In the last decade, the focus of pastoral theology has shifted dramatically from care defined as counseling to care understood within a wider social, political, and religious context. Feminist and womanist theory as well as feminist and womanist faith convictions have played a key role in this development. This collection of essays identifies the many changes occurring in definitions of pastoral theology, care, and counseling; defines and develops new methods and approaches; and attends to the implications of these changes for congregational care and theological education.
