Strangers in the right way: care across theological difference

ABSTRACT

Pastoral work will at times involve care practices with persons who do not share common theological (and political) commitments with the caregiver. Within the dynamics of pastoral encounters, it may not be viable for a caregiver to simply bracket their commitments. At a point where pastoral action must navigate this difference, Miroslav Volf’s encouragement to be a ‘stranger in the right way’ offers caregivers an interpretive metaphor for guiding pastoral action. To be a stranger in the right way entails choosing to provide a stable and caring environment in the midst of this difference. Such a posture embodies the Christian call to mercy. The stranger in the right way will be a chosen posture that maintains concern, and an empathetic stake in the wellbeing of the other, within the givenness of a situation.

KEYWORDS:

• Mercy
• care
• difference
• Volf
• Winnicott
• Augustine

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Notes

1 Davis cites anabaptist distinctives as central to the pastoral task: Jesus as the centre of Christian faith; reconciliation as the centre of pastoral work; and community as the centre of Christian life together.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Chris D. Clements

Chris D. Clements, Ph.D., is a faculty member in youth work at Columbia Bible College in Abbotsford, B.C., Canada. He previously served as the Youth and Discipleship Pastor at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, in Ontario Canada.

Peter Bush

Peter Bush, M.A., D.D., is the Teaching Elder (pastor) at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, in Fergus, Ontario, Canada. He served as the moderator of the General Assembly of The Presbyterian Church in Canada in 2017. His research interests have centred on congregational ministry practice.