To be pastoral is to create a sacred space and time for the other person who needs support. The caregiver is fully present, listening critically and attentively to locate the "pastoral pillars" on the way for continued support.
In order to provide effective pastoral care ministry and also be able to nail down and address the core issues bothering an individual, the caregiver should look beyond the ordinary and superficial, and companion into the deep ("the shadow") with the counselee, mentee, directee, client, patient, and the like. In other words, the pastoral caregiver should identify the root causes and pertinent, disturbing issues emanating from the body, soul, and spirit of the receiver of pastoral care.
"May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you, through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again." (1 Thess. 5:23, NIV)
Pastoral Care and Holistic Ministry focuses on the private, professional, and public lives of pastoral caregivers, including pastors, church leaders, chaplains, counselors, psychotherapists, clinical social workers, spiritual directors, health professionals, and similarly situated others.
