Summary
The network of human assistance outside of the church is wide, as many state institutions work to provide medical, insurance, or social assistance to people. Moreover, volunteers also assist people in need; however, the primary feature of this assistance should be anonymity. Additionally, people in difficult situations can contact ministers (Oglesby, 1987). Through preaching, teaching, administration, and pastoral care, ministers can help people solve their problems.
However, the ministry in the church and counseling with people do not allow priests to visit hospitals or nursing homes. In other words, priests do not have the time to pay attention to individuals who do not come to them and need their help. Meanwhile, close contact with parishioners can lead to the fact that priests may not be able to objectively assess their situation and provide advice (Oglesby, 1987). Accordingly, these limitations point to the need for referrals. Thus, referrals are an essential aspect of the ministry that enables one to support believers in various ways.
It is essential to emphasize that the minister’s primary responsibilities also include encouraging people to seek help. One of the most valuable assets is knowledge, which is why ministers can impart it to people, motivating them to explore solutions to their challenges within their faith. Several places and resources are valuable to a referring minister. These groups include psychiatrists, doctors, family counselors, and volunteers (Oglesby, 1987). Moreover, ministers should not only provide immediate post-referral support but also empower people to address their concerns constructively. Accordingly, their main concern is the well-being of believers, which they can only achieve through the availability of spiritual resources.
Applications
Significantly, the emphasis is on the critical importance of exploring and utilizing a variety of resources to provide Christian care to those in need. The text highlights the various types of care options available, including professional help, support networks, faith-based agencies, and the role of the faith-based community in providing care (Oglesby, 1987). It allows clergy to use these sites to locate individuals in need.
In the context of Christian care, the section emphasizes that ministers should be familiar with and engage with professional and volunteer care communities to effectively address human suffering. Thus, it permits the extensive implementation of Christian relief. The reason is that ministers can discern when to direct individuals to these resources according to their specific needs and the constraints of the minister’s own time, abilities, and emotional resources (Oglesby, 1987). Consequently, each person in need will obtain the help they are searching for on an individual level.
The text also emphasizes the importance of a cooperative approach to decision-making, which engages the individual seeking help in the referral process. This application helps ministers be non-intrusive and supportive of others. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining privacy and prioritizing the individual’s well-being (Oglesby, 1987). Generally, the material provides essential information about the concepts and principles involved in the use of Christian care, as well as guidance for various care providers.
Resources
Garner, M. S., & Kunkel, D. E. (2020). Quality improvement of pastoral care for major depression in the community of an African American religious organization. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 41(7), 568-573.
I chose the article by Garner & Kunkel (2020) because it describes strategies for implementing a unique church leadership initiative to identify depression/suicidality and reduce stigma, which supports Oglesby’s (1987) concept of referral as a form of pastoral care.
Hodge, A. S., Hook, J. N., Davis, D. E., & McMinn, M. R. (2020). Attitudes of religious leaders toward integrating psychology and church ministry. Spirituality in Clinical Practice, 7(1), 18.
I selected this resource as the article written by Hodge et al. (2020) illustrates the incorporation of psychological science into church ministry. I suggest that measuring the mental health of members is not only crucial for addressing social problems, but can also enhance the knowledge of church ministers for the referral process.
Pillay, J. (2020). COVID-19 shows the need to make church more flexible. Transformation, 37(4), 266-275.
I chose the article written by Pillay (2020) because it highlights the opportunities for transformation within the church in the contemporary world, which aligns with the changes and problems that exist in referral-based pastoral care.
Reference
Oglesby Jr, W. B. (1987). Referral as pastoral care. Journal of Pastoral Care, 41(2), 176-187.