something I wrote

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It's possible to have good pastoral care without any money spent at all. What is required is caring, trained individuals who are willing to minister with those needing such care.

Those caring, trained individuals need income to provide their food and shelter Jae. Some here are in danger of losing that income as they respond to the many shocked individuals contacting them. Your remarks sound pretty simplistic to me - but perhaps you will elaborate.
 
Those caring, trained individuals need income to provide their food and shelter Jae. Some here are in danger of losing that income as they respond to the many shocked individuals contacting them. Your remarks sound pretty simplistic to me - but perhaps you will elaborate.

Pastoral care imho should be part of any community of faith. While there is a place for vocational pastors, other trained people within the community can absolutely be involved on a volunteer basis. One of my assignments for seminary included the organizing and leading a pastoral care team at my own church. None of us were paid. All of us were caring individuals who helped, encouraged, and comforted others.
 
IMHO the need for professional "grief counselors" and the like is sometimes overestimated. Not that they don't have their place.

But often what people need is the support of families, friends and their communities (including faith communities). And maybe some help with the chores on the farm. Forget who said this but it was a wise comment. Meaning that practical help is important, too, when folks are having difficulty in their lives.
 
Pastoral care imho should be part of any community of faith. While there is a place for vocational pastors, other trained people within the community can absolutely be involved on a volunteer basis. One of my assignments for seminary included the organizing and leading a pastoral care team at my own church. None of us were paid. All of us were caring individuals who helped, encouraged, and comforted others.
Most churches that I am aware of have this as well. However, the nice church person visit at the hospital is a far cry from what may be needed in situations of significant trauma. I've witnessed a number of 'pstoral visitors' (ostensibly trained) at the hospital bedside - some are helpful, many make me cringe with their comments. Just saying ... there's a wide range.
 
Most churches that I am aware of have this as well. However, the nice church person visit at the hospital is a far cry from what may be needed in situations of significant trauma. I've witnessed a number of 'pstoral visitors' (ostensibly trained) at the hospital bedside - some are helpful, many make me cringe with their comments. Just saying ... there's a wide range.

While I agree that those who have experienced significant trauma require the care of competent professional carers, I dare to suggest that not everyone currently needing care has been through significant trauma.
 
While I agree that those who have experienced significant trauma require the care of competent professional carers, I dare to suggest that not everyone currently needing care has been through significant trauma.


Can you imagine they've experienced life? That would be enough to make some follow martyrdom ... even if an unconscious gnawing sense ...
 
Pastoral care imho should be part of any community of faith. While there is a place for vocational pastors, other trained people within the community can absolutely be involved on a volunteer basis. One of my assignments for seminary included the organizing and leading a pastoral care team at my own church. None of us were paid. All of us were caring individuals who helped, encouraged, and comforted others.

How many hours a week did each person volunteer Jae?
 
IMHO the need for professional "grief counselors" and the like is sometimes overestimated. Not that they don't have their place.

But often what people need is the support of families, friends and their communities (including faith communities). And maybe some help with the chores on the farm. Forget who said this but it was a wise comment. Meaning that practical help is important, too, when folks are having difficulty in their lives.

Absolutely. Sometime a little volunteer help would be adequate.
How do you see things playing out for the people who don't have family, friends or community stepping in to help?
 
While I agree that those who have experienced significant trauma require the care of competent professional carers, I dare to suggest that not everyone currently needing care has been through significant trauma.

How do you define significant trauma?
 
There is definitely skill involved in Pastoral Care. I have seen some ministers who profess to

be grief counsellors or marriage counsellors and are neither. It isn't something that

comes with the title. IMHO, even taking instruction, if you are not the right kind of person

you will never be a good counsellor. I would not.
 
It varied greatly Kay because while some of us worked and/or were in school, others were stay-at-home parents, and others were retirees.

So - using your system those suffering from significant trauma may have to WAIT on the caregiver's convenience?
 
So - using your system those suffering from significant trauma may have to WAIT on the caregiver's convenience?

Hmm... pretty sure I've already said that it should be professionals who care for those suffering from significant trauma Kay.
 
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