The interplay between God-images and healing in pastoral ministry : engaging an African spirituality

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:This study can as well be termed as an attempt to interpref' pastoral care andcounseling methods and modules in an African understanding. For this reason, the studyengages concepts, metaphors and images that reflect an African understanding of pastoralministry. It is argued that pastoral ministry will be enriched more by accommodating anAfrican spirituality and cosmology that usually influences the world view of Africanpeople on God, life and the cosmic life-force.The study attempts to work with God-images that will help people to gain meaning inmoments of pain and suffering, and much more also that will help them appropriate faithto life situations in a more meaningful way. Thus the study gives attention to defmingGod-images in light of pain and suffering within a given pastoral care situation. TwoGod-images are therefore proposed for use in a pastoral care setting in Africa, namely,God as a friend (Mubwezi) and God as companion (woyenda naye).The study proposes a working model that can be used by pastoral ministry in the processof assessment of God-images. It is argued that unless pastoral ministry undertakes towork with models that are going to help African people come to terms with situations ofpain and suffering, the work of pastoral ministry will be limited to a large extent. For thisreason, the study proposes that pastoral ministry should reckon with African culturalvalues that are always expressed through metaphors and symbols. It is argued further thatpastoral ministry should work with Christian rituals, such as Holy Communion, Baptismand the Cross which are going to help African people understand the involvement of Godin their lives and also in times of pain and suffering.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University