Describe the essential qualities of a pastoral caregiver. Outline literature used to support your assumptions. Discuss the qualities you believe that you have already and what you recognise you need to develop. Include how you intend to do this.
“The shepherd was with his flock day and night, often in remote places far from home, and he had to be skilled in keeping the flock together, in finding wanderers and stragglers, in recognising the ailments of his sheep and knowing how to cure them, and in ensuring the safety of the vulnerable members of the flock.'; This definition of the role of a pastoral caregiver highlights the necessity for certain fundamental qualities within an individual in this role. These qualities include integrity, relevant response to issues of the time, deep knowledge of the heart of God, humility, and love.
Deep knowledge of the heart of God, is the most important quality for someone in a pastoral role. “Do you know the incarnate God? In our world of loneliness and despair, there is an enormous need for men and women who know the heart of god, a heart that forgives, that cares, that reaches out and wants to heal…The knowledge of Jesus’ heart is a knowledge of the heart. And when we live in the world with that knowledge, we cannot do other than bring healing, reconciliation, new life, and hope wherever we go.'; Spiritual maturity is essential as the above quote of Henri Nouwen explains and is further defined by St Gregory the Great where he wrote, “That man, therefore, ought by all means to be drawn with cords to be an example of good living…who studies so to live that he may be able to water even dry hearts with the streams of doctrine…'; , for a rounded and biblically sound approach as a carer. However the relationship between the individual and Christ is inevitably ever changing. The pastoral caregiver has to have an open mind to this spiritual development in such things as his or her spiritual gifts, for growth within him or herself and within his or her care giving.
In conjunction with this relationship with Christ the quality of relevant response with regard to current issues arises. Contextualising pastoral theology is achieved through this partnership with God and the original attitudes and awareness that come from an experience and understanding of the present situation. Here the wounded healer has the opportunity to address these issues more totally as they have an empathetic depth of understanding.
While comparing her time, theology and spiritual practice we realize she lived during the time of immense change, similarly we are living on the edge of a challenged modernity. Her spiritual direction allows us to recognize and develop further abilities in our pastoral ministries of caring for one another as participants within the corporate communities as well as within the mission fields.
Sister Stephen demonstrated this concept magnificently. Although, there are many characteristics of a professional nurse, caring and altruism were two traits that Sister Stephens presented. She had a business that cared for older adults and on the other hand took in children and animals and used all three to provide therapy to one another. She would use the animals to provide therapy to the children and the adults. It was evident that Sister Stephens cared tremendously about all her patients. She too experienced the death of a loved one and used that to channel her passion of nursing. She is motivated by service and considers her work a part of her
While the major thrust of this manual is to help Christians in a nursing home ministry, this final part enlarges the scope a bit to help churches organize to meet the needs of elderly people both inside and outside of nursing homes.
...se they do carry a great responsibility to care for others. As the author declares it, they are the ones who keep watch over the souls of the believers in the faith community, exercise leadership in light of the final Day and will give an account to the Lord for their shepherding. Also, they will be unprofitable, if they do not do it with the joy of the Lord. Rhee as well as the author of this article wants us to see the full responsibility of a leader over a faith community and the qualities he or she must carry in order to lead others to Christ and to the final day of our Lord’s return.
In African American Pastoral Care: Revised Edition, Dr. Wimberly spoke about responding to God’s unfolding and continually changing times when dealing with healing and reconciliation. In this revision of his classic book, Dr. Wimberly updated his message by examining current issues in African American pastoral care, counseling, and outreach ministry in the community. Dr. Wimberly reminded us that we need to do more for our members and proposed new pastoral care approaches to the crisis of disconnection. Using his own narrative, he explained and described how pastors and church leaders can claim a new narrative method for reestablishing the African American village. His paradigm for African American pastoral theology is inspiring African Americans.
Wilson explains that we suffer from the affects of temporal systems; family, friends, social systems, and churches. From the lecture in week four, we learned that because we live within temporal systems, we are influenced by others in our value systems, behaviors and how we handle difficult situations. Dr. Wilson discussed the “Power of Unseen Wounds” and “Problems of Unseen Wounds” through these temporal systems we develop our system of beliefs and core values. We experience pain that is both internal and external and these feeling must be brought to light in order for God to make us whole again.
Clinton, T. & Ohlschlager, G. (2002). Competent Christian counseling: Foundations and practice of compassionate soul care. Colorado Springs, CO: WaterBrook Press.
Healing is a relative term. Healing is also a universal term. The question is how these two fundamental parts of human existence related. The key is found in healing hospitals. Now to many, a healing hospital sounds redundant. However, a healing hospital refers not only physical healing, but also an all-around healing environment. This encompassing theory of a healing hospital provides care for physical, emotional, spiritual, and psychological needs for all patients. Instead of discrimination and rejection of religion and faith, it uses these cornerstones of people’s worldview to reinforce their healing process. This is a very biblical aspect of care
Bryant and Brunson point to the pastor’s prayer life as the means of grace that best prepare him for this awesome responsibility. R...
What is a chaplain? Traditionally a chaplain has been somebody religious who is given responsibility for a particular group, usually outside the church. Such groups could be: hospital chaplains, military chaplains, prison chaplains or school chaplains. How you define “chaplain” depends on where that chaplain is. Today, chaplaincy is a specialized ministry done by ordinary people, male or female. They are trained to offer care and support - personally, emotionally, physically, relationally and spiritually. They are there to listen and to provide a safe environment for people to share their feelings. They also help people work through life's issues and assist in times of crisis and difficulty. Put simply, wherever there is a need for care and support; there the chaplain needs to be. The purpose of this paper is to define what it means to be a chaplain and what is involved in being one.
...stitution. Chaplaincy taught one the importance of caring for the patient as a whole; mind, body, and soul. This can help improve the overall care that any health provider gives and can help prevent further admission to the hospital with the same condition. It is also important to promote good health to patients, and as well to ourselves. One can get caught up in giving quality healthy living tips to patients, but as care providers, using our knowledge on health can also improve our own health and living habits.
finding the problems and circumstances must always lead to the scriptures and allow the client to see the work of God being uplifted in the situation
God is the focal point for spiritual gifts, talents, and training for leadership. The disciples were trained by Jesus. He did not take disciples into a classroom but He taught by examples.9 Many times the disciples were put in situations by Jesus to help them learn on-the-job. Even in missions, leaders cannot be prepared for every circumstance that may arise; however; with his talents, spiritual gifts, and the Holy Spirit, one can have the resources necessary to be successful. With one’s failures, spiritual gifts, and talents, the Holy Spirit will use these things to train leaders as they continue to aspire in
The shepherd and sheep relationship is the best illustration for the relationship between pastor and parishioners. When Jesus asked Simon Peter does he love him three times and said to him “Feed my sheep”, the shepherd and flock relationship has been set. Since Jesus is our good shepherd (Jn. 10:11a), he laid out a good example for us to follow - to lay down his life for the sheep. (Jn. 10:11b) Thus, the wellness of both in and out of the parishioners should always be the concern in the pastors’ hearts. Soul care for the people is essential. Christian friendship is the foundation of Christian soul care. Pastoral ministry including preaching, teaching, and worship forms the broad context of pastoral counseling. Pastoral care is within pastoral ministry but broader than pastoral counseling. God’s love is the source and motivation. Within the pastoral care, there are spiritual direction and pastoral
The first deals with Caring, within this function a leader should look to see if he is restoring, feeding, watering, grooming, shearing, delivering labs, leading, and protecting the flock. The second are is through courage in this the leader should assume responsibility, serving, and participating in change for the congregation. The final is through being a guide, in this the leader will help make decisions and action regarding the future of the Body of Christ. Thomas, explains that by fulfilling these different areas as a leader, a person can begin to live up to the mission of God also known as the Mission