Psycho-Medical Pastoral Therapy in Missiology: Church Mission Towards Pastoral Psycho-Medical Framework

Pastoral therapy is a specialised branch of counselling that focuses on psychospiritual concerns, emphasising contemporary psychological theories rather than relying solely on traditional religious elements. In the early days of church missions in Africa, a select group of missionaries embraced a holistic approach to their work, surpassing mere obligations. Notable figures such as Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965) and Helen Roseveare (1925-2016) are often recognized as trailblazers who skilfully combined psycho-medical expertise with their missionary efforts, significantly improving the health and well-being of the communities they served. In today’s world, it is increasingly crucial for churches to adopt a holistic perspective in their mission work, particularly in African regions where many communities face emotional, medical, mental, or spiritual challenges. Through the use of literature reviews and desktop studies, this paper underscores the significance of merging spiritual care with psycho-medical support within pastoral therapy to effectively tackle the modern issues confronting Africans. Accordingly, or pursuant to its core objective of integrating these frameworks, it references existing research to present several valuable frameworks that can facilitate this interdisciplinary approach. The Parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37 provides a powerful framework for Christian mission by illustrating the core principles of selfless love and neighbourly action. Consequently, this paper among other things emphasises the pressing necessity for further interdisciplinary research that extends beyond its current boundaries, addressing the existing gap in scholarship within this field.