Ritual: A Fundamental Ministry of Pastoral Care

Abstract

Ritual has played a significant role for the ministry of care throughout the history, especially for those in need. Unfortunately, however, contemporary pastoral care and counseling seems to disregard its ritual legacy by focusing on a more individualistic and psychologically -oriented means of care. This essay endeavors to rectify the errors of contemporary pastoral practices by arguing that ritual needs to be considered as a valuable and effective ministry of care. Ritual acts, if used in an appropriate way, can be vital resources for the cure of souls. This essay briefly explores the historical background of ritual in pastoral care history, particularly highlighting the reasons why rituals have been ignored in mainline Protestant pastoral care practices. The important functions and meanings of ritual are addressed and the pastoral aspects of liturgy are described. Through this endeavor, the reciprocal relationship between ritual and pastoral care are articulated. By using a case study material, this paper illustrates how ritual can be effectively used in a pastoral care situation. Some guidelines for the effective use of ritual in pastoral care are suggested. In this essay, I make the argument that ritual can enrich the ministry of pastoral care and counseling, and that, in this sense, ritual, which is based on rich theological tradition and is effective means of the cure of souls, is necessary for contemporary pastoral care ministry.