Pastoral Care with Marriages and Domestic Partnerships

Abstract

The pastor (and staff, if any) is the key leader in providing pastoral care (which includes counseling) to/in/for/with marriages and other types of domestic partnerships. The broad range of ministries requires a team approach that involves clergy, lay volunteers, and professional consultants. Many suggestions for marriage and family ministries in the context of sexual diversity and for having a marriage and family ministries team in the congregation's administrative structure are available.1

Key Words:

• Marriage
• holy unions
• self-fulfillment
• children