When To Counsel, When To Refer

The Person As Teacher

• Basic information
• Faith connection
• Personal meanings
• Relationship to faith resources

Understanding is so important to genuine caring and support. It is impossible for any human being to know exactly what others are experiencing without attempting to enter their lives by careful listening and understanding. A pastor can be greatly assisted by allowing the family and the person dealing with the disease to become his/her teachers. Invite them to share what they are experiencing and what they need. Do not do this just once; stay in touch to carry the burden of an ongoing illness. (Uken, 1986, 8).

Obtaining a religious history can be done informally, and should fit the pastor's personal style. After all, this is not a formal test, it is an informal search for understanding between the pastor and the person in crisis. The following is an outline that can assist a pastor in such an interchange.

1. Basic information: The pastor should elicit information about the age of the person, ethnic background, marital status, educational and vocational background. If there is a mental health problem and it has been diagnosed, the diagnosis should be noted. The person should be asked how he/she understands his/her illness (medically, spiritually, etc.). The pastor should also ask: what gives the person his/her greatest sense of happiness, fulfillment and/or peace; what are the person's greatest fears, concerns, worries, etc.; what makes the person angry and why; and to describe the pain resulting from the illness.

2. Faith connection: The pastor should ascertain the person's religious affiliation; the religious affiliations of the parents; and what kind of religious upbringing the person has had. Furthermore, the pastor should note any changes in religious affiliations; when the changes took place; what is the level of present involvement; and what is the relationship with the pastor and community.

3. Personal meanings attached to symbols, rituals, beliefs and religious and biblical figures: The pastor should learn from the person: what religious practices are most meaningful; when and in what ways does the person feel close to God; what does he/she pray about; what gives special strength and meaning; what is the person's relationship with God; how is God involved in his/her problems; has there ever been a feeling of forgiveness; and what images, concepts, etc., does his/her illness suggest to the person.

4. Relationship to faith resources: The pastor should elicit information about: how the person is involved in religious activities; how the person feels about that involvement; what are some of the faith connected turning points in his/her life; and if the person has made any changes in faith affiliation, frequency of attendance at worship or other levels of involvement in the faith community.

The strengths and weaknesses of the person's religious orientation should be noted. This would include such things as how the person's religious orientation is presently affecting outlook and behavior, and what therapeutic issues have emerged during the course of the interview (Eimer, 236-237).