I have learnt a lot about Pastoral Care in this course that I did not know before. The task of Pastoral Care is to help people re-frame their lives, in the light of God’s story for the sake of greater freedom and responsibility, the stories we tell whether humorous or divine, mythic or parabolic, order experience, construct meaning and build community. I really love this quote by Herbert Anderson, and I feel it sums up what Pastoral Care truly is. I found it interesting that Pastoral Care backdates to the old testimant. I was told within my church environment that a Pastor is a function, but its more than just being a function in a church, it is a role and a gift. We should be equipping, building up, unifying and maturing our groups and the congregation in the church that we oversee. The gift of a Pastor is a special ability that God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to assume a long term personal responsibility for the spiritual welfare of a group of believers. I have learnt that oversight, authority and responsibility comes with the role of Pastoral Care. Pastoral Care within the church always focuses on people, their health, growth, maturity and relationship with God. Our attitude should be compassion, compassion is a response to seeing a need and inner compulsion of care and concern that motivates us to render assistance when we see the suffering of others. Within Pastoral Care it is fundamental to have people skills, be able to understand who they are as well as help them understand who God created them to be, and understand their needs and what is required of them to reach their full potential.
From my experience versus what I have learnt in this course are completely different. I had no idea about the legislation side of things or the to mandatory reporting and the record keeping principles. Communication skills and understanding a persons characteristics in Pastoral Care is vitally important.

The course is so exciting and presented in a way that it is easy to understand. it is rich with so much insight in the work of God.
I feel so empowered to serve God using my strengths and spiritual gifts in collaboration with other team players

I am pleased to have completed this course without any time restrictions. I have come in contact with so many hurting people and all they want is someone to listen to their challenges in life. Words of hope and love given to them gives them comfort. I have realised that God has given me the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.. I wanted to extend my knowledge in the role as a pastoral care which led me to enroll in this course.
All the sessions in this course gave me a wide knowledge and deeper understanding in the role and responsibility of pastoral care. Now, I am ready to step out and get involved in this ministry.
The love of God can be shared by listening, encouraging, praying for one another, generosity and act of kindness