Spiritual Counselling Research Articles

Reconsidering the Impact of the All Scotland Crusade of 1955 upon Children and Young People

Billy Graham led the All Scotland Crusade in Glasgow for six weeks between March and April 1955. 830,670 people attended the events he hosted at the Kelvin Hall, Ibrox and Hampden stadiums, while 19,835 of them responded to his altar call and became inquirers. A significant proportion were children and young people. This paper will examine the immediate, medium-term and long-term effects of the crusade upon this group of people. It will contend maternal influence encouraged a significant number of children and young people to respond to Graham’s altar call, emotion often accompanied their decisions, and many of them underwent an evangelical conversion experience. It will claim many became active participants in the life of their local churches where they received pastoral care and spiritual counselling. It will argue some of them found a vocation in full time Christian ministry and mission, and spent their lives serving the church. Above all, this paper will establish how the lives of several thousands of children and young people were radically transformed through their experience of the All Scotland Crusade in 1955.

EFFECT OF SPIRITUAL INTERVENTION ON STRESS MANAGEMENT AMONG STUDENT MOTHERS IN KENYAN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KENYA: A CASE OF BUNGOMA COUNTY, KENYA

Internationally, teenage pregnancy has been recognized as a major pertinent issue. Lack of adequate family support affects the emotional well-being of the pregnant student mother as well as the unborn and/or the newborn baby. Furthermore, student motherhood hinders the chance of the student mother from completing her studies. In Kenya, teenage pregnancy thwarts achievements in the education of the girl child. The objective of this study was to establish the effect of spiritual intervention on stress management among student mothers in public secondary schools in Kimilili Sub-County, Bungoma County, Kenya. This study was guided by William Glasser’s Psychological Reality Theory on Maladaptive Behaviour. The study employed a cross-sectional research design. The target population was 5,069 Form three and Form four girls from public secondary schools in Kimilili Sub-County, Bungoma County, Kenya. The study also targeted 23 school Guidance and Counselling teachers as well as 23 school Chaplains. The sample size table proposed by Krejcie & Morgan, 1970 was used to obtain 381 female students from girls’ schools as well as mixed schools, 19 Guidance and Counselling teachers and 19 School Chaplains. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used to gather qualitative and quantitative data. The instruments used to collect data were piloted with the intention of establishing their validity and reliability using a Cronbach alpha value greater than 0.7, which is an indication of higher reliability. SPSS package version 23 was used to analyse both descriptive and inferential statistics. Presentations were done in frequencies and percentage tables. Descriptive data were analyzed using means, percentages, and standard deviations. Inferential data were analyzed using Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient (r). Spiritual counselling had a positive and significant effect on stress management (r=0.836, p<0.000). The study concluded that spiritual intervention has a significant effect on stress management among student mothers in public secondary schools in Kimilili sub-county, Bungoma County, Kenya. Consequently, this study recommends that schools should prioritize and enhance consistent pastoral support for student mothers. Also, there is a need for comprehensive sex education from parents, guidance and counselling teachers, school and religious leaders. Further, the study recommends that future studies be conducted on specific counselling approaches that prove most effective in managing stress among student mothers. Also, there is a need to consider further studies on factors contributing to teenage pregnancies among students in the region.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0890/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Validity and Reliability of the Spiritual Counselling Intervention Module (MIKS)

Validity and Reliability of the Spiritual Counselling Intervention Module (MIKS)

Spiritual interventions: Improving the lives of colorectal cancer survivors-A systematic literature review.

To systematically review the types of spiritual interventions available for colorectal cancer survivors and determine if they improve their lives. Systematic review. A thorough literature search was conducted in July 2023 using PRIMO, PubMed/Medline, Cochrane, CINAHL, Scopus, and EMBASE. As an extension of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) checklist, the Synthesis Without Meta-Analysis reporting guideline was employed. A narrative synthesis was used to analyse the data. Thirty-five articles were analysed for this study. The findings suggest that psychoeducational intervention, cognitive behavioural therapy intervention, mindfulness intervention, social intervention, and spiritual counselling improved CRC survivor's coping skills, boosted self-esteem, lessened anxiety, instilled hope, enhanced daily functioning, improved survival rates, improved neurological functional status and quality of life (QoL). There is proof that spiritual interventions help CRC patients and improve their QoL. It has been discovered that spiritual intervention is helpful in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of CRC conditions. CRC survivors may have impairments in their physical ability and daily functioning as a result of many symptoms, such as pain, bowel dysfunction, and exhaustion. Furthermore, individuals may encounter difficulties in several aspects of their psychological, emotional, social, and role functioning due to the presence of dread symptoms. Therefore, these study will help CRC survivors To implement spiritual interventions in the management of their long-term care. To cultivate problem-solving abilities, foster self-assurance, and enhance self-awareness. To alleviate symptoms, enhance everyday functioning, and improve QoL. No financial incentives were used to compensate patients or members of the public for this review.

Implementing spiritual care education into the teaching of palliative medicine: an outcome evaluation

BackgroundThe concept of “total pain” plays an important role in palliative care; it means that pain is not solely experienced on a physical level, but also within a psychological, social and spiritual dimension. Understanding what spirituality entails, however, is a challenge for health care professionals, as is screening for the spiritual needs of patients.ObjectiveThis is a novel, interprofessional approach in teaching undergraduate medical students about spiritual care in the format of a seminar. The aim of this study is to assess if an increase in knowledge about spiritual care in the clinical context is achievable with this format.MethodsIn a mandatory seminar within the palliative care curriculum at our university, both a physician and a hospital chaplain teach strategies in symptom control from different perspectives (somatic domain – spiritual domain). For evaluation purposes of the content taught on the spiritual domain, we conducted a questionnaire consisting of two parts: specific outcome evaluation making use of the comparative self-assessment (CSA) gain and overall perception of the seminar using Likert scale.ResultsIn total, 52 students participated. Regarding specific outcome evaluation, the greatest gain was achieved in the ability to define total pain (84.8%) and in realizing its relevance in clinical settings (77.4%). The lowest, but still fairly high improvement was achieved in the ability to identify patients who might benefit from spiritual counselling (60.9%). The learning benefits were all significant as confirmed by confidence intervals. Overall, students were satisfied with the structure of the seminar. The content was delivered clearly and comprehensibly reaching a mean score of 4.3 on Likert scale (4 = agree). The content was perceived as overall relevant to the later work in medicine (mean 4.3). Most students do not opt for a seminar solely revolving around spiritual care (mean 2.6).ConclusionsWe conclude that implementing spiritual care education following an interprofessional approach into existing medical curricula, e.g. palliative medicine, is feasible and well perceived among medical students. Students do not wish for a seminar which solely revolves around spiritual care but prefer a close link to clinical practice and strategies.

The effect of a spiritual intelligence‐based counselling programme on suicidal ideation and self‐concept among retirement

AbstractBackgroundSpiritual counselling techniques can offer individuals a sense of new meaning and a way to cope with difficulties. However, no prior study has specifically examined the effectiveness of a spiritual intelligence counselling programme on suicidal ideation and self‐concept among retired individuals.AimsThis study aimed to evaluate how a new counselling programme focusing on spiritual intelligence helps retired individuals deal with suicidal ideation and self‐concept.Materials and MethodsA total of 40 retired individuals were split into two groups: one that received the counselling programme (experimental group = 20) and one that did not (control group = 20) based on their initial scores of suicidal ideation and self‐concept scales. The experimental group went through a 10‐session counselling programme, meeting for 90 min each week from April to June 2023.ResultsBased on means, standard deviations and analysis of variance, results found significant differences in scores between those who underwent the counselling programme and those who did not. The experimental group revealed a decrease in suicidal ideation and an improvement in self‐concept after completing the counselling programme. Males seemed to benefit more from the spiritual intelligence‐based counselling programme than females in reducing suicidal ideation. There was no difference between males and females regarding self‐concept.DiscussionThe spiritual counselling programme improves self‐concept and reduces suicidal ideation among retired individuals.ConclusionThe results suggest that the spiritual intelligence‐based counselling programme shows promise in addressing mental health issues among retired individuals.

DVASINIO IR PSICHOLOGINIO KONSULTAVIMO SĄSAJOS BEI SKIRTUMAI

When looking at spiritual and psychological counselling, the process, characteristics and problems, and the needs of the people involved in counselling, it can be seen that both of these non-material forms of assistance have a number of similarities, and also essential differences. This is to be expected, as both forms of assistance are categorised and treated as types of counselling. It is worth noting that in one form of counselling the focus is more on spiritual matters, while in the other the focus is on addressing a person’s psychological issues. A psychologist plays the role of a mirror for the individual, linking their well-being to active psychological efforts to help themselves, while a spiritual counsellor does not limit their activities solely to psychology and its techniques and knowledge, but seeks strength in the spiritual realm. By understanding the differences and similarities in the application of assistance methods, those seeking help can choose and seek the most appropriate form of assistance. Therefore, this article focuses on revealing the differences and points in common between spiritual counselling and psychological counselling, as ways to provide assistance to those in need. Although practitioners of counselling use the same or similar professional counselling skills, it is also important to note the fundamental differences, and to identify the values that practitioners of both spiritual and psychological counselling adhere to. In order to justify the distinctiveness and identity of spiritual and psychological counselling, the article aims to reveal the essence, the meaning, the differences, and the points in common between these forms of assistance.

Spiritual Intervention to Improve Psychological Wellbeing on Cancer Patient: A Scoping Review

Cancer occurs due to the addition of mass in body cells that can spread and cause death. The problems arising from cancer are physical, psychological, and spiritual problems. Spiritual intervention is essential and valuable as one of the treatment efforts in dealing with issues caused by cancer. However, there are obstacles where nurses still need to be exposed to much information about spiritual intervention. The purpose of this study was to obtain an overview of spiritual intervention in cancer patients. This study uses the Scoping Review method. Literature review through Ebsco, Pubmed, Science Direct, and Sage Journals databases. The keywords used in English are Cancer, Spiritual intervention,” AND “Spiritual needs OR spiritual experience OR spirituality”. The criteria for articles in this study are full text, free access, randomized control trial or quasi-experiment research design, English language, population and samples of cancer patients, and the publication period of the last ten years (2013-2022). Found ten articles with different spiritual interventions on cancer patients. Two papers with mindfulness intervention, an article with a spiritual counselling intervention, 3 with spiritual intervention, 2 with spiritual therapy intervention, and 2 with spiritual care intervention. Five spiritual interventions for cancer patients can overcome problems caused by cancer, namely mindfulness, spiritual counselling, spiritual intervention, spiritual therapy, and spiritual care. Spiritual counselling is a very effective intervention because it is carried out intensively and comprehensively to maximize the psychological well-being of cancer patients.

DVASINIS KONSULTAVIMAS MODERNIOJE VISUOMENĖJE. KAS TAI?

Humanity benefits from the achievements of modern technology, but man cannot avoid pain, long-term suffering, and spiritual problems. In modern society, as in all eras, man still raises fundamental questions of being: What is the meaning of life? What is spirituality? How to solve spiritual problems? Therefore, spiritual counselling or assistance is receiving more and more attention. Its needs and benefits are undoubtedly noticeable, because spiritual assistance tries to respond to the spiritual needs of people today, and to be a landmark in spreading spiritual well-being. Although spiritual counselling in Lithuania is still searching for explicit boundaries of function and definition, it is becoming quite clear that it is not the same as psychological counselling. Of course, spiritual counselling is not so far from psychological counselling, as they both have some features in common. However, the priority of a spiritual counsellor is existential questions and the search for answers to queries about the meaning of life, suffering, death, love, etc. Spiritual counselling tries to approach a person through the prism of faith. A unique element in spiritual counselling is not the methods used by the counsellors, but their personality, their world-view, faith, values, and attitude towards other people. Therefore, in order to substantiate the identity and importance of spiritual counselling, this article aims to reveal the essence and meaning of spiritual counselling.

The Qualifications that Must be Found in a Staff to Provide Spiritual Counselling and Guidance in Nursing Houses

Yaşlılık döneminde manevi danışmanlık ve rehberlik hizmetleri eğitim politikası, yeterlilik ölçütleri, sınırları ve kapsamı henüz tam olarak belirlenmemiş bir alandır. Yaşlılığını huzurevlerinde geçiren bireyler için manevi danışmanlık ve rehberlik hizmetlerinin uygulanmasında istendik sonuçlar elde edilebilmesi için, konunun farklı yönlerini ele alan araştırmalar yapılması gerekmektedir. Huzurevleri, ülkemizde yaşayan 60 yaş üstü bireylere bakım ve rehabilitasyon hizmetleri veren kuruluşlardır. Burada kalan yaşlılar hayatlarının son deminde olmalarının psikolojisi ile zaman zaman manevi ve psikolojik desteğe ihtiyaç duymaktadırlar. Buna yol açan nedenlerden bazıları şunlardır: Ölüm korkusu, yıpranma, güç kaybı, çeşitli hastalıkların çoğalması, terk edilmişlik duygusu, sevgi-saygı gereksinimlerinin doyurulmaması, ilgisizlik, toplumdan soyutlanma, ekonomik düşüş ve geleceğe dair ümitsizlik. Hem yaşlılık döneminin hassas bir dönem olması hem de fiziksel ve ruhsal anlamda çöküş yaşayan bu kimselere yapıcı ve verimli bir destek sağlanabilmesi için, huzurevlerinde kalan bireylere bu hizmeti sunacak olan görevlilerin bir takım niteliklerle donatılması gerekmektedir. Bu bağlamda çalışmanın amacı, huzurevlerinde manevi danışmanlık ve rehberlik hizmeti verecek olan Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı personelinde bulunması gereken vasıfların incelenmesidir. Söz konusu amaca binaen çalışmada literatür taraması yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Konuyla ilgili yapılan araştırmalar ve elde edilen bilgiler neticesinde huzurevlerinde manevi danışmanlık yapacak olan personelin görevlerini daha doğru, tutarlı ve nitelikli bir şekilde yürütebilmesi için şu vasıflara sahip olması gerektiği tespit edilmiştir: İlahiyat bilimlerine hakim olma, manevi danışmanlık ve rehberlik faaliyetlerini yürütebilecek bilgi ve donanıma sahip olma, yaşlılık döneminin özelliklerini ve sorunlarını bilme ve son olarak, insani ilişkilerini sevgi ve empati üzerine kurma.

TERAPI SPIRITUAL TERHADAP KECEMASAN DAN DEPRESI PADA PASIEN HEMODIALISIS : LITERATUR REVIEW

In the end-stage renal disease of CKD, the patients should be hemodialysis to stabilize the state of the kidney function. Increased psychological problems such as anxiety and depression resulting from CKD complications and the consequences of hemodialysis programs performed on patients. It is important for nurses to provide psychological support to patients. The application of complementary therapies such as spiritual therapy is essential. The purpose of this study was to explore various forms of spiritual therapy in hemodialysis for anxiety and depression. This study used electronic database were identified from MEDLINE, CINAHL, Proquest, and GARUDA. The criteria of the paper in this study are : articles published at 2012 – 2020, full text, the article using English or Bahasa Indonesia, and the method of study using experimental study. We extracted 6 intervention studies and critical analyzes used PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome) method. After applying spiritual therapy, several studies resulted in average scores of anxiety and depression that decreased in the intervention group, including Self Paced Therapy, Prayer, Dhikr, Murotal Holy Quran and Spiritual Counseling. In addition, this therapy also has a positive impact on some aspects of the patient's life include the physical and social relationships. Based on the analysis of the results some studies on CKD patients with hemodialysis therapy for anxiety and depression experienced the results obtained that spiritual therapy like include self-paced, prayer and dhikr therapy, and spiritual counselling can decrease anxiety and depression.

An Empirical Study on the Nature of the Verbal Responses of Humanist Chaplains

There has been a limited amount of empirical research conducted in the past on how chaplains, and humanist chaplains in particular, actually interact with their clients during conversations as a part of spiritual care and counselling. The aim of the current study was to gain insight into the extent to which the verbal responses of humanist chaplains corresponded to Rogers’ nondirective approach during conversations with clients. Rogers’ approach has been commonly embraced since the beginning of the professionalization of humanist chaplains in the Netherlands. The study focused on humanist chaplains working at a general hospital in the Netherlands. Ten humanist chaplains took part in the study by audio recording their conversations with clients. The audio recordings were transcribed and analysed, and the verbal responses of humanist chaplains were compared to Rogers’ approach. Subsequently, the verbal responses were analysed via conversation analysis, which also provided insight into how the humanist chaplains actually conversed with clients. Most of the verbal responses (73%) were consistent with Rogers’ nondirective approach, though the ways in which some of the verbal responses were expressed were different; they were more compassionate and comforting. The remaining 27% of the verbal responses were directive and did not correspond to Rogers’ approach. The study shows that, compared to Rogers’ nondirective approach, the approach of the humanist chaplains was more direct and comforting.

553 - A promising Dutch initiative for highly intelligent seniors affected by dementia: a qualitative evaluation of Studiegroepen day time activities in long term care

Background:Long term care organisations in the Netherlands organize day time activities for people with dementia who receive care at home to prevent burden of informal caregivers. Clients with dementia that are characterised as highly educated and/or highly intelligent often refuse to participate in such activities. Boredom, a lack of association with and unwillingness to mix with other participants are often reported. In 2006, the spiritual counselling department of long term care organisation Respect, The Hague, started with Studiegroepen (pronounced ‘studee-groo-pen’, study groups). This initiative provides adjusted leisure activities and group conversations about present-day topics and shared life experiences.Existential philosophical themes form the basis for discussions. Although Studiegroepen seems very successful and there are long waiting lists, the program is barely studied and is unknown in other organisations.Aims:(1) to explore the opinions of the participants, their informal caregivers (mainly partners), and spiritual counsellors about Studiegroepen and the way the program meets the participants needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness (Self Determination Theory); (2) for the development of implementation material for other organisations, the aim was to reveal specific components of the program and to explore their barriers and facilitators.Results:A thematic analysis in Atlas.ti of semi-structured interviews with 15 clients, eight informal caregivers and four spiritual counsellors revealed extremely positive evaluations. There were strong indications that the program meets clients’ needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness. A striking example of a positive evaluation was a cancellation of relocation of a client-partner couple due to the lack of Studiegroepen in that city. Results suggest positive effects on mood, and quality of life. Several informal caregivers perceived a delay in dementia progression. The research revealed specific program components and barriers and facilitators to implement them.Conclusions:Studiegroepen is a very positively evaluated initiative for highly educated and/or highly intelligent long time care clients with dementia living at home. This initiative should be systematically studied and described, while implementation material needs to be developed. This may help to introduce the program in other organisations and to further explore effects on outcomes in participants, and in informal caregivers.

Support for and involvement of family caregivers in Comprehensive Cancer Center - an Assessment of the Palliative Care Working Group within the network of Comprehensive Cancer Center funded by the German Cancer Aid

ZusammenfassungEinleitung Eine leitliniengerechte onkologische Versorgung umfasst nicht nur die frühzeitige palliativmedizinische Mitbetreuung unheilbar erkrankter Patienten, sondern auch die Mitbetreuung ihrer Angehörigen. Untersuchungen zur Umsetzung im klinischen Alltag in Deutschland fehlen. Methoden Die AG Palliativmedizin im Netzwerk der von der Deutschen Krebshilfe geförderten Onkologischen Spitzenzentren (CCC) führte mit einem selbstgestalteten Fragebogen eine systematische Erfassung aller Angebote in den CCC/in der spezialisierten Palliativversorgung (SPV) im CCC/lokal außerhalb des CCC an allen Standorten durch. Ergebnisse Gut etabliert in den 17 CCC/in der SPV sind die psychoonkologische (100 %/94 %), sozialrechtliche (94 %/100 %) und seelsorgerische Beratung der Angehörigen (je 94 %) sowie Angebote für Kinder erkrankter Eltern (88 %/100 %) und Informationsmaterialien (je 88 %). Häufiger als im restlichen CCC werden in der SPV pflegerische Schulungen (77 %/94 %) und Familienkonferenzen (59 %/88 %) durchgeführt. SOPs sind mit 23 %/18 % selten etabliert, ebenso wie Screenings der Angehörigenbedürfnisse (0/24 %). Trauer- und Selbsthilfegruppen sind mit je 82 % häufiger außerhalb der CCC verfügbar. Die psychoonkologische/sozialrechtliche Beratung und Angebote für Kinder erkrankter Eltern (je 94 %) wurden als am wichtigsten für ein CCC eingeschätzt. Für die SPV waren es zudem die pflegerische Schulung sowie Informationsmaterialien (je 94 %). SOPs wurden mit 47 %/41 % als sehr/extrem wichtig betrachtet, und Screenings der Angehörigenbedürfnisse mit 53 %/65 %. Schlussfolgerung Psychosoziale/seelsorgerische Beratung der Angehörigen sowie Angebote für Kinder erkrankter Eltern sind in den CCC entsprechend ihrer Bedeutung gut etabliert, in der SPV auch pflegerische Schulungen und Familienkonferenzen. SOPs zur Mitbetreuung und Einbeziehung von Angehörigen sowie Screenings der Angehörigenbedürfnisse müssen dringend implementiert werden.

THE ART OF ACHIEVING WHOLENESS: Adult-Learning in Presence and Listening Intercultural Encounter in Healthcare and Counselling before and during Covid-19

Counselling in healthcare is a method-based encounter between two persons. This is at least the definition according to psychology. One person, the client, has the chance to express mental, social and physical problems. The other person, the counsellor or therapist, makes use of her or his knowledge, intuition and responsiveness, in order to explore and heal. Spiritual counselling follows the same procedure. The counsellor is a trained religious person, aspects of spirituality give a distinct notion to the process. Group therapies relate to the needs of people in indigenous worlds, and non-western thinking as well as post-colonial analysis assists to make visible deep social shifts between different societies in a globalized world. Presence and listening are the two dominant qualities of a therapist, a counsellor or a spiritual advisor in this context. What happens, if exactly these qualities are rejected by needs of healthcare? How are the impacts of a globalized pandemic like COVID-19 on this concept of therapy, counselling and encounter in spiritual dimensions? What will lead to a form of community and social life? How does mental health prevention look like in times of challenges?

Zeynep Sağır (Ed.). Din Psikolojisi: Teori, Güncel Araştırmalar ve Yeni Eğilimler. İstanbul: Dem Yayınları / Publishing, 2020.

“Psychology of Religion: Theory, Current Studies and New Directions” was edited by Dr. Zeynep Sağır, from the Psychology of Religion Department at Fırat University. The book consists of eight chapters written by PhD holders or PhD students working in the field of psychology of religion. The purpose of the book is to gather new studies and to provide insight on the field’s current research agenda. The main issues investigated in the book are a meta-analysis of the research on Syrian migrants, Fowler’s faith development theory, the spiritual life satisfaction of patients that have suffered from kidney loss, graduate programs on spiritual counselling and guidance, religion and humour, dream psychology, radicalization and spiritual music therapy. The introduction chapter shortly covers the contents of the chapters and short biographies of researchers are presented at the end. The target group of the book is researchers who are interested in the fields of religion and psychology. Therefore the language of the book is academic. The book would be useful for those who want to be informed about current studies in the field.

Conceptions of happiness: philosophical and evolutionary considerations

This paper offers a critical analysis of the conclusions of the most recent research in the field of social psychology and positive psychology, with a special focus on Jonathan Haidt’s conclusions published in his acclaimed book The Happiness Hypothesis (2006). Various factors contributing to subjective feelings of happiness are considered and assessed on the background of what modern research has come to call a ‘divided self,’ reflecting the dynamic and often conflicting relationship between the human rational ego and his/her emotions and internal (often subconscious) drives. While our individual genetic predispositions have a substantial impact on the way we feel and act, intentional mind-focusing techniques, proper types of psychotherapy or spiritual counselling, and adequate medicine (e.g., Prozac) have a measurable influence on human character development, subjective wellbeing, and feelings of happiness. This paper claims that it might be difficult to answer the question of what constitutes happiness and how one achieves it without answering first the question of meaning in a twofold manner: first, giving adequate consideration to life’s meaning from within, i.e., from the perspective of the personal/moral subject; and second, considering the wider context of the person’s subjective consideration in asking the question ‘what is the meaning of life’ in general. To attempt to answer this second question, one needs to delve into deeper philosophical/spiritual waters.

The COVID-19 Pandemic: How Pastors Communicate Faith and Hope to Virtual Congregations

This paper examines how pastors engaged an online presence to preach the Word of God and address the needs of their congregations, during the crisis of the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown in South Africa. This is set against the Biblical instruction of Jesus Christ to Peter, to “feed my sheep” in John 21: 17, as it is the very same instruction that holds for pastors in churches today. However, the normal operations of the ministry have changed since the COVID-19 pandemic. The Christian church, a close-knit group of believers to whom social and physical distancing are foreign concepts, has had to adapt. Worship sites have been abandoned, and the absence of worshipers has become the norm. Pastoral ministries have been disrupted and call for pastors to embrace new technology to ensure that they have a digital presence with their congregation through social media. This paper argues that these circumstances give the church of God a unique opportunity to rethink how to continue ministry without physical contact. It adopted a mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) approach, using an online questionnaire and telephonic surveys to engage pastors. The paper utilises the Two-way Communication Model (TCM) and the Uses and Gratification Theory (UGT). It concluded that pastoral care and spiritual counselling are essential in crises, that pastors have embraced social media in their mission, and that there is support for digital technology. The article recommendations that there should be a balanced communication strategy for Pastor’s ministries, and that government partners with faith-based organisations in different ways in a joint effort to combat the virus, while encouraging and supporting congregants.

Counselling Services Needed By Secondary School Students in Mount Elgon District, Bungoma County, Kenya

The youth are facing many social, economic and educational problems. These problems are turning the youth into delinquents and misfits in society. This study is aimed at identifying the counselling services needed by secondary school students in Mt. Elgon District. The researchers employed closed ended questionnaire to collect data. The sample population was 58 teachers and 180 students proportionately drawn from six public secondary schools categorized as boy schools, girl schools and mixed schools. The study revealed that students needed the following counselling services: academic counselling, social, peer and spiritual counselling. However, it was noted that the students are at a variance with the teachers regarding the most important counselling service to be offered in secondary schools.

Beyond dissociative disorders: A qualitative study of Polish catholic women reporting demonic possession

There is a gap in research exploring the experiences and explanatory models of people labelled in local communities as possessed. While previous accounts often focused on the links between possession and dissociative disorders or psychosis, the current study elaborates on problems attributed to possession in women with features of personality disorders. Participants were eight Polish Roman Catholic women who had frequented deliverance ministries or individual exorcisms because they were perceived as suffering from malignant possession. Following clinical assessment, video-recorded in-depth interviews about possession experiences were transcribed and subjected to interpretative phenomenological analysis. Participants talked about: (1) Difficulties with expressing emotions and needs; (2) Aversion to the church and its people; (3) Casting spirits out; and (4) Negotiating explanatory models and seeking help. Data shows that the notion of possession can justify unaccepted conflicts and impulses associated with anger, sexuality, and attachment needs in women with personality disorders. Endorsement of, and identification with this belief can prevent people from taking ownership of emotions and using professional treatment. Alongside spiritual counselling, priests involved should have a basic understanding of mental disorders and encourage the use of clinical consultations.