Pastoral Visitor Program

PFP Page 40

PFP

Module Six - Project

Report on a conversation

You can click here to open the Handbook and refer to the full, relevant section.

In this activity you will complete a project. You are asked to reflect on a pastoral care conversation, in other words, engage in self-reflection.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

Project – Report and self-reflection on a conversation

We suggest that you visit or speak with a friend. After the conversation (and not in the presence of the person) record the conversation in writing and to reflect on the visit using the headings below as your guide. The main aim of this project is to enable you to put into practice the skills and understandings you have developed.

It is emphasised that this project is a little ‘self-centred’ in that, while you are trying to show you care for your friend, you are also trying to develop and refine your own caring skills. The reflection, then, should be on yourself, not on your friend.

The report should be strictly just for your use. Privacy is important when have caring conversations with people. Please note that you do not share the conversation or report with anyone. You are not asked to submit it to PFP for 'marking'! The conversation might be anywhere between 10-15 minutes. (Please do not audio record the visit or take notes during your conversation.)

If you wish, you may like to ‘create’ a conversation for yourself. This can be challenging because you need to think of the other person’s possible conversation’s directions as well as your own responses. You may find it easier to recall a conversation you have already had with some else.

Project – Personal reflection

In your recall of the conversation you should consider the questions below. They will form the basis of the Question in the Statement assessment that follows. For example, the first question is: Were you satisfied that the your convseration took place in a place that helped facilitate conversation? True or False?

1 Were you satisfied that the your convseration took place in an environment that helped facilitate conversation?

2 Were the surroundings OK?

3 My friend looked exhausted when I first saw him/her.

4 I was satisfied with the way I commenced the conversation.

5 The essential elements of the person's story were easy to follow.

6 You were satisfied with the general direction of the conversation.

7 You identified at least three keywords.

8 You were satisfied with your paraphrasing and questions.

9 You were satisfied with your discussion of the spiritual issues that arose during the conversation.

10 You were generally satisfied with your conversation as a whole.

Please be frank and honest in your analysis! We all made mistakes once, and, unfortunately, can continue to make them. The emphasis in the project is not on how correct you are but how you reflect on your visit.

Completion of the Program (PFP)

That brings us to the end of the Program. We trust you feel that you have developed your personal spirituality and have also developed your caring skills and understanding further.

When you have completed the project and the Statement page that follows, you will be provided with another page that will enable you to receive your personal Statement of Completion, and the opportunity to give feedback on the Pastoral Friend Program.

Always care in a God-centred framework and never underestimate the power of prayer.

God be with you

Pastoral Friend Program Team

Line