Hope and possibility: envisioning the future in pastoral conversation

Claims that engendering hope is key in all pastoral conversation, because hope is the Christian perspective on every aspect of life--its low points as well as its peaks. Argues that clergy in the pastoral caregiving role need to foster a kind of hope that recognizes actuality (past) but also steps directly into the future by exercising freedom in the present--by taking action. Opines that to do so, pastoral caregivers need to grasp the central importance of thinking about the future and of envisioning hopeful outcomes to human well-being, and they need as well to offer specific care and counseling methods that will nourish hope in troubled people. Presents a series of methods for pastoral conversation that enliven hope, that help people focus on the future and thus engender hope.