The Gap Between the Mentally Retarded and the Pastor: A Case Study of the Gap Between Ministry and People

The aversion that many pastors feel for people with mental retardation likely arises from a desire for stimulating relationship, fear of failure and the unfamiliar, myths about human progress, and a desire to have a powerful, life-transforming ministry. The gap in these relationships mirrors the pro...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of religion, disability & health
Main Author: Perske, Robert (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Routledge 2003
In: Journal of religion, disability & health
Further subjects:B Psychology
B Mental Retardation
B emotional growth
B pastoral ministry
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Description
Summary:The aversion that many pastors feel for people with mental retardation likely arises from a desire for stimulating relationship, fear of failure and the unfamiliar, myths about human progress, and a desire to have a powerful, life-transforming ministry. The gap in these relationships mirrors the problems minister face in other relationships. In trying to overcome these feelings, the pastor must be honest about the realities of people with mental retardation, realistic about their limits, aware of the history of the individual and their family, and free to end the relationship at any time. A main goal of pastoral ministry with persons who have mental retardation is to develop a charisma, a natural ability to relate to people with mental retardation with ease and wisdom.
ISSN:1522-9122
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal of religion, disability & health
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1300/J095v07n01_12