Partnership Spirituality as the Mutuality of Giving and Receiving: <subtitle>Reflections on Pastoral Care and Diaconia</subtitle>
Abstract This article examines the conceptual relationship between pastoral care and diaconia. The Introduction is followed by Part 1, a preliminary discussion of the question of whether the two concepts cover the same subject or are different. Moreover, I ask which concept is the most comprehensive...
| Published in: | Diaconia |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht Verlage
2023-01-01
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.vr-elibrary.de/doi/10.13109/diac.2023.14.1.7 |
| Summary: | Abstract This article examines the conceptual relationship between pastoral care and diaconia. The Introduction is followed by Part 1, a preliminary discussion of the question of whether the two concepts cover the same subject or are different. Moreover, I ask which concept is the most comprehensive. Since the meanings and implications of the concepts are disputed, Part 2 presents a survey and analysis of different approaches to pastoral care. Similarly, Part 3 is a discussion of various understandings of diaconia, in which I suggest that diaconia is best described using diaconal spirituality. Part 4 argues that pastoral care and diaconia share several common concerns, including a theology of care, the significance of the body, time as a resource, and paying attention. Many studies of diaconia and pastoral care focus on the spirituality of the caregivers, whereas I argue that we need a broader perspective that considers the spirituality of the receivers as well. Pastoral care and diaconia are linked together by a partnership spirituality, i.e., a mutuality of giving and receiving. |
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| ISSN: | 1869-3261 2196-9027 |