By Gerry Hutchinson
According to Chaplain Eileen Perkins, the first-ever Pastoral Care Week was observed nearly 30 years ago in October 1985. Pastoral Care Week is an opportunity for chaplains and pastoral counselors to share their stories and to celebrate various ministries.
The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship offers endorsement to more than 700 chaplains and pastoral counselors. Learn more about CBF’s chaplaincy and pastoral counseling ministries at www.thefellowship.info/chaplaincy
It is an occasion to celebrate the education for and practice of spiritual care through professional chaplaincy and pastoral counseling.
To interpret and promote pastoral care.
To honor and celebrate all practitioners of pastoral care.
To express appreciation to institutions and their staff who support pastoral care ministries.
To publicize the work of pastoral care organizations affiliated with the Commission on Ministry in Specialized Settings. (COMISS)
To promote continuing education for clergy, laity and institutional employees regarding the value of pastoral care.
This year, we spotlight the ministries of several of our CBF-endorsed chaplains and pastoral counselors. Throughout the week, we will share their stories on the 2014 theme of “Spiritual Well Being” here at CBFblog. I hope your heart will be stirred and your thinking stimulated.
Gerry Hutchinson serves as the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s endorser for chaplains and pastoral counselors. Learn more about Hutchinson here.
ADDITIONAL READING:
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