Hope and Possibility: Envisioning the Future in Pastoral Conversation

Abstract

Claims that engendering hope is key in all pastoral conversation, because hope is the Christian perspective on every aspect of life—its low points as well as its peaks. Argues that clergy in the pastoral caregiving role need to foster a kind of hope that recognizes actuality (past) but also steps directly into the future by exercising freedom in the present—by taking action. Opines that to do so, pastoral caregivers need to grasp the central importance of thinking about the future and of envisioning hopeful outcomes to human well-being, and they need as well to offer specific care and counseling methods that will nourish hope in troubled people. Presents a series of methods for pastoral conversation that enliven hope, that help people focus on the future and thus engender hope.