolescents, young adults and adults co-exist and therefore, any translations must be toned to balance across these groups. The aim of this study was to establish strategies that could enable sexuality educators to effectively transfer information that is steeped in indigenous language, religious and cultural meaning without precipitating stigma and taboo issues. The study setting was the National University of Science and Technology where a cross section of indigenous cultures, languages and religions co-existed with other global cultures. A University Community-based Participatory Research (CBPR) methodology was administered by the researchers using a Delphi research approach to students and staff. Multilingual, multilayered, multireligious, and multicultural nature of the setting presented serious challenges that compromised the prevention of stigma and taboo issues when dealing with sexuality education. We recommend that the strategy to present sexuality education in indigenous languages to the generality of HTEIs population should, in the first instance, involve systematic identification of appropriate interventions that are religious, cultural, and language-specific.Contribution: This research reveals paramount ethical and religious violations that have a potential to precipitate opportunistic sexual relationships that may lead to impediments in capacity building for learners. This research can be utilised by academics on the field of Practical Theology, specifically youth ministry and pastoral care.

Entrepreneurial teacher leaders as reframers of pastoral care: the mediating influence of technological opportunism

ABSTRACT Studies have shown that teacher leaders take the initiative to shape and exercise pastoral care practices to meet the rapid changes in student learning and well-being. The present study aims to examine and conceptualize the relationship between teacher entrepreneurial behaviour (TEB) and the renewal of pastoral care practices while accounting for any possible mediating effects of new technologies. We collected 446 responses to survey questions from teacher leaders from 53 secondary and primary schools in Hong Kong. We then employed structural equation modelling to test the associations between TEB, renewing pastoral care practice, and technological opportunism. The results support three proposed hypotheses insofar as higher levels of TEB are positively associated with renewing pastoral care, which is in turn mediated by technological opportunism. The results advance teacher leadership research regarding how TEB contributes to the sustainable development of pastoral care strategies in schools. They also demonstrate that teacher leaders with strong TEB are more willing to seek new technologies and treat them as opportunities for change, which contributes to the literature showing that information and communication technology (ICT) resources not only support teachers initiatives but also help them develop new ideas.

Learning to love

This article speaks to the relationship between social action and mission. It argues that mission at church-based, intercultural initiatives is better understood and enabled when principles and practices of pastoral care are applied. A study of four, church-based intercultural initiatives in Melbourne demonstrated that the development of intercultural pastoral care practices offers a way to understand mission that is relevant for local-church-based community initiatives.
 Pastoral care and mission have a confused relationship in the literature and are brought into conversation with these four case studies, demonstrating that pastoral theology has insights to offer mission. In particular, this article explores themes of compassion and empathy, formation for hospitality, and the need for deeper spiritual formation in local, church-based, intercultural community initiatives. This is an important understanding at a time when many Western Christians seem at a loss to know how to effectively engage with others in a rapidly changing and often indifferent society. It is suggested that mission is framed as pastoral care at similar, church-based initiatives. Pastoral formational practices of reflective practice, spiritual engagement and supervision are recommended for all engaged in church-based, intercultural mission and this has broader relevance to all engaged in mission.

The Diaconal Work of Sisters Kristína and Mária Royová—An Example of the Link between Christian Anthropology and Social Work

Considering the intermingling of problems in today’s multi-crisis environment, this text explores the possibilities of intertwining social work and pastoral care. In the search for effective approaches, we find dynamic patterns in the activities of the Royová (Roy) sisters. Their diaconal work is an important source for social work history illustrating how social work took the form of diaconal (charity) work with a rich pastoral reach at the time. Their activities represent a natural link between Christian anthropology and social work. This study mainly investigates the Christian (spiritual) basis of the social and charitable activities of the Royová sisters, the beginnings of the institutionalisation of social and charitable work in Slovakia and Serbia through the organisations founded by the Royová sisters, the Christian-social interpersonal contribution of the Roy sisters to the development of Slovak and European social work personified by their cooperation with several personalities of social and charitable work at the international, national, and local levels, and the contribution of the Roy sisters in the creation of women’s, volunteer, and international roots of social and charitable work in Slovakia and Europe. In their responses to the needs of their environment, we find significant stimuli for pastoral theology, which is supposed to respond to the needs of the multi-crisis environment of today.

Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of the Divorced and Remarried in Czechia after Amoris laetitia

The article summarizes the Czech way of searching and creating possible guidelines of the Bishops' Conference or directives of individual bishops after the Post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation Amoris laetitia of Pope Francis. It discusses the establishments of a commission of experts, refers to foreign opinions that inspired the commission in its work, and outlines the lack of consensus among the bishops. Thus, the Bishops’ Conference failed to draw up uniformed guidelines on the subject. One of the bishops (the Diocese of Plzeň), after some time of searching for a solution, finally issued his own diocesan directive in the spring of 2023, the content of which is also presented in the text of the article.

Religious Services or the Care of Souls in Reports on Clerics at the Moravian and Silesian Estates Belonging to the Prince of Liechtenstein from the Second Half of the Eighteenth Century

The reform of the Catholic clergy initiated by the Council of Trent emphasized the importance of the practical exercise of the care of souls (cura animarum). The ideal priest should, following the example of Christ—the Good Shepherd, take responsible care of his ‘sheep’—the parishioners. The paper focuses on how the parish clergy performed pastoral care, based on the analysis of reports written on clerics working in the 1760s in ten Moravian and Silesian estates of the Prince of Liechtenstein. These reports prepared by the Prince’s officials mostly contain an evaluation of the performance of the pastoral care by the given cleric. They thus provide an interesting insight into the religious services offered by the lower clergy from the perspective of the owner of the estate, who was also the patron of the local parishes. They show that the Prince of Liechtenstein as the patron, together with his officials, supervised how the clerics provided for the spiritual needs of his subjects and furthermore through the exercise of the right of patronage he helped to provide his subjects with proper pastoral care.

Appropriation of mindfulness in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland

Mindfulness has gained increasing popularity across Western societies over the past couple of decades, although mainly in forms that have been stripped of all religious content. During this period, the practice has also attracted the interest of mainstream Christian churches, which has precipitated the development of distinctively ‘Christian’ forms of mindfulness. Based on a critical discussion of the concept of appropriation in the sphere of religion, this article explores the particular logic whereby mindfulness has been appropriated within the particular ecclesiastical context of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland (ELCF) in light of debates in church-connected media and the content of two Finnish BA theses on pastoral care that argue for the adoption of the practice. In light of this data, the article illustrates how ELCF discourse on mindfulness has been marked by four closely interlinked requirements for the appropriation of the practice: 1. that the practice has already been thoroughly stripped of any overt religious content; 2. that it has become sufficiently scientifically validated; 3. that there is wider social and cultural interest in the practice; 4. and that the practice does not stand in opposition to the teachings of the church.

Gaya Kepemimpinan Karismatik

This paper focuses on the leadership model of Panglima Jilah as the great leader of the (TBBR) in Borneo, Kalimantan. As Panglima Jilah became a symbol struggle for justiceof the Dayak people themselves and at the same time by leading and organizing forty-eight thousand personnel in the Pasukan Merah Bangkule Rajankng organization, Kalimantan. Therefore, the focus of this discussion departs from the author's awareness and love related to the experience and dynamics of a leadership in an organization. As asserted by Wahjosumidjo that leadership is essentially something inherent in a leader. Which something is in the form of certain traits such as personality, ability and capability. Departing from that, it is important that the leadership style of an influential figure in Kalimantan needs to be examined, explored and raised more deeply, both philosophically and from the point of view of modern era leadership management. The methodology used in writing this paper is the literature method with source books on leadership theory and other sources that support writing. In addition, in order to ensure validity and originality, this paper is also accompanied by some results of experiences sharing and dialogue with activists involved in TBBR membership during their one-year pastoral care in St. Joseph Meraban Parish, Diocese of Ketapang.

A post-colonial political theology of care and praxis in Ethiopia’s era of identity politics

This book is a revised version of the author’s PhD thesis that was submitted to Denver University and the Iliff School of Theology. In the introductory section, the author discusses how her social location motivated her to research the topic of identity politics in Ethiopia. She argues that identity politics has been a major factor in Ethiopia’s political instability and violence. Ethiopia experiences frequent identity-based violence. Molla indicates that identity politics has divided Ethiopian society and eliminated in-between spaces where people can coexist in equality, solidarity, and justice. She proposes a post-colonial political theology of care and practice to reframe hegemonic and fragmented identities and create new in-between spaces for dialogue and cooperation. She contends that post-colonial discourse and the praxis of in between pastoral care can disrupt and challenge hegemonic definitions of culture, identity, home, and subjectivity.

To be wounded and yet heal. How two wounded healers helped Henri Nouwen find solitude

This article explored Henri Nouwen’s well-known concept, the wounded healer. After investigating its origins, Henri Nouwen’s use of the term was examined. The article proposed that Henri Nouwen was mainly influenced by Anton Boisen and Vincent van Gogh in his use of the concept of the wounded healer. Nouwen’s interest in these persons was considered to glean how they shaped his thoughts before focusing on he used a model of pastoral analysis, the living document model to autobiographically explore his own wounds, to access them, and to offer what he learned as a means of healing for his audiences. Nouwen recognised himself as wounded and became for his readers a wounded healer. Nolte and Dreyer’s view that the wounded healer concept was a welcome corrective to prevailing models of pastoral care, and De Jong’s view that the wounded healer is a pathway to self-actualisation were used as a bridge to Nouwen’s views on personal spiritual transformation. Finally, Nouwen’s thoughts on transformation involving a movement from loneliness to solitude were investigated, showing that the outcome was a move towards a considered and deeper interaction with the world.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article contributed to scholarship in Christian spirituality by considering the work of Henri J. M. Nouwen and the sources of his concept, the wounded healer. It also considered connections with and implications for pastoral psychology and practical theology.

The unity of Christ in Cyril of Alexandria's Festal Letters

AbstractCyril of Alexandria's Festal Letters are an underutilised source of his theology. Through them one can trace the development of his thought throughout the tumultuous years of his episcopacy. In this article, I draw attention to Cyril's ‘unitive’ Christology and the way he explains the incarnation to those under his pastoral care. Cyril employs key strategies informed by strong theological convictions to describe Christ as one subject who is fully divine and human.

Disciplinary Procedures in the Early Church

The paper refers to numerous documents from the period of the early Church which give testimony to the fact that the Church was never ruled by a charismatic anarchy or boundless democracy. Nevertheless, the data concerning the arrangement of the Church, which is passed on to us through the Scriptures, specifically the New Testament, and the writings of Apostolic Fathers, is not found in the form of a systematic treatise. Rather, it is found occasionally, mostly in connection with resolving some concrete issue. It is therefore necessary to arrange these various mentions in logical accordance with one another. The text of the paper firstly analyzes the issue of charismatic authority which is, above all, described in the Acts of the Apostles, Pauline letters, and especially in the early Christian treatise, the Didache. This treatise also mentions the hierarchical duties of the bishops and deacons, which can also already be seen in the New Testament alongside the duties of apostles, prophets, teachers, evangelists and presbyters. Some of the Church offices mentioned have primarily a missionary role, others are established for the pastoral care of existing and stable Christian communities. The Church order described in the eighteenth chapter of the Gospel according to St. Matthew is chiefly addressed to these stable communities. The First Epistle of Clement, written still in the first Christian century, gives testimony to the deposing of presbyters in the Church of Corinth and the intervention of the Roman authority in this dispute. Canon Law, which gradually begun to develop in the Church, followed directly in the footsteps of these disciplinary customs, which we know from early Christian literature.

Making sense of experience: tools for collaboration with children and young people with social, emotional and mental health needs at points of school transition

ABSTRACTMany teachers, pastoral care staff, counsellors, psychologists and others from related disciplines who support children and young people’s (CYP’s) personal, social and emotional development are concerned by declining well-being and the increased demand for pastoral care and counselling for students with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs. For practitioners to meet these SEMH needs effectively requires both an understanding of them and, more importantly, how CYP themselves make meaning from them. Psychological theories, especially those applicable to exploring experiences that evoke strong emotions, are vital. This paper outlines one such theory-informed approach: a collaborative approach to SEMH assessment at times of school transition. Specifically, it examines a novel use of projective techniques (PTs), where CYP are asked to provide a free-flow response to a stimulus [Content] and then think together with the practitioner about this response [Dialogue]. Reflective accounts of the method are provided to outline how it can support CYP’s engagement in assessment; enhancement of shared insights in formulation and personalisation of interventions. These are critical case study vignettes of using this new approach in applied practice, and there is a priority need for further empirical research. Other limitations and strengths of using PTs are outlined, and implications for future developments provided. Finally, an argument is made that system level transformation may be required if the necessary support for school-based staff to make effective use of these tools is to be realised.

Chaplaincy Transitioning Covid-19 in the South African Mining Sector

Chaplaincy or pastoral care as a model of emotional, social, and spiritual support continues to be offered to both religious and non-religious communities. Although its inclusive nature appears to have diminished in recent years, it became very apparent during the Covid-19 pandemic when it became accessible to both religious and non-religious individuals. While there is extensive research highlighting the value of pastoral care during the Covid-19 crisis, little appears to have addressed its impact and character on the mining sector in general, but particularly the South African mining sector. During the Covid-19 scare in 2020, chaplains provided ongoing emotional, social and spiritual support to frontline workers in other professional fields in general, and to all workers working in the mining sector in particular. While many of the miners who benefited from this facility belonged to religious communities, some were clearly non-religious. Combining literature reviews and case study methods, this paper underscores the value of pastoral care in the mining sector, particularly its availability to South African miners who have had to isolate after testing positive for Covid-19 in 2020. In essence, this will not only underscore the presence of chaplaincy in the mining industry during Covid-19, but also explicitly define the value of inclusive chaplaincy in relation to and beyond the context of pandemics such as Covid-19.

Transform regular pastoral care into missionary work

In this article, the author offers a critical reflection on pastoral care within the parish community. In the first chapter, the authoranalyses the ambivalence of modern culture through a theological and pastoral perspective and its consequences for the Church’s pastoral dimension. The second chapter emphasises recognising the signs of the times and the importance of building a personal relationship with God as well as cooperating with others in the common mission of building the Kingdom of God. The conclusion presents some proposals and guidelines for transforming the Church in the synodal spirit. In the process of continually bringing the Christian message up to date (aggiornamento), the author highlights the importance of authenticity, fidelity to Christian truth, closeness, existential conversion and ongoing rivalry with modern man in his joys and sorrows, successes and mistakes.

Pastoral Care and Community in Late Medieval Germany Albert of Diessen's Mirror of Priests. By Deeana Copeland Klepper. Ithaca and London: Cornell University Press, 2022. xiv + 215 pp. $54.95 cloth; $35.99 e-book.

Pastoral Care and Community in Late Medieval Germany Albert of Diessen's Mirror of Priests. By Deeana Copeland Klepper. Ithaca and London: Cornell University Press, 2022. xiv + 215 pp. $54.95 cloth; $35.99 e-book.

Dinamika Kehidupan Pasien Terminal Illness Di Rumah Sakit HKBP Balige

Terminal illness is a patient's condition that has reached the chronic stage and the doctor's diagnosis states that the patient can no longer recover. In reality, many terminal illness patients try to recover through the treatment process they follow. This research aims to discover the description and lives of terminal illness patients at the HKBP Hospital Balige and the factors that influence their lives. By using descriptive type qualitative research methods, it was found that the dynamics of the lives of terminal illness patients were at a fragile stage. A weak self-condition brings feelings of sadness and fear of death. There are two factors that influence the dynamics of the lives of terminal illness patients, namely internal factors, namely the decline in body quality and external influences of support from the family environment, community and relationship with God. The impact of pastoral care on the dynamics of life of terminal illness patients is a positive impact, patients are able to express their feelings. The negative impact is that patients have not accepted the conditions for traditional treatment and rarely receive medical treatment.

Desiderio desideravi: A Prolegomena to Liturgical Formation? The Relationship between Pastoral Care and the Liturgy Itself in the Process of Formation in the Liturgy

Pope Francis’ apostolic letter Desiderio desideravi, promulgated in 2022, highlights the crux of the formation in the liturgy of the faithful. This has become especially poignant in a contemporary world, where the attribute of the symbol, stemming from a technological world, has stemmed the window into the transcendent (The double meaning of the verb "stem" is intentional). An important point is the role of formation through the liturgy itself. However, how does this formation of the liturgy through the liturgy itself have potential benefit for the faithful? Regarding the experience which the liturgy imparts to the participants, this cannot occur without the role and the dynamics of the whole person involved in the experience. This paper seeks to address the role of pastoral care and its relationship to worship and to show how said process of formation in the liturgy through the liturgy itself can yield the highest spiritual and transformative benefit.