The pastoral presence in absence: Challenges and opportunities of pastoral care in the context of the global Coronavirus pandemic

Abstract

The role of the pastor is shepherding. With his/her presence the pastor becomes a companion and leader of the Christian church. The advent of the coronavirus has provided a myriad of challenges for pastoral care and presence. These challenges have come because of the closure of chapels and church meetings due to the introduction of lockdown that include the banning of religious gatherings. Lack of pastoral encounters has left families and congregations with many questions about their life as a church. This paper discusses these challenges including pastoral care in the form of contact church services, and pastoral presence in times of crises COVID 19 pandemic. It also argues that despite the challenges, the pandemic has provided opportunities for the transformation of the church and pastoral care approaches. It will conclude by suggesting turning some of the challenges into opportunities and maintaining some of the avenues of pastoral presence used during the pandemic to promote pastoral ministry in future. The paper advocates for the adoption and use of a variety of media platforms for pastoral care as a way of promoting pastoral presence in pastoral absence.