Module 1: What Is Spirituality and Pastoral Friending?

Whoever loves God must also love his brother (or friend).

— 1 John 4:21

Module 1 · Five short parts

What's in this module

This first module is split into five short parts, so you can work through it a little at a time. Read them in order, or jump to whichever one you need — each links on to the next, and the assessment comes at the end of Part 5.

Part 1

What is the meaning of spirituality?

Christian context and the fundamentals of pastoral friending
Why you? — a moment of self-reflection
Defining spirituality, with three key quotations

Read Part 1

Part 2

What is spiritual caring or friending?

Confidentiality, and things to do and avoid
Care and the Gospel
Self-disclosure, and working as part of a team

Read Part 2

Part 3

Getting closer to God

Why this matters in pastoral friending
Two short articles for further reading

Read Part 3

Part 4

Spirituality and the role of prayer

Faith, healing and a positive mental approach
Self-reflection — knowing yourself as a carer

Read Part 4

Part 5

What is spiritual distress?

Recognising spiritual distress in a friend
What a pastoral friend can do to help
When to seek further assistance

Read Part 5

Ready to begin?

Start with Part 1, and work through at your own pace — the assessment is waiting at the end of Part 5.

Start Module 1 — Part 1 Back to all modules

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