Meaningful pastoral intimacy

Abstract

Closeness, warmth, perhaps touching, and some understanding are characteristic of interpersonal relationships. However, there are dangers of intrusion and insensitivity when persons invite pastors to become intimate. Superficial and false intimacy may substitute for closeness. Pastoral care should transcend the primitive “holy man” role, which is “cold” because the holy is desexualized. Intimacy is a closeness between persons in areas we tend to guard as personal.