I. Overview of Pastoral Care ( A ministry of our personal human presence ( A visible reminder of the unseen presence of God
A. Involves: Genuine, personal, ministry to a variety of people, taking into consideration multiple elements of cultural and ethnic diversity, social, spiritual, emotional, and physical conditions; justice issues; and without imposing one’s own perspective. B. Demands: Emotional availability, appropriate self-disclosure, positive use of power, a non-anxious and non-judgmental presence, and clear and responsible boundaries. C. Demonstrates: A range of learned pastoral skills, including listening/attending, empathetic reflection, conflict resolution/confrontation, crisis management, and appropriate use of religious/spiritual resources. D. Achieved by: Repeatedly moving toward persons with a pastoral initiative of caring; and by participating physically, emotionally and spiritually with them in whatever setting one may find them.
II. The Concept of Presence
( Presence is a learned and practiced method of caring, based on a humble availability to be used by the Holy Spirit, to help meet the perceived needs of others .
A. What is required of the pastoral care giver: 1. Authenticity – be yourself. 2. Being motivated, a self-starter. 3. Understanding the act of caring to be a deeply important task. 4. Delaying personal gratification and anticipating the satisfaction of a job well done. 5. Realistic practical attitudes like not trying to please everyone. 6. A genuine love for people in all their pluralistic perspectives. 7. Identifying our own anxieties rather than being blocked, immobilized or paralyzed by them. 8. Being sensitive to people, their feelings, hopes, needs and negative