African-American Congregational Care and Counseling: Transcending Universal and Culturally-Specific Barriers.
This article addresses two major African-American congregational care needs: (1) helping suffering people to access sustained mental health care, particularly in a large/mega-church; and (2) helping suffering people with multi-layered challenges to access appropriate, skilled care that transcends traditional barriers and is consistent with their faith. One model of congregational care is presented with concrete examples of how cultural, theological, and strategic concerns are discussed, with broad implications for diverse faith communities.
Union Baptist Church, Apex School of Theology, USA tarmstrong@apexsot.edu.
Tonya D
TD
Armstrong
D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D002835:Christianity / Q000523:psychology*; D002977:Clergy / Q000523:psychology; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010327:Pastoral Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D029181:Spirituality
African Americans; congregational care; laity; licensed mental health professionals; pastoral care; self-care