Community pastoral care : a critical empirical study of the role of the pastor in the community

["Dissertations -- Practical Theology", "Theses -- Practical Theology", "Pastoral theology", "Communication -- Religious aspects -- Christianity", "Practical Theology and Missiology"]

Mee, Richard ; Thesnaar, Christo

Stellenbosch University

Others  :  https://scholar.sun.ac.za:443/bitstream/10019.1/19916/1/mee_community_2012.pdf

瑞士|英语

来源: Stellenbosch University

【 摘 要 】

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Pastors and congregations need to communicate the faithfulness and care of God within the real lifecontexts of the communities that they are a part of. The problem is that pastoral theology has been predominantly linked to individual psychology rather than to theory that facilitates a specifically Christian care for whole communities.This study asks how pastors can engage with the concrete realities of their communities, caring for realand practical needs, within the context of the specifically Christian focus of the Gospel. The chief goal isto make a clear contribution to the way in which Community Pastoral Care is thought about and carriedout. This is a contribution that encourages engagement with the needs of the communities together withthe Gospel. This requires a methodology that involves interdisciplinary understanding, calling for a hermeneuticalstudy. The study engages firstly with Systems Theory, gaining an understanding of the way in which communities and groups function and change. Linked to this is the study of Communicative Action and Social Constructionism, these contribute understanding of the way in which communication functions within the community system. Thirdly, a study of Community Psychology, including Social Capital,emphasises the importance of focusing on the relationships within the community. Community carein this context is predominantly care for relationships and communication within the community. Thisincludes the understanding that problems form within the relationships that make up the community,rather than individuals within the community. It also places the focus of care on building strengths ratherthan fixing pathologies. The specif cally Christian character of Community Pastoral Care is given through a study on sin/evil,the gospel and revelation. Th is introduces the action and communication of a faithful God. CommunityPastoral Care is seen to incorporate the revelation of the Kingdom of God and its blessings, as well as the possibility of a direct relationship with Him that transforms the life of the community and individuals. Semi-structured interviews, with a small selection of pastors, give an empirical aspect to the study. Thishelps to ground the study in the actual experiences of pastors, giving a chance for their experience to add to and engage the theory study. The first two theory chapters suggest that the key to community care is developing positive relationshipsbetween the parts of the system. With the introduction of a relationship with a faithful God, the understanding of care expands. Revelation of His Kingdom, and the changed relationships that it brings, transforms the earlier Communicative Action into both an expression of and a communication of afaithful God and the promise of His Kingdom.What is concluded is that Community Pastoral Care is primarily the revelation of God to the community. This is carried out through relationship with the congregation including, and guided by, the ministry ofthe pastor. This is a Pastoral Care that is less about technique and more about mutual relationships oftrust and open, positive communication with God, the congregation and the community.