The professionalisation of pastoral care-giving: a critical assessment of pastoral identity within the helping professions

Abstract

This study undertakes a critical assessment of the development of pastoral care as a professionalised helping profession and explores how this development has impacted on pastoral care identity. A qualitative research approach which was both explorative and descriptive was employed to this end. The hermeneutical research methodology as described by Heitink (1993), Louw (2000a) and Osmer (2008), was relevant to this type of research. Current literature and studies were referred to in the conceptualisation of key themes and concepts in this study. These included concepts such as pastoral care, pastoral theology, practical theology and professionalisation. Themes and concepts which relate to pastoral identity are described and explored in line with the overall research aim. These could include historic overviews or current descriptions of various aspects of pastoral identity. Some of the main influences which contributed to shaping modern pastoral identity were examined, for example the impact of ‘psychologisation’ (Sperry 2002) and professionalisation (Schilderman 2005). An essential aspect of the study which is pertinent to the re-discovery of an authentic pastoral identity, namely the theological foundations of pastoral care – has been examined to address the research problem. The South African context was examined briefly in order to draw correlations to current trends found in literature regarding the identity of pastoral care – since it was hypothesised that these trends might be similar. Research findings indicate the extent of the impact of professionalisation on pastoral care identity, and its impact on the development and nature of theory formation for pastoral care and counselling. The main research question which guided this study was addressed and that this study addressed all the objectives of the research. For pastoral identity the conclusion can be made that identity is influenced and constituted through various variables such as other sources of knowledge (social sciences - specifically psychology); societal and economic factors; and the postmodern context in which it is practiced. It can however retain its unique identity through clarifying its role and status as a theological one, defined by a theological knowledge base and skills. 4 From the study it is clear that professionalisation has impacted on pastoral identity in significant ways, namely through the appropriation of psychological methods and the displacement of the Christian tradition and modes of care.