Pastoral care and the psychomaintenance of chronic illness

The psychomaintenance of chronic illness is an area that requires special assessment acumen and skills of intervention and confrontation. Anxiety and appraisals of illness must be understood and interpreted by the minister. While in some ways the pastor is ill-prepared for this area of work, in other ways the pastorate offers an especially beneficial role for helping the chronically ill. Not only is the parishoner's perspective important to assess, but the minister's theological position ought to undergird the value of health and life that is lived in the face of uncertainty with acceptance and courage.Swanee Hunt-Meeks is a candidate for Th.D. in pastoral care and counseling, Iliff School of Theology and co-durector of The Shalom Community, Denver, Colorado.