A Christological Approach to Pastoral Care: Toward a Therapeutic Approach to Addressing the Needs of Grieving Persons in the Akan Community of Ghana

Alfred Korankye; Isaac Boaheng

doi:10.47814/ijssrr.v7i8.2204

Alfred Korankye Queen's College, Canada
Isaac Boaheng Research Fellow, University of the Free State, South Africa/ Senior Lecturer, Department of Theology, Christian Service University College, Kumasi, Ghana https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8624-3035

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47814/ijssrr.v7i8.2204

Keywords: John 11:32-35, Akan, Empathy, Grieving, Hope, Pastoral Care, Therapeutic

Abstract

This paper presents a Christological approach to pastoral care, primarily focusing on addressing the needs of grieving individuals within the Akan community of Ghana. The paper delves into the Akan people's unique cultural context and traditional mourning practices. It draws on philosophical and therapeutic perspectives and investigates the intersections of Christianity and Akan culture by integrating elements of both in offering effective pastoral care for the bereaved. Through a theological analysis of John 11:32-35, the paper proposes a holistic approach and framework for supporting grieving individuals who recognize their cultural identity while providing spiritual and emotional healing. The paper used a literature-based research approach whereby data collected from already published works were thematically analyzed. The main argument is that to offer a holistic approach to grieving for those experiencing grief in the African community that encapsulates comfort, sensitivity, empathy, and hope, pastoral caregivers must adopt Christ's approach that emphasizes compassionate presence and solidarity in suffering and loss. The paper contributes to African Christian theological discourse on caring for grieving persons.

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