Sharp instruments: Reflections on the conditions and practices of professional and personal care in pastors, chaplains, and other leadership and management occupations of Christian institutions

Abstract

The present article aims to motivate dialogue and reflection by presenting, in accessible language for students and professionals from diverse fields, some ideas and concepts regarding the conditions and practices of care in pastoral work, chaplaincy, and other related occupations. Taking as reference the research and academic bibliography on the issue, as well as the author’s professional experience, it reflects on what are considered the particular challenges of these activities associated with 1) the possible social roles and social expectations about these, 2) some of the main psychosocial risks that entail, and 3) the conditions and practices of care highlighted in the bibliography. Finally, a series of orientations that ministers can consider when seeking professional help are included. For didactic purposes and to favor personal application, it is repeatedly resorted to the use of metaphors and analogies that bring this article more to a dissemination material than to an exhaustive bibliographic review.