Science and ministry: confusion and reality

The professional pastoral care community generates a great deal of heat but precious little light during its debate about the use of scientific process in the practice of ministry. This result is due in large part to confusion about the basic tasks and processes of science and its role in both organized religion and the current health care environment. Clergy have often not understood that science and faith are different enterprises, that science and art are overlapping processes, and that both science and ministry are means and not ends in themselves. In the current health care environment, the ability to use scientific processes and speak its language are not only essential to the survival of professional pastoral care but are necessary to promote the goals of pastoral care and enhance our ministry.