Sees parish staff as first responders

An upcoming workshop will examine "The Unique Role of the Pastoral Minister: First Responders to Crisis."

Dr. Roslyn Karaban, a professor of ministry studies at St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry in Rochester, will focus on pastoral ministers helping parishioners who are coping with such situations as death, illness, divorce, job loss, substance abuse, suicide, teen pregnancy and even self-mutilation.

"Pastoral ministers are often the first responders when members of their communities experience crisis," she told The Evangelist.

"This is about pastoral care as opposed to pastoral counseling, which is done by a professional. I'm talking about ongoing care of the individual by the pastoral ministers and the entire parish community."

Caring

"The word 'caring' is an acronym, and that is what I want to talk about," Dr. Karaban said. "C stands for connect, A for assess, R for respond, I for intervene, N for networking with others and G for getting together, or doing follow-up on the individual as time goes by."

She plans to discuss basic assessment and listening skills as well as the ways pastoral ministers can identify their own limits and when to refer an individual for professional treatment.

Traditionally, she continued, parishes have relied on pastors and other parish staff to be responsible for the pastoral care of members. But "the entire community can and should be a great support mechanism for individuals needing pastoral care. We're all part of the community of faith that is our parish. Our membership and our faith in God bolster us all."

In crisis

Dr. Karaban said anyone from a youth minister to a choir member might be called on to be a first responder to a crisis. That response could include teaching, preaching, worship and prayer.

"We can pull many examples of community caregiving from the Scriptures," she noted. "There are many stories about the suffering among people in the communities of Jesus' time. These stories can be discussed from the pulpit or in group sessions, or as informational or educational workshops."

(Dr. Karaban has written two books on her workshop topic: "Complicated Losses, Difficult Death" and "Crisis Caring." Registration is required for her Oct. 19 workshop, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., at St. Mary's Church in Crescent. Call 453-6630.)

(9/14/06) [[In-content Ad]]