Comparative analysis of prayer and pastoral counseling
In reading Pray without Ceasing, van Deusen Hunsinger believes that one of the key essentials to the personhood of pastoral caregiver is koinonia. When we dedicate ourselves to a Christian life, koinonia is the essential element of our Christianity, because it combines our fellowship, community and communion with God and with others. van Deusen Hunsinger states the koinonia is the telos as well as the indispensable means of all true pastoral care. (van Deusen Hunsinger, p1)
If we are experiencing koinonia in our spiritual life, koinonia will be made up of the multidimensional element that encompasses not only the vertical dimension (our relationship with God), but also the horizontal dimension (our relationship with each other). It starts with ourselves and opening the communication line with God through our prayer life. As we begin to experience the fellowship, community and communion with God, we develop that vertical dimension. Our living out the vertical dimension is witness by others around us. It is at this point we begin to realize the horizontal dimension of fellowship, community and communion with others is established. (van Deusen Hunsinger, p9)
When the vertical and the horizontal have been established, we achieve a common ground based on humbling ourselves before God and others. In this setting trust and fellowship are established, and ministering and pastoral care between one another can begin.
In reading Pastoral Counseling The Basics, Dittes believes that one of the essentials to the personhood of the pastoral caregiver is koinonia as well. Dittes is more subtle in his approach to koinonia, than van Deusen Hunsinger. Dittes states that “The pastoral counselor does not pretend to possess godlike powers but is a humble servant”. (Dittes, p89)
The multidimensional element of our relationships with God and others is essential to Dittes as well. Dittes also suggests that as we enter into a relationship with others, we enter that
If we are experiencing koinonia in our spiritual life, koinonia will be made up of the multidimensional element that encompasses not only the vertical dimension (our relationship with God), but also the horizontal dimension (our relationship with each other). It starts with ourselves and opening the communication line with God through our prayer life. As we begin to experience the fellowship, community and communion with God, we develop that vertical dimension. Our living out the vertical dimension is witness by others around us. It is at this point we begin to realize the horizontal dimension of fellowship, community and communion with others is established. (van Deusen Hunsinger, p9)
When the vertical and the horizontal have been established, we achieve a common ground based on humbling ourselves before God and others. In this setting trust and fellowship are established, and ministering and pastoral care between one another can begin.
In reading Pastoral Counseling The Basics, Dittes believes that one of the essentials to the personhood of the pastoral caregiver is koinonia as well. Dittes is more subtle in his approach to koinonia, than van Deusen Hunsinger. Dittes states that “The pastoral counselor does not pretend to possess godlike powers but is a humble servant”. (Dittes, p89)
The multidimensional element of our relationships with God and others is essential to Dittes as well. Dittes also suggests that as we enter into a relationship with others, we enter that