Running head: ARTICLE REVIEW ON PRACTICING DISCERNMENT
Journal Article Review
Practicing Discernment: Pastoral Care in Crisis Situations
Tanisha Johnson
Liberty University
PACO 604
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ARTICLE REVIEW ON PRACTICING DISCERNMENT
Summary
In this article, author Scott D. Landes (2010) discuss Doehring’s foundational framework
on The Practice of Pastoral Care: A postmodern approach created in 2006, in which rendered to
its audience a practical application of narratives, stories, and discernment. The author expounds
throughout the article, the notion of, if applied correctly, most care seekers will benefit
tremendously in acquiring adequate help towards longevity terms during a time of crisis. The
author encourages crisis care-providers/Pastors to understand the roll of the call/service as an act
of ministry in which he/she plans in serving individuals within a crisis. Also, Landes (2010)
reveals that a Crisis care providers should view each situation through a practical lens to where
discernment is thoroughly implemented in adequately using psychological, systemic, and
theological assessments. By implementing a balance of each method, it will be easier for crisis
providers/Pastors to build trust, promote adequate grieving techniques, and support positive
venues to help clients rebuild their lives after a traumatic experience/crisis.
Author Landes presents an example in which Pastoral care was provided to an elderly
client name Ruth. She is faced with a life-changing decision concerning her husband who’s
currently hospitalized and on life support. Ruth is in a state of despair in which she’s trying to
figure out the best decision for her husband and family. Throughout, Ruth’s story, it was revealed
how through discernment, the chaplains’ counseling Ruth was able to notice thematic issues and
emotions in which prohibited Ruth at the beginning of sessions. As Ruth began to trust and open-
up, contextual assessments were able to take place, and Ruth was to receive the appropriate help
which gave her the strength and peace to make her final decision concerning her situation.
Landes succeeded throughout his article in advocating that within crisis situation every
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Pastor/care provider who applies discernment of intellectual knowledge and spiritual knowledge
are able to render concepts constructing valuable solutions to any crisis situation.
Interaction
Reading the article, “Practicing Discernment: Pastoral Care in Crisis Situations”, I found it
immediately engaging because of the need for Pastors and care providers during crisis care to
understand the power of discernment. The author, Landes shows throughout the article,
discernment is not limited to a spiritual point of view, but through practical concepts and
practices that provides care seekers with a well-rounded vision and implementation of services
which helps the whole man. The article revealed sub-sections: Methodology, Initial Pastoral
Care, Narrative Assessment, Discernment, Practicing Discernment with Ruth, and Conclusion.
This introduced methodology which consisted of correlating the experience of implementation of
pastoral care for Ruth as presented by Carrie Doehring. The author, Landes did an excellent job
in allowing his readers to see a double-sided view of discernment in which psychological and
spiritual techniques were advocates for each other in providing care for individuals in a crisis.
Although, I personally understood the importance of using spiritual and intellectual
knowledge in the area of discernment when caring for victims within a crisis, I’m not sure how
some would digest it. Many within a religious faith do not like the idea of adding psychological
knowledge to treatment within counseling sessions. Because some may deem it to be worldly
and from the devil. However, I gained much understanding on implementing discernment within
counseling clients who are experiencing a crisis or some form of life changing situation and need
help in stirring towards recovery. The article reflected a great deal on the positive impact
Pastors/care providers when discernment is applied throughout assisting someone in a crisis. As a
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Pastoral care provider, it would render care seekers great comfort to have wisdom applied when
discernment is implemented throughout counseling sessions.
Application
As a Pastor of a Christian community church, I have recently received the news that one
of my faithful members, Mrs. Hattie of 10 years have lost her husband due to a tragic illness
which consumed life to depart this earth. The message was delayed to me that Mrs. Hattie is
struggling to find comfort and peace granted to her by God. She is now questioning her faith and
trying to figure out how she can recover from this devastating lost. Upon receiving this
information, I and my Asst. Pastor, quickly, requested a visit with Mrs. Hattie. At first, it seems
she hesitates, but grants us the okay to come to her home. I and the Asst. With great sadness and
sympathy in our hearts for the bereaved family, we understood that it was critical to restore Mrs.
Hattie’s faith in God, and to help her receive the peace and comfort God’s grants his people
during any crisis. Discernment with spiritual and intellectual knowledge will be a huge power
source for helping Mrs. Hattie to recover during this tragic loss.
Once arriving to Mrs. Hattie’s home, we did not have any expectations to how she was
doing or handling this traumatic loss, instead we came to her home in applying discernment to
realizing every situation is different, and Mrs. Hattie maybe feeling some sort of vulnerability so
before we would assume anything, we must lead with compassion, love, and fundamentals of
contextualizing what the visit would reveal.
After visiting with Mrs. Hattie, we quickly discerned her need for private counseling
sessions to where she could release emotions and talk of emotions out. It was not that she had
lost faith in God, but she was trying to cope with her loss and come to some understanding of
“why” and “what now”. Mrs. Hattie accepted the private counseling sessions from me, and
through the implementation of applying actively listening and biblical solutions for comfort,
peace, and restoration, Mrs. Hattie was able to gain confidence and allow God to stir her into
recovery after loss.
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Reference
Landes D. S. (2010). “Practicing Discernment: Pastoral Care in Crisis Situations”. Retrieved
from https://journals-sagepub-com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/doi/10.1177/154230501006400104
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