Following participation in Dr. Yair Caspi’s “Psychology in Judaism” workshop, the writers contemplate whether the teaching of Caspi’s model in academic settings could become simultaneously a fresh addition to interdisciplinary approaches to the teaching of Judaism in Israeli Academic life, and an academic addition to the contemporary trend to Jewish renewal in Israeli society. The model is based on weekly facilitated workshops in which participants both reflect on and discuss their lives and also explore unique interpretations of Jewish texts and (...) ideas, constantly seeking the borderline where their lives inform the text and vice versa. The process leads to the re-enchantment of ancient Jewish concepts, the reinvention of the Jewish religious experience in a contemporary paradigm and idiom, and the possibility of deep transformative insight. (shrink)

An anthropology based on faith in the triune God who is Creator, Redeemer, and Life-giver is the distinguishing characteristic of Christian pastoral counseling.

The church-going philosopher who settles in for an extended reading of Dan Dennett’s new book will find himself in a familiar circumstance. What one confronts is a lot more like an extended sermon than it is a typical philosophical treatise. And, whatever one’s Sunday morning habits, one can’t help but admire the preaching skills artfully displayed. The delivery is powerful and assured; the argument is streamlined, peppered with evocative and delightful illustrations that will be recalled long after the particular points (...) have faded from memory; dangerous errors are clearly identified, and while we are urged to pity rather than to hate their purveyors, we are also repeatedly warned about the fateful consequences of their mistakes; tropes are repeated to growing effect; finally, the tone is one of earnest exhortation, relieved intermittently with some well-chosen humor, while it lays the necessary foundations for several closing points of practical application. (shrink)

Daniel Dennett's Freedom Evolves is a rhetorically powerful but philosophically unconvincing attempt to show that a deterministic and ontologically reductionist, but epistemologically pluralist, outlook may peacefully coexist with a robust acceptance of human freedom and moral responsibility. The key to understanding the harmony rests in recognizing that freedom is not a metaphysical or physical condition but is instead a product of deeply embedded social practices. I argue that Dennett's project rests on an unargued and implausible deflationary stance toward basic metaphysics.

This essay explores some relationships between social structures or systems and the internal psychological structures or systems of individuals. After defining evil, pastoral counseling, and structures or systems, I present examples of persons affected by social systems of power who have sought counseling. I present a form of counseling known as Internal Family System Therapy (IFS) and show with an extended example how I have worked with clients using this approach. In this process the client is (...) guided to use "Self-leadership" in healing and transforming inner conflict between various subpersonalities or "parts." I then compare the IFS approach to one used by mediators in community conflict transformation and peacebuilding. (shrink)

The Heythrop Journal, Volume 63, Issue 3, Page 414-424, May 2022.

In order to properly distinguish between pastoral and psychotherapeutic counseling, one must clarify both the interpretive presuppositions underlying each of these professional practices and their respective societal contexts. As a common ground for both kinds of practice, at least insofar as they maintain a distance from the usual medical-scientific model of therapeutic intervention, an ontology of playing is recommended. More precisely, in order for counseling to truly come “into play,” any latent neo-pastoral power discourses must be (...) critically exposed. Psychoanalytic counseling is characterized by rules of abstinence and neutrality as well as by attention to unconscious dynamics, especially those of transference and countertransference. Pastoral counseling, even when it takes place outside of the Ignatian exercises, can still orient itself toward the Ignatian model of spiritual accompaniment, thus requiring a discernment of spirits and a reference to transcendence. Both pastoral and psychotherapeutic counseling can profit from each other. Both must be evaluated in terms of whether, in the course of an authentic communication, they succeed in proposing what truly profits the person seeking advice. All of this applies with special urgency to bioethical decision making and conflict resolution: Persons seeking pastoral advice desire an authentic exposition of the values of the Gospel and their church community in order to reach a well-founded conclusion in conscience. Other persons (or even the same ones) seeking psychotherapeutic help in a bioethical conflict situation desire an empathetic mirroring back of the biographic background framing their decision and of possible psychic consequences that may ensue from their acting accordingly. (shrink)

Since the inception of the Pastoral Care Movement, the approach to pastoral care has evolved from the traditional shepherd model to a more clinical, client-centred method. This evolution requires a thorough analysis of recent trends and dynamics in pastoral care, especially in relation to key theological theories and the Church’s role in providing support. Today, the landscape of pastoral care covers a range of topics, including ecotheology, global existential crises and the Church’s involvement in addressing these (...) issues. Additionally, this examination reveals conclusions about theological shortcomings and inconsistencies in emphasis within pastoral care.Contribution: This article provides a critical overview of pastoral care in its current form and context, examining its relevance to the existential needs of the postmodern social milieu and its role in the church today. It offers a critical evaluation of pastoral care within contemporary culture. (shrink)

This introduction discusses the various respects in which the turn to psychotherapy and psychology in pastoral counseling touches on issues of bioethics (as the content of such counseling) and medical morality (insofar as the spiritual dimension addressed in pastoral care impacts the medical condition of those cared for, and the various kinds of psychotherapy relate to the therapy offered by medicine). A short characterization of each essay contained in this issue of Christian Bioethics highlights the major (...) subjects on which these essays agree and disagree. These subjects concern the significance of psychotherapy and psychology for (1) reaching out to parishioners who are estranged from the church, (2) criticizing religion as a whole, and (3) remedying certain distortions for which pastoral care and counseling have been criticized in some Christianities. Problems that arise from the incompatibilities between different sorts of theological and psychological accounts of human flourishing and their suggested solutions are considered. The introduction, then, concludes by briefly discussing the different understandings of tradition and church that inform the various post- and extra-Enlightenment positions adopted by the authors. (shrink)

In this study, religious counseling and guidance services in our country, applications, opportunities and methods were examined in terms of the psychology of religion. Including the theoretical framework and survey application, this study basically consists of two parts, the mental state of people under threat, religious services focuses on the issues of how to provide assistance. The theoretical part consists of two parts, the first conceptual framework of religious counseling and guidance, including approaches have been devised in (...) class='Hi'>pastoral psychology. Religious counseling and guidance classic religious knowledge transfer rather than religious knowledge transfer the therapeutic process or psychological help is about. Therefore, religious counseling and guidance in this section, within the framework of the relationship between psychological counseling and guidance, psychological and religious foundations are emphasized. The theoretical part in the second part, Turkey's religious guidance and counseling relationship is necessary fields, religious counseling and guidance relationships provide paths (opportunities) and problem solving that will help approaches, techniques and methods are discussed. A field study in the application part of the work of clergy religious counseling and guidance on how a pattern of relationships which have been examined. For this purpose, The Presidency of Religious Affairs Personnel providing religious counseling and guidance services, Personal Information Form, Innovative Attitude Scale, Religious Counseling and Guidance, and Maslach Burnout Inventory Attitude Scale was administered survey from. According to the findings obtained in the study, participated in the survey of religious officials of the differences in the degree of significance have been identified where relationship and interaction. At the end of the statistical analysis supported research has been observed that the majority of hypotheses predicted. (shrink)

Title in English: Pastoral Counseling Psychology: Premarital, Marriage, and Family Contexts. "Pastoral counseling" is different from "Christian counseling". Pastoral counseling is a counseling orientation (not a theoretical school) that emphasizes openness to exploration (including tolerating mystery or ambiguity) of spiritual and religious issues (e.g., the concept of God) on clients and between clients and counselors, in which case the issue might be viewed as the root of daily life problems. Pastoral (...) class='Hi'>counseling still uses the concepts of counseling psychology or psychotherapy in general, such as the helping relationship or therapeutic relations. Pastoral counseling psychology is demanded to be pro-active, continuous challenging itself to perform critical reflection and to contribute thoughts and praxis "in concreto" in solving psychological problems. (shrink)

This essay takes a Traditional Christian, that is, Orthodox look at the integration of psychotherapy into pastoral counseling, as endorsed by many Western mainline Christianities. It examines how the Christian pastor can guide his sheep through the bioethical problems they encounter in their pursuit of salvation. The first part explores whether the turn to psychology and psychotherapy can be welcomed as a return to the Traditional therapeutic understanding of theology and of the Church as a spiritual hospital for (...) fallen souls. The second part examines two typical ways in which non-Orthodox Christianities embrace psychotherapy in pastoral counseling, as directed to unburdening parishioners from their doubts about bioethical decision making in the context of a Christian life. This part highlights the theological assumptions (about the pastor, his care, and the notion of God informing both) framing that embrace and shows them to be incompatible with the Traditional commitment to man's Divine vocation. The turn to psychotherapy here, rather than inaugurating a return to the therapeutic spirit of Traditional theology, offers a secularized substitute. The third part investigates the possibility of a Traditional Christian way of practicing psychotherapy along with its significance for Orthodox pastoral care in bioethical counseling. Here it becomes clear that, even beyond incompatible theological assumptions, already psychotherapy's endorsement of a predominantly discursive approach to healing is alien to Traditional pastoral care. (shrink)

This paper aims to elucidate the emphatic demand of the Listening Pastoral inside the Catholic Church. The Supreme Pontiff, Pope Francis, dreams with a clergy with a greater capacity to handle the Christian community in its most relevant urgencies, such as youth accompaniment, specially an active listening made with attentive ears. From this base the article proposes a new method for accompaniment: a pastoral of listening according to the Humanistic Integrative Counseling model. However, the Listening Pastoral (...) doesn’t have agents with the required formation, therefore, beyond the technique, it is important the attitudes of the professional, who welcomes the marginalized and weakened. At the end of the article a list of attitudes will be presented having in mind a pastoral accompaniment. (shrink)

Regarding the question of a criterion for assessing the relevance of data from the behavioral sciences,... those forms of therapy which move toward being are more consistent with the biblical point of view than those which move toward knowing or doing.

When pastoral counselors take seriously the implications of anthropology in Christian perspective, their work with people will be greatly enhanced.

Universities’ teaching and learning strategies aim to prepare students for life and the workplace by creating a culture of innovation to solve real-life problems, so that they can participate constructively in society and lead fulfilling professional and personal lives. In order to reach this goal, teaching and learning must have at least three paradigms, namely pedagogical, cognitive and pragmatic or instrumentalist. A pragmatic paradigm presupposes practical, experiential teaching and learning. This paper explores interactive means within the pragmatic paradigm that can (...) be included in the pastoral modules of theology education. The epistemology is from a practical theological perspective.Contribution: The contribution of this article is that experiential role-play activities can have a positive impact in the pedagogy of pastoral care and counselling. The insight of this article links with the developmental goals for effective theological education in South Africa. (shrink)

South Africa suffers a scourge of domestic violence. Colonial oppression upset the delicate balance between 'discipline' and 'protection' in traditional cultures. The full consequence of a patriarchal mindset of male control is unleashed on girls and women. The aim of this article is to investigate how the cycle of domestic violence can be broken and what role pastoral counsellors can play with regard to both victims and offenders in order to prevent history from repeating itself. The article also investigates (...) the extent to which legislation has succeeded in protecting individuals. Pastoral care and counselling comprise both spiritual and emotional support. The combination of two counselling methods compatible with religious themes such as 'hope' and 'new life', namely logotherapy and narrative pastoral counselling, is presented as an effective response to domestic violence. (shrink)

This essay contributes to the discussions about the end, or rather reform, of the Counseling Movement. One central problem concerns the question of whether, apart from the positive impact psychology has had on pastoral counseling, this influence may not also have led to an obfuscation of theological profile. This question is addressed in view of the language used in pastoral counseling. First, various implications of the use of psychological terms are exposed insofar as these influence (...) pastors’ professional identity as well as the pastoral communication. In a second step, a parishioner-oriented communication model is proposed, which renders different language games complementary to each other. (shrink)

The professional training of pastoral therapists has been a topic of controversy for many years in South Africa. Up to date, the training of pastoral workers has been limited to the study of ministry and as such is limited by the primary aims and outcomes of this curriculum. In a post-apartheid, post-colonial South Africa, the need for pastoral workers is intensified by the needs of community- and faith-based organisations for trained and registered therapists to alleviate the counselling (...) needs of their beneficiaries on all social levels. This article discusses the current state of affairs of the training and curriculum related to the profession of pastoral therapy in the context of South Africa, the various sociopolitical and religious needs that are still left unanswered in the field, and makes recommendations for the registration and accreditation of the profession with a specific curriculum focused on multicultural, multi-spiritual and post-modern nuances. The author argues that such a curriculum, accredited by a statutory body, can operate as a national health resource, will be more cost-effective than other related health services and may transform the social justice landscape related to both the providers and beneficiaries of this type of care. (shrink)

According to Kuhn a new scientific discipline comes into existence when a group of scientists adopt a common paradigm within which to conduct research. The adoption of this paradigm senes to focus the attention of the group’s members on a common explanatory task-at-hand and leads them to adopt similar methods and aims, thus making possible the standard puzzle solving activities that allow normal science to advance rapidly. However, Kuhn argues, in pre-paradigm periods and during revolutionary phases, scientists do not engage (...) in such singleminded, puzzle-solving behavior, as the paradigm itself is put into question. Instead, during these periods, they become at least partially self-reflective in that they become interested in understanding the nature of their discipline and its relationships to other disciplines. In this paper, I argue that Philosophical Counseling is in a pre-paradigm period and is in need of a paradigm centered definition if it is to develop an identity and advance rapidly. In an Aristotelian mood, I seek this definition though an examination of the related fiends of psychotherapy and pastoral counseling. (shrink)

Few writer-philosophers of the past have evoked as much curiosity in the twentieth century than Soren Kierkegaard. The further one probes into his thought the more his ideas prove to have relevance for the modern world and especially to Christians. Such is the case with psychology.

This book from award winning author Dr. Larry Crabb seeks to think through a model of counseling which can be integrated into the functioning of the local church. It contains a chart appendix.

Recently, focus groups and qualitative interviews with nurses who provide frontline care for persons living with HIV highlighted the contentiousness surrounding the seemingly innocuous activity of counselling clients about HIV‐status disclosure, hereafter disclosure counselling. These empirical studies highlighted that while some nurses felt they should instruct clients to disclose their HIV‐positive status if HIV transmission were possible, other nurses were equally adamant that such counselling was outside the nursing scope of practice. A review of these opposing perceptions about disclosure counselling, (...) including an examination of the empirical evidence which supports each point, revealed that the dichotomous arguments needed to be nuanced. The empirical evidence about serostatus disclosure neither supported nor refuted either of these assertions; rather, it substantiated parts of each. To create this understanding, both empirical and theoretical works are used. First, the results of empirical studies about serostatus disclosure, or lack thereof and HIV transmission is presented; as part of this, Marks and Crepaz's HIV disclosure and exposure framework is examined. Second, the work of Michel Foucault on disciplinary and pastoral power is drawn from. The outcome is a nuanced understanding about the interrelationships between disclosure counselling and nursing practice and a final interpretation about what this understanding means for public health practice. (shrink)

The foundation of the Christian counselling movement -- Christian counselling in the UK -- The aims of Christian counselling -- Integrating psychological and biblical truth -- Sigmund Freud--the founding father of psychotherapy -- The individual psychology of Alfred Adler -- Abraham Maslow--the man with new age tendencies -- Carl Rogers--a man who believed in himself -- Albert Ellis--the aggressive atheist -- The Bible's verdict on psychological 'truth' -- The case against Larry Crabb -- Self-esteem: the secular foundation -- Self-esteem and (...) the Christian counselling movement -- Self-esteem dogma in the light of scripture. (shrink)

The goals of Christian pastoral counseling should be governed by a moral image of the human, and the counselor's understanding of Christianity should emphasize its moral dimensions.

How should we shape the practice of pastoral care, especially in the context of bioethical counseling? Martin Luther grounded it in a mutual dialogue of brethren. Friedrich Schleiermacher transformed this Protestant understanding according to the modern ideals of freedom and responsibility for oneself. In response to the other basic question of pastoral care: What is the human soul?, Sigmund Freud overcame the Platonic model undergirding Schleiermacher's account. Whoever seeks to care for his own soul and the soul (...) of the other should learn from Freud. One of the most fruitful consequences of such study lies in the formation of a mature religiosity. Another such consequence concerns the pastor's aspiring to an attitude of self-control in counseling. Building one's own competence on the experience and the knowledge of Freud can help one counteract the temptation to transfer one's own (unconscious) wishes onto the conversation partner and conversely to ward off transference from the other onto oneself. On the level of ideals and ultimate principles, however, Christian pastors, unlike Freud, will not see fate and the anonymous forces of Eros and Thanatos, as the ultimate last horizons of human self-understanding. Instead, the good news of sinful man's justification by God transcends even the limits of human existence imposed by fate. (shrink)

"Co-published simulaneously as Journal of spirituality in mental health, vol. 9, issue 3/4, 2007.".

Pastoral care is a biblical mandate to the Church to be involved in the lives of God's peop A key metaphor used by Jesus to describe his pastoral role was that of a shepherd. Thi to be God's shepherds and instruments of healing and transformation in God's world is imperative to all people, clergy and laity alike. The brokenness in South African society strikingly apparent, exacerbated by the effects of exceptionally high criminal behaviour statistics show. The demand for (...) pastoral care and assistance with various personal proble is on the increase, with many non-church goers turning to churches for help. Also appare in South Africa is the acute shortage of trained individuals to offer care and counselling. T task of offering care is not the sole responsibility of clergy, as all are called to be shepherds a caregivers. The importance and urgency in training church-based counselling teams cannot overstated. More so in that we are becoming increasingly aware that not only are individu in need of care, but whole communities are struggling with trauma and life's challenges, a often do not know whom to turn to. In pursuance of the realisation that pastoral care is t function and duty of all Christians, this article will delineate in particular an explanation lay counselling, reasons for its importance including biblical foundations, where and ho ordinary South Africans can get involved, and will propose certain models and approach for getting started. These models will not be discussed in depth, but present an opportun for the next. Teams for these models consist of professional counsellors, but ought not to restricted to a select few, as all are called to this special ministry and can be trained for t task, which will include on-going supervision and mentoring. The overall purpose of t article is to highlight the urgency of training lay counsellors and some recommendations w be made how to apply it, in an attempt to be faithful to the biblical mandate and examples by Jesus Christ. (shrink)

The inception of democracy in South Africa faced the oppression of women as one of the challenges. The duty to improve women’s position in society is not the responsibility of a few people alone, but of everyone. According to the researcher, the church has not done enough pastorally in this regard. In denouncing the oppression of women, the Christian community should also support the victims of abuse. This article intends to unmask collusion with patriarchal societies including the Jewish society in (...) Jesus’ time by mapping out the forms of harassment and embarrassment inflicted upon women. The study shows how pastoral care can help victims of oppression. A re-reading of John 8:1–11 will inform the, how can the verses above be used in counselling the victims of gender oppression. This study will formulate pastoral guidelines from Jesus’ response to the Pharisees, the Scribes and the woman. (shrink)

The use of Scripture in pastoral care needs to attend to what is disclosed about God's power to transform as well as to the limitations of persons seeking care. Song of Songs provides a vision for pastoral care grounded in metaphors that tell a story that witnesses to the transforming power of love between equals. Even though the text ends in yearning, the book as a whole illustrates why desire is necessary for healthy human relationships and why love, (...) a basic human need, is integral for any counseling relationship and especially with individuals struggling with depression. (shrink)

Violence has become a common phenomenon that affects women and children, particularly during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. While the lockdown regulations were meant to save lives by preventing further spread of the virus, another virus called ‘violence against women’ encroached the space which is supposed to be the safest for women and children. For women, homes have now been turned into cages of violence and slaughterhouses. Toxic masculinity is seen at play as all dominant and power ideologies are (...) employed against women. This article deals with these challenges of violence against women in Botswana from a pastoral care point of view. Firstly, it provides an overview of the current gender-based violence (GBV) situation in Botswana through empirical data from other social scientists. It then highlights some forms and the causes linked to the problem of GBV in Botswana. Secondly, it brings in pastoral care work, particularly mutual care, as a relevant tool for the church in addressing GBV. Lastly, it suggests ways in which the church could contribute in pursuit of gender justice and building a violence-free society. Contribution: While the article grapples with the challenges of GBV and persistent toxic masculinities from a theological point of view, the implications of the outcome are multidisciplinary. They aim to respond and raise awareness about the need to build a violence-free society, and to deal with the challenges of oppression, toxic masculinity and manhood ideologies which result in the domination and killing of women. (shrink)

The South African political and social landscape has been dominated and characterised by, among others, a growing number of protests in recent years. Protesting and marching are allowed by the constitution of the country, provided the required permission is granted by relevant authorities. Unfortunately, very few protests and marches end peacefully. Most lead to the destruction of property and even loss of life. Recent violent protests demanding the release of the jailed former President, Jacob Zuma, were estimated to cause losses (...) of not less than a hundred million rand, with shops looted and trucks burnt. Violent protests have become the norm – similar to the period of contestations against the apartheid government. The point of departure of this article is that destructive protests need to be investigated to determine the causes while unveiling the challenges such protests bring to the community and the nation at large. The critical reading of post-apartheid academic and non-academic texts relevant to the topic will be read within the South African context, to determine the causes as we seek ways to minimise or even eradicate the violence that is destroying South Africa. The article will also advance the role of theology, particularly practical theology, in the elimination of such practices. Contribution: Working towards eliminating and arresting the social ills that are destroying South Africa cannot be achieved without addressing the destructive protests, which are delaying and even reversing the achievements of democracy. It is the role of practical theology, through its pastoral care and counselling, to engage with broken communities in trying to teach, counsel and show them the importance of avoiding vandalism and cruelty when seeking service delivery from their leaders. (shrink)

The psalmist is deeply convinced that God is a reliable addressee to whom those hurt, traumatised and grieving may turn. Churches, by their mandate to share God's loving-kindness, are obliged to provide opportunities, counselling and pastoral care to those who suffer from violations in their lives. Representatives of the church will do so by proclaiming God's compassion and pitifulness. This obligation is all the more important as it can be observed that Christians, congregations and churches have oftentimes been part (...) and parcel of processes that caused harm, hurt and trauma to their members or other people. (shrink)

Psikolojinin bir bilim dalı olarak ortaya çıktığı 19. yüzyıla kadar, insana dair sorunlar, felsefi bir yorumla ele alınmıştır. Zaman içinde pozitivizm, materyalizm gibi felsefe akımlarının yön vermesiyle psikoloji bilimi kendine ait kavram ve yöntemlere sahip olmuştur. Bu süreçte bilimde hâkim olan paradigmaların etkisiyle din, uzun bir dönem bilimsel araştırmaların dışında tutulmuştur. Bilim adamalarının dine karşı olumsuz tutumlarına rağmen, Hıristiyan din adamaları felsefe ve psikoloji gibi alanlardaki bilimsel gelişmeleri yakından takip etmişlerdir. Kilise hizmetleri çerçevesinde geleneksel olarak sürdürülen “pastoral care” faaliyetlerinin (...) psikoloji ve psikoterapi alanlarındaki gelişmelerden etkilenmesiyle bugünkü dini danışma ve rehberliğin temeli olan “pastoral care and counseling” kavramları ve yöntemleri ortaya çıkmıştır. 1960’lardan sonra dünya genelinde bir yayılma eğilimi gösteren dini danışma ve rehberlik konusu, son yıllarda Türkiye’deki dini kurum ve akademik çevrelerin de ilgi odağı haline gelmiştir. Bu makalede, konunun İslam kültürü içindeki realizasyonu ile ilgili çalışmalara katkı vermek amacıyla dini danışma ve rehberliğin temel kavramları ve tarihi arka planına odaklanılmıştır. Modern yaşam biçimi toplumsal değişimi hızlandırmakla kalmamış bireysel ihtiyaçları da bir hayli değiştirmiştir. Yaşanan hızlı değişim ve farklılaşan ihtiyaçlar bir takım psikolojik problemleri beraberinde getirmiştir. Buna bağlı olarak insanı olumsuz etkileyen ve hastalanmasına yol açan psikolojik süreçler incelenmeye başlanmıştır. Öte yandan değişimden hayatın değer ve inanç sistemleri de etkilenmiş, kurumsal dini yapılarda ve din hizmeti anlayışlarında önemli değişme ve gelişmeler meydana gelmiştir. Bu sebeple bir taraftan yeni ortaya çıkan olay ve durumlar karşısında dinin bakış açısını ve tutumunu öğrenme ihtiyacı, diğer taraftan yaşanan acı ve krizler karşısında psikolojik yardım ve manevi destek gereksinimleri giderek artmıştır. Kısacası din, insanların kendi başlarına hareket etmekte zorlandığı, rehberliğe ihtiyaç duyduğu bir alan olmuştur. Dini danışma ve rehberlik alandaki ilk çalışmalar, tamamen bir Hıristiyanlık faaliyeti olarak ortaya çıkmış olduğu için bu alana ait ilk kavramlar da Hıristiyan kültürü ile yakından ilgilidir. Dini danışma ve rehberliğin temel kavramlarından olan “pastoral care” genellikle rahip ya da papazların özellikle kilise dışında yürüttükleri dini danışmanlık ve rehberlik hizmetlerini ifade etmektedir. Günümüzdeki dini danışma ve rehberlik hizmetlerinin temelini, Hıristiyan din adamlarının verdiği manevi destek, öğüt ve tavsiye anlamındaki pastoral care faaliyetleri oluşturmaktadır. Ayrıca kavramların, Mesih ve teslis inancı; günahsızlık ve günahların kefareti, lütuf yoluyla kurtuluş öğretileri; papazların yanılmazlığı ve ruhbanlık anlayışı; itiraf müessesesi ve kilisenin statüsü gibi Hıristiyan teolojisine ait kökenleri bulunmaktadır. Pastoral care ve pastoral counseling birbirlerinden bir dereceye kadar ayırt edilebilen yardım şekilleridir. Aralarındaki farklılık, papazların insanlarla çalışırken, ilgili psikolojik dinamikler yerine kendilerinin ahlaki duruş mesafelerinden kaynaklanır. Bu nedenle ikisi arasında en geniş ve kapsayıcı pastoral faaliyet, kesinlikle pastoral care çalışmalarıdır. Bu çalışmalar, resmi ve gayrı resmi konuşmalar, diyaloglar ve diğer iletişim etkileşimleri ile gençler, çiftler, yetişkinler ve çeşitli diğer gruplarla daha fazla ya da az yapılandırılmış genel ilişkilerdir. Pastoral counseling olarak adlandırılan yardım ilişkileri ise pastoral care faaliyetlerinin genel ve her yerde uygulanabilirliğinden farklı şekilde, bireylerin belirli bir yerde ve belirli bir süre tahdidi çerçevesinde yapılandırılmış olan yardım faaliyetlerini içerir ki, böyle bir yardım sürecinde papazın dikkatini ve zamanını gerektiren durumlar söz konusudur. Burada ayırt edici nokta, bireyin psikolojik durumu ve sorunlarının daha fazla olmasıdır. Dini danışma ve rehberliğin kurumsal bir hizmet alanı olarak ortaya çıkışı, reform hareketleri ve sanayi devriminin Batı Avrupa ülkelerinin sosyal dokusu ve dini kurumların yapılanması üzerinde yaptığı değişimle doğrudan alakalıdır. Nitekim Katolikler ve özellikle Ortodokslar yeni gelişen psikolojik danışma faaliyetlerinde daha temkinli bir tutum takınırken Protestanlar dini destek ve yardım hizmetlerinde yeni psikolojik teori ve teknikleri kucaklama eğilimi göstermişlerdir. 15. yüzyıldan itibaren oluşan, insana, Tanrı’ya ve âleme bakıştaki farklılaşmanın gerçekleştiği süreç, 18. yüzyılda “aydınlanma” olarak adlandırılan köklü bir değişimi beraberinde getirmiştir. Doğaüstünün doğayla, dinin bilimle, tanrısal buyruğun doğa yasasıyla, din adamlarının filozoflarla yer değiştirmesi ve dini inanca toleransın azalması ile karakterize edilen bu dönemde, din ve maneviyat konusu, psikolojik araştırmalar ve klinik deneyler dışında tutulması gerektiğine inanılan, kişilere özgü, bilim dışı, bilinmez bir özel alan olarak görülmüştür. Psikolojinin bir bilim dalı olarak ortaya çıktığı dönemde bilimsel sahada hâkim olan paradigmanın etkisiyle bilim adamaları her ne kadar din ile sağlıklı bir ilişki kuramadıysa da; özellikle Amerika ve Avrupa’da kilise hizmetleri çerçevesinde “pastoral care” faaliyetlerini yürüten din adamları, modern psikiyatri ve psikoterapi birikiminden etkili bir şekilde yararlanmışlardır. Kilise faaliyetlerinin psikoloji alanındaki gelişmelerden etkilenmesiyle papaz ve rahiplerin dini konulardaki yardım çalışmaları hem kilise içinde hem kilise dışında daha profesyonelce yürütülen faklı bir boyut kazanmaya başlamıştır. Papazların yetiştirilmesinde danışma psikolojisi ve klinik psikolojinin yöntem ve kurallarının kullanılmaya başlamasıyla “pastoral counseling” alanı gelişme göstermeye başlamıştır. Abraham Maslow’un “kendini gerçekleştiren kişiler” hakkındaki araştırmasına kadar (1962) ilgiye layık görülmeyen din ve maneviyat, bu araştırma sonucunda, karşılanması gereken nihai bir ihtiyaç ve önemli bir motivasyon olarak fark edilmiştir. Alanda son yapılan araştırmalar, din ile ruh ve beden sağlığı arasında önemli ilişkilerin olduğunu ortaya koymaktadır. Danışmanlarca, danışanların dini inançlarının danışma sürecine dâhil edilmemesi; danışanın kimliğinin işe yarayan önemli bir bölümünü yok saymakla eş anlamlı kabul edilmektedir. Bu gelişmelerin sonucu olarak bugün başta ABD ve diğer gelişmiş ülkelerde birçok Tıp Fakültesi ve Psikoloji bölümleri, programlarına dini danışmanlıkla ilgili dersler koymaktadır. 20. yüzyılın başından beri Hıristiyan Batı dünyasında uygulanmakta olan pastoral care and counseling faaliyetleri, toplumsal değişmenin küresel etkileri ve gittikçe benimsenen modern yaşamın farklılaşan ihtiyaçlarına bağlı olarak son yıllarda Türkiye’deki akademik çevrelerin ve ilgili kurumların ilgi odağı haline gelmiştir. Dini danışma ve rehberlik, kültürümüzde henüz yabancı bir kavram ve kurumsallaşmamış bir hizmet alanı olarak kabul edilse de; Hz. Peygamber’den (s.a.v) bu yana sürdürülen din hizmetlerinin en önemli bölümünü, özü dini rehberlik olan irşat faaliyetleri oluşturmaktadır. Ancak günümüzde modern psikolojik yardım disiplinlerinin ilke ve yaklaşımlarından destek alan yeni irşat modellerine ihtiyaç vardır. Dini danışma ve rehberlik, amaç, ilke, yöntem ve yaklaşımları ile toplumda oluşan yeni ihtiyaç ve beklentileri karşılamaya yönelik sürdürülen çabalara önemli katkılar sağlayacaktır. (shrink)

Our approach to counseling and personal ministry is often lopsided—we treat people as minds to be taught or problems to be fixed, moving too quickly toward applying biblical solutions without taking the time to love people well and understand their experiences and hurts. The Dynamic Heart in Daily Life provides a comprehensive view of how the heart works and how Christ redeems it. Pierre’s faith-centered understanding of people combines with a Word-centered methodology to give readers a practical way to (...) help others better understand their tough experiences and who they are in light of who Jesus is. Pierre guides readers through four key activities—reading, reflecting, relating, and renewing—that will consistently position them to understand everyday human experiences in light of Scripture. Pierre exposes the false dichotomy between the spiritual and seemingly unspiritual parts of the human experience, showing how every thought, feeling, and choice actually expresses the spiritual activity of the heart. He shows how faith in Christ is the means by which the heart begins to respond differently. Faith is not only the entry point for heart change, but also an expression of our everyday, ongoing need for Christ. Pierre’s holistic view of counseling—forged by his experiences as a counselor, pastor, and seminary professor—equips readers to understand how everyday beliefs, desires, and commitments shape how we respond to life’s biggest struggles and how an active relationship of trust in God is the foundation for lifelong change. (shrink)

Representing two generations of counselor education and practice, Megan Anna Neff and Mark McMinn provide practitioners with a fresh look at integration in a postmodern world. Modeling how to engage hard questions, they consider how different theological views, gendered perspectives, and cultures integrate with psychology and counseling.