Pastoral Caregivers Research Articles

Spirituality and family caregivers: Ethical considerations on the role as a spiritual guide

ABSTRACT In recent years, spirituality has become a key factor in the field of care and, even more precisely, in dealing with sick and dying people. Those affected find themselves in existentially threatening situations and are looking for advice, help, an ultimate meaning or simply want to cope with the situation. It is not uncommon for other individuals to provide support in these constellations. This article deals with an ethical perspective on spirituality in relation to family caregivers. In a first step, both family caregivers and the concept of spirituality are examined and placed in relation to each other. Then, in a second step, the role of these people who have taken on the care of a loved one is addressed. Consequently, it is shown that they can be assigned a task of guidance comparable but not identical to that of pastoral caregivers, insofar as they can contribute to spiritual experiences through constant presence, engagement with the person in need of care and caring interaction. In a final step, the extent to which family caregivers have good reasons to be available for the spiritual needs of the person receiving care is presented. Spirituality should be internalized as an ethically important guideline in the care of sick and dying people when this invaluable task is taken on.

Integrating pastoral care and appreciative inquiry for sex trafficking survivors: A framework for healing

Integrating appreciative inquiry (AI) and pastoral care may help address the complex issues of commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking. This article explores the benefits of incorporating AI principles into pastoral care for survivors of commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking. Commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking involve exploitation, degradation, and violence, making them complex issues. By understanding the sex trade, we can recognise that prostitution is an act of exploitation. Some scholars believe that prostitution and human trafficking are interconnected, with a focus on exploiting the poor, especially women and children. Commercial sexual exploitation can cause mental, emotional, and spiritual distress. Survivors require comprehensive aftercare to address their spiritual, self-esteem, and dignity needs. Organisational development-based AI is constructive and strength-based. Appreciative inquiry promotes positive development, community and individual strength, and resilience by re-contextualizing narratives and envisioning brighter futures. The use of AI could improve pastoral care and holistic rehabilitation. Pastoral caregivers using AI can promote reconciliation, development, and rehabilitation. Using strengths-based strategies, pastoral care practitioners can help survivors regain agency and purpose. Survivors receive spiritual support through the Appreciative Way, which combines contemplative spirituality and inquiry. Narrative exploration can help trauma survivors envision a bright future based on love and resilience. This study suggests that AI principles may benefit pastoral care recipients who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking. Pastoral caregivers can help survivors regain dignity, calling, and well-being by implementing an appreciative healing approach.Contribution: The article sheds light on the dehumanising consequences of sex trafficking on vulnerable populations in South Africa, particularly women and children. This article aims to explain how AI concepts can be applied to Practical Theology. Specifically, this article will demonstrate how the Appreciative Way can be utilised in pastoral care for healing from sex trafficking trauma.

Towards Effective Pastoral Caregiving within Contemporary Post-Colonial Praxis in Africa: A Discernment of Care Needs for ‘Now’ and ‘Intervention’ Propositions

Post-colonial Africa and its attendant challenges, including disillusionment during democratic dispensation and racial tensions among black and white people, constitute a problem that calls for interventions from all social actors. Theology, especially pastoral care, is challenged to broaden its vision and focus on health, healing, and human flourishing by adopting a public dimension. Thus, public pastoral care can emerge as a critical approach through which to make a meaningful contribution to fostering holistic personal care. This assumption prompts an examination of the place and role of pastoral care as a science and art of fostering social health and well-being. Public pastoral care practices are used to encourage, promote, and foster ‘coexistence’ and ‘being with’ other people in the same geographical spaces where tension and disillusionment exist. Using the South African lens, this article aims to pastorally address challenges emerging from post-colonial African public contexts by developing a public pastoral care approach. Pastoral care principles of empowerment care, prevention care, conversational care, and care by being with the other in shared spaces of coexistence are proposed.

Dietary diversity among children aged 6-59 months from settled pastoral communities in Marsabit County, Kenya

Settlement among pastoralists is expected to facilitate access to social amenities. However, information on its impact on dietary changes and undernutrition under five children is limited. This study aimed to determine dietary diversity among children aged 6-59 months in settled pastoral households. In a cross sectional survey, 394 households with index child were randomly sampled using multistage technique. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect information on population characteristics and dietary diversity. A dietary diversity score and minimum dietary diversity of the children were then calculated by summing the number of food groups from 0 to 7 eaten by the child 24 hours from the previous day. Categorical data was presented as proportions, while continuous variables mean ± standard error. Chi-square and analysis of variance were used to establish population differences. Linear regression was used to assess the relationship between population characteristics and dietary diversity. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between food groups and child nutritional status. Results showed that 51.5% of children never met minimum dietary diversity. Cereals, roots and tubers were the most frequently consumed food group at 97%. Distance to market (P<0.05), household head education (p<0.05), caregiver occupation (p<0.05) and income were associated with dietary diversity. Eating legumes (OR= 0.50, 95% C.I (0.30, 0.85); p = 0.010) and vitamin A rich fruits and vegetables (OR= 0.50, 95% C.I (0.30, 0.85); p = 0.010) showed reduced odds of stunting while dairy products reduced the risk of a child becoming underweight [AOR=.2.09, 95% C.I (1.16 - 3.79); p = 0.015]. Overall, the findings highlight significant gaps in meeting dietary diversity recommendations among children in settled pastoral areas. Household head and caregiver attributes were identified as key influencing factors. It is recommended that county governments in northern Kenya promote optimal complementary feeding guidelines among settled pastoral caregivers to improve child nutrition. Key words: Pastoralists, children, under-five, dietary diversity, stunting, wasting, underweight, northern Kenya

Metaverse as challenge to homo religionis. Diachronic thinking in theory formation for pastoral caregiving to netizens

Metaverse as challenge to homo religionis. Diachronic thinking in theory formation for pastoral caregiving to netizens

Teachers as curriculum leaders. What does this mean to school principals?

School leadership and accountability are usually the responsibilities of principals. Principals are expected to lead and manage in matters such as instructions, finance, staff development and community engagement. This solo leadership model is challenge by increasing pressure for high student achievement. The advent of teacher leadership presents teachers as valuable contributors in curriculum matters. Principals’ understanding of teachers as curriculum leaders (TCL) is important if teachers are to provide the much-needed assistance. The current research adopted a multiple-site case study design to explore principals’ understanding of the concept of TCL in schools. Eight participants were purposefully selected; open-ended, semi structured interview guides were piloted prior to data collection. Observation of school meetings provided additional data. The data were thematically analysed and anchored on Grant’s model of teacher leadership. The findings reveal that, to school principals, TCL means teachers performing the roles of curriculum leaders and managers, decision makers, designers of learning programmes and materials, facilitators, assessors, lifelong learners, models, and pastoral caregivers. The findings further express the frustration of principals on the exclusion of teachers from curriculum decision making at the macro and meso levels. The findings are relevant in the advocacy of distributed leadership as they provide practical reasons for principals to create opportunities for teachers to lead in curriculum matters.

Determinants of undernutrition among settled pastoralists' children aged 6-59 months in Kenya.

The transition from nomadism to sedentary lifestyle has introduced changes in diets and undernutrition is endemic among settled pastoral households. This study aimed to investigate the underlying factors affecting stunting, underweight, and wasting of children aged 6-59 months in Marsabit County, Kenya. A cross-sectional household survey was conducted in six wards capturing pastoral, agro-pastoral, and urban livelihood practices. Using multistage sampling method, 394 children aged 6-59 months participated with written consent from the caregivers. A pretested questionnaire and anthropometric measures were used during data collection. Population characteristics were summarized into means and proportions, while chi-square and analysis of variance were used to evaluate associations between variables. Backward logistic regressions were used to explore predictors of stunting, underweight, and wasting, respectively. The results showed that the mean Height for Age Z-score, Weight for Age Z-score, and Weight for Height Z-score were -1.51, 1.54, and 1.02, respectively. The prevalence of stunting, underweight, and wasting was 38.1%, 23.0%, and 18.5%, respectively. The age of child, source of drinking water, and waste disposal were some of the main factors influencing stunting among children. In conclusion, the prevalence of undernutrition was high compared to the World Health Organization recommended cutoffs. Water sources hygiene, and caregiver's income were some of the main predictors of undernutrition among children. Development agencies need to focus on the supply of potable water, access to toilet facilities, in addition to nutrition education on hygienic complementary feeding practices among pastoral caregivers.

Caring for–Caring about: Negotiations of Values in Pastoral Care

The term “care” in pastoral care means caring for others. Yet those who care for others in pastoral conversations can also be defined existentially as people who care about the world, that is, people who hold values. This article explores how caring for and caring about commence in pastoral practice, with special attention paid to conflicts of values in pastoral conversations. The article proposes a typology of subjects for value conflicts in pastoral care, and it proposes a set of strategies for navigating those conflicts. We base both proposals on an analysis of German and Norwegian verbatims, i.e., protocols of pastoral caregivers’ memories of pastoral care encounters. These verbatims highlight that while pastoral caregivers and care seekers have different roles and obligations in pastoral care, an existential encounter occurs which has its own potentials and pitfalls. Thereby, we draw attention to the necessary negotiations of values that transpire in pastoral conversations in postsecular societies.

‘Pastoral and ecclesial madness’ Facing the failure of ‘democratism’ within the current civil turmoil in South Africa

‘Pastoral and ecclesial madness’ Facing the failure of ‘democratism’ within the current civil turmoil in South Africa

Navigating Interreligious Differences in Spiritual/Pastoral Care: An Empirical Study on Turkish Muslim and German Christian Spiritual/Pastoral Caregivers

As an outgrowth of globalization, religious globalization has significantly transformed the religious landscape worldwide. Contemporary societies exhibit religious pluralism, posing challenges for services such as spiritual or pastoral care. This study aimed to investigate how pastoral/spiritual caregivers of divergent cultural and religious backgrounds navigate religious diversity and how their religious location influences their inter-religious relations. Data were gathered through a standardized open-ended interview protocol. The study sample consisted of German Christian pastoral caregivers and Turkish Muslim spiritual caregivers from Germany and Turkey, respectively (N = 67). Overall, the entire sample expressed a generally positive attitude towards providing spiritual/pastoral care (S/PC) to individuals of other religious affiliations. German participants emphasized a human-centered approach towards individuals from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds, whereas Turkish participants placed greater emphasis on the qualifications of the caregiver. Turkish participants exhibited less exposure to other cultures/religions compared to their German counterparts, yet both subsamples responded positively to requests for care from individuals of different faiths. Both subsamples adhered to standard procedures during S/PC visits. German participants were more inclined to incorporate elements from other religions/cultures into their S/PC work compared to Turkish participants. The majority of participants regarded their respective institutions (Church/Diyanet) as responsible for addressing the spiritual needs of others. However, the German subsample displayed greater reluctance towards the employment of pastoral caregivers from different religious backgrounds by their institution, as opposed to the Turkish subsample.

PRAXIS OF PASTORAL CARE TO TEENAGERS IN THE NIGERIAN CONTEXT

Pastoral care is the spiritual and morally sustaining concern of the pastors for their flock, of which teenagers are inclusive. Every teenager needs the full attention of the pastoral caregiver in the area of healing, sustaining, guiding, educating, nurturing and reconciling to God. The paper examined how pastoral caregivers can comprehend the peculiarities of teenagers in Nigeria to minister accurately and adequately to them. The findings of the study revealed that there is a wide generational gap that often causes a problem between adults and teenagers. It also revealed that teenagers have a hardened lifestyle when their survival needs are deficient or are neglected due to parental or societal challenges that negatively affect them. The paper recommends that pastoral caregivers familiarize themselves with the peculiarities of teenagers, especially in Nigeria, and also get a proper understanding and adequate deployment of the pastoral care functions to minister effectively to teenagers in this contemporary time.

Restorative Justice and Pastoral Care: Shared Principles and Practices

ABSTRACT This article proposes that there is significant overlap between pastoral care as a theory and practice and restorative justice as a theory and practice. It provides an introduction to the principles of restorative justice as well as an analysis of the theoretical intersections between the two fields. Finally, the article offers suggestions for how pastoral caregivers might integrate restorative justice into their work.

Diagnosis in clinical pastoral counselling

The article investigates the feasibility of the sanctuary model as a possible theological anthropological framework for diagnostic and treatment purposes in clinical pastoral practice. It is argued that the wilderness tabernacle matched the criteria for qualifying as a prototype sanctuary. The building-sanctuary is viewed as a metaphorical “body” for God’s being present in, and daily engagement with, human beings throughout all life trajectories and painful events. The notion of a spirituality of sanctuary is analogously linked with similar concepts in the human body-sanctuary (soulful embodiment) in accordance with Paul’s sanctuary-related anthropological terminology. Within the framework of sanctuary thinking and the founding of a theological anthropology, indicators for the assessment of a Christian spiritual praxis in clinical environments have been derived, suitable for diagnostic assessments and treatment. It is argued that the identification of possible directives for making a spiritual assessment of a person’s state of well-being (wholeness), could provide a broader platform from which patients can describe and interpret their responses to God within the therapeutic process of pastoral caregiving. In this regard, the praxis of a clinical approach is in fact a prolongation of wisdom counselling within the parameters of the discipline of cura animarum.

Psychological Well-Being and Religiosity / Spirituality of Pastoral Caregivers in a Time of Crisis

Psychological Well-Being and Religiosity / Spirituality of Pastoral Caregivers in a Time of Crisis

Suicide Prevention Strategies in Nigeria: Exploring Religious Roles, Insights, and Challenges

Suicide is a pressing issue in Nigeria, often linked to the stigmatisation of mental health rooted in supernatural beliefs. Revealing one’s mental health status is an invitation stigma, which discourages disclosure. The study of the problem of suicide has been reported in various academic publications that deal with the driving factors or the aftermath of suicide incidents in the country. Pastoral caregivers have been shown to play a crucial role in addressing this multifaceted problem. However, some clergy and religious caregivers lack knowledge about mental health, and healthcare providers may have negative attitudes. This conceptual review analyses the role of religion in suicide prevention, focusing on existing research in Nigeria. It examines different religious perspectives on suicide, recognising that acceptance varies within religious contexts. Chaplains and religious healthcare practitioners provide pastoral care through hospital visits, offering support, encouragement, and prayer. This paper advocates for suicide awareness in pastoral care, emphasising the importance of mental health promotion in religious communities. Recognising the challenges of identifying suicidal signs, the emotional impact, and the limited training of religious leaders, this paper concludes by highlighting the complexity of suicide prevention in religious settings. Despite the barriers, the need for interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing mental health and the importance of perseverance in prevention efforts are emphasised.

Unveiling the Veil of Silence: Culture, Secrecy, and Pastoral Care in Botswana's Naomi/Laban Showers

Botswana's cherished cultural tradition, the Naomi/Laban showers, conceals a pervasive culture of silence concerning family matters, secrecy, and gender roles. Employing qualitative research methods like interviews, participant observations, and document analysis, this study explores the multifaceted impact of this culture of silence. It delves into the cultural and symbolic significance of draping a white shawl or blanket during these showers, signifying a vow of silence. Additionally, it investigates how this culture of silence shapes family dynamics, communication, and gender roles within Botswana's socio-cultural context. The role of pastoral caregivers and the Christian church in navigating this silence and providing support is also examined. Balancing the preservation of cultural traditions with addressing contemporary challenges is a central theme. This research aims to uncover pastoral care strategies that encourage healthy communication, gender equality, and family unity while respecting cultural norms. It seeks to deepen our understanding of the intricate relationship between culture, secrecy, and pastoral care during Naomi/Laban showers. Keywords: Culture of Silence, Naomi/Laban Showers, Pastoral Care, Gender Roles, Family Communication

QUARTER LIFE CRISIS DARI SUDUT PANDANG TEOLOGI BIBLIKA MATIUS 6:25-34

At the age of 18-29, humans will face a quarter-life crisis, which is a phase of crisis during the transition to early adulthood. During this period, individuals may experience a loss of confidence in their future life. The quarter-life crisis requires serious attention from pastoral caregivers. This research aims to discover the principles of Biblical Theology in Matthew 6:25-34 to overcome the quarter-life crisis. Using the Pastoral Thematic method, this article finds that there are principles that can be applied in dealing with the quarter-life crisis. There are four reasons underlying these findings: Firstly, God as the center of devotion, creator, sustainer, and provider. Secondly, Anthropology that states the value of human life before God and humans' dependence on God's provision. Thirdly, Faith formed from understanding how much God loves humans and how humans live under God's provision. Fourthly, the Kingdom of God, which sets the standard for the lives of believers, where God is the King who will fulfill all the needs of His subjects. These principles address the tensions faced by early adults when confronting the quarter-life crisis.

Evil, Constructed: A Salient Part of an Emerging Spiritual Veteran Identity.

This article investigated constructions of evil among deployed Swedish veterans. Six cases were used to demonstrate common themes of these constructions: humans are capable of everything; anyone can be violated, even killed; evil and cruelty comes in many forms; coldness/cynicism; exhausting to witness suffering and pain; and existential rumination. The impact of these can affect a veteran's identity and their notions of self. However, processing encounters with evil is seen, in some Christian perspectives, as an essential prerequisite for spiritual growth, and this might be potentially important to supporting the emergence of spiritual veteran identities. A pastoral care giver or military chaplain can serve as an existential conversation partner who can assist veterans when approaching such experiences and its potential impact. This may be especially fertile in secular contexts, where pastoral wisdom and ontological approaches can be hard to find in the everyday lives of veterans.

Women and trauma: The impact of Boko Haram insurgency in Michika Adamawa state, Nigeria

This study aimed to find out the impact of the Boko Haran Insurgency on women survivors in Michika Adamawa state, Nigeria. Boko Haram insurgency has caused heaps of havoc and negative impacts on Nigerian societies, and most especially in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa state, many lives were lost, and properties were destroyed. The insurgents left many survivors with scars on their minds and traumatised. Many women have become widows. They were sexually abused, raped, oppressed, displaced, forced into marriage, and forced to accept other religions; some even witnessed the assassinations of their husbands and were traumatised. This paper adopts both narrative and library sources through the use of interviews and focus Group Discussions. This study has investigated and observed the severe impact of Boko Haram activity's negative effects on women. The study hypothesises that holistic trauma counselling is an effective therapy that will cure the soul and provide relief to the mind of the traumatised. The study finds out that many women have experienced different forms of trauma. The study concludes that many women and girls in our culture may appear to be fine on the surface. Still, they silently suffer from melancholy, tension, and hopelessness due to their encounters with terrorists. Pastoral caregivers should work with therapists from diverse areas to establish a strong trauma healing team capable of dealing with all trauma cases. This paper recommends that religious leaders have a greater role than anyone else in providing comfort, recovery, empowerment, and fairness for the survivors.

Black women’s bodies as sacrificial lambs at the altar

The youth in South Africa are subject to unemployment and the pressure to fit into society. The unemployment rate in South Africa is high; therefore, some find themselves desperate for employment and often find themselves hoping and praying for a miracle; hence, the number of churches in South Africa is increasing. People go to church to be prayed for by ministers in a hope to better their lives and that of their families. Some of these young South Africans became victims of sexual harassment, rape and gender-based violence (GBV) at the hands of their pastors. The aim of this article was to challenge the church in identifying ways to break the cycle of perpetrators among pastors and help find the role pastoral counsellors can play regarding both victims and offenders to prevent history from repeating itself. Domestic violence and abuse in South Africa have been investigated by various disciplines. One of the most difficult realities for the church is the existence of clergy who abuse their female congregants. The article will create an awareness of violence against black women at the temple of black churches which is vindicated by Christian faith as miracle and healing. The violence against black women at the temple of the churches is patriarchal violence as male clergy sacrifice them in the name of faith using the bible. Some scholars of Black theology of liberation (BTL) argue that Elmina Castle had a chapel where women trading took place. Elmina Castle had a dungeon that kept black women who were waiting to be sold to a trade master. This article also exposed patriarchal violence that has been engraved on black women using the Bible by male clergy and connected Elmina Castle to Bishops Israel Makamu and Stephen Bafana Zondo to see the position of black women in these temples. Black theology of liberation was used to expose oppression of black women, by black men, in black churches.Contribution: This article aimed to challenge pastoral care givers to remain ethical during pastoral care and counselling to those in need, especially young women. This study was a literature review study.