When people think of Christian pastoral care, many initially think of prayers, Bible verses or conversations with devout believers. Those who are not religious themselves, who doubt their own faith or who have had little contact with Christianity so far therefore often ask themselves: Do I have to be a believer to seek Christian pastoral care? In principle, anyone is free to seek support, regardless of how firm or uncertain their personal faith may be at the moment. A Pastoral care helpline It can also be a place to turn to when all you need at first is someone to listen.

A pastoral care conversation does not focus on whether someone is particularly devout or meets certain religious criteria. What matters most is the person and their current life situation. Worries, loneliness, grief, conflicts or fears about the future affect both believers and non-believers alike.

Christian pastoral care is guided by values such as compassion, love for one’s neighbour, hope and the belief that every person is valuable. This approach can also be helpful for people who do not describe themselves as religious. No one needs to prove, before a counselling session, how often they pray, whether they belong to a church or how well they know the Bible.

A conversation about God or faith can form part of pastoral care, but it does not necessarily have to. You are free to decide for yourself which topics you would like to discuss. Perhaps your initial concerns relate to a break-up, a family conflict, loneliness or a difficult decision. These personal struggles can take centre stage without every issue being immediately framed in religious terms.

If you would like to talk about God, there is room for that too. You don’t need to have a fixed opinion on the matter. Doubts, disappointment, anger or uncertainty can all be expressed openly. Even the question of whether God exists at all can be part of an honest conversation. A Pastoral care hotline should not create any pressure, but rather provide a safe space in which you can express your thoughts freely.

Some people avoid pastoral care services because they are no longer sure of their faith. Perhaps their prayers did not seem to have been answered, a difficult experience has shaken their faith, or they have long since lost touch with the Church. Such doubts do not preclude a pastoral care conversation.

On the contrary: questions of faith in particular can be a burden if there is no one in one’s personal circle with whom one can speak openly about them. Pastoral care does not mean providing hasty answers. Often, the first step is to sit with the questions together, sort through one’s thoughts and discover new perspectives.

The Telephone counselling It allows you to have a personal conversation without needing to make an appointment in person. This can make making initial contact easier, particularly if you’re feeling unsure or embarrassed. You can start with just a few words and say, for example: „I’m not quite sure if I’ve come to the right place, but I need someone to talk to.“

The pastoral counsellor can ask you questions, listen attentively and work with you to identify what is currently causing you particular distress. You do not need to recount your entire life story, nor do you need to find a solution straight away. You decide for yourself how open you wish to be and whether religious topics should be discussed.

Personal crises and questions of faith cannot always be separated. Anyone who experiences a serious loss may find themselves wondering not only how to move forward, but also why God allowed it to happen. Other people focus exclusively on their current life situation and do not wish to seek a religious interpretation at this stage.

One Faith & life counselling can address both areas. It provides a space for practical concerns, emotional burdens and spiritual questions. Everyone is free to start from their own point of departure. Even those who do not belong to a church or who describe themselves as ‘searching’ can seek pastoral counselling.

Not belonging to a church does not automatically mean that Christian pastoral care is unsuitable. Many people have distanced themselves from church structures but remain interested in questions of meaning, hope and inner stability. Others simply wish to speak to someone who treats them with respect and without judgement.

Before the session, you do not need to decide whether you are a believer, a sceptic or non-religious. You can simply describe your situation. A good pastoral care session respects personal beliefs and does not try to pressure the person you are talking to into anything.