Can the church use pastoral care as a method to address victims of political violence in Zimbabwe?

Abstract

The principal of this thesis is to show how the Church can use the shepherding model of pastoral care as a method to address victims of the 2008 political violence in Zimbabwe. The model is biblically sound and is quite challenging to an African Christian practicing pastoral care. The Palestinian shepherds when herding the flock they are in front while in Africa, Zimbabwe in particular, we herd from behind. The Palestinian model is important for the Church to emulate. Could the African – Zimbabwean model be the one that the Churches in Zimbabwe have employed? The Church has been reacting when things are happening. The church has not been helpful by prophetically confronting the evil of political violence. The shepherding model of pastoral care calls the church take a risk, trusting God for providence. The church can not afford to be silent when people are being traumatized by political violence. Remaining silent will be regarded as siding with the evil that traumatize people. It is the church that can only be a vehicle of hope, healing and reconciliation. The three stories shared in chapter four is a clear testimony that the church has a lot to do in terms of creating safe environment, rehabilitation and even integrations.