Exploring Current Development of Pastoral Care in Africa Through a Relational View of the Trinity

Abstract

Pastoral care in Africa has gone through series of changes and been adorned by many colours since the entry of Christian mission to the continent. It began as a theological discipline but later became interdisciplinary, drawing from psychology, anthropology, and others. With the influx of African theological reflections on pastoral care, different themes and approaches continue to emerge. Current discourse on pastoral care on the continent favours communal care instead of individualisation of care. The concept of care of the community by the whole community finds its expression in the African communitarian ethos. The article conducts a contextual analysis of pastoral care in Africa through a relational view of the Trinity. The paper concludes that a relational view of the Trinity provides a stronger foundation for a contemporary, context-specific, communal pastoral care in Africa.