Clinical pastoral education for laity

Medical science, with its high technology, has had a major impact on today's hospitalized patient. Not only has the length of stay been shortened dramatically but the level of illness is much more intense. Both of these factors have influenced the role pastoral care plays as a member of the health care team if patients and families are to receive holistic care. Carefully selected and trained laity can help meet the expanding pastoral care needs of hospitalized patients. This article describes a program designed exclusively for laity, which equips these volunteers through a clinical process similar to that of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). The authors contend that any program designed to prepare laity for pastoral care must include the clinical component. Their experience with 38 laity who have completed the program described in this article has led them to the conclusion that such a process inspires a dynamic growth in faith as laity claim their rightful authority in pastoral care.