The expanding role of the minister as community health services develop

Conclusion

In summary, we have suggested in this brief discussion that (1) clinical pastoral training has established itself firmly in our culture and will be an important resource in the function of community mental health centers; (2) there will also be need for many clinically trained pastoral ministers who will serve importantly in the prevention of mental illness and promotion of mental health; (3) that standards of training in the clinical pastoral field are very much needed and should be nationally unified and coordinated; and (4) that the Association of Mental Hospital Chaplains might well exercise the leadership in developing a national resurgence of interest in a dynamic religion which will better meet the needs of our people as we move forward in this complex scientific age. For myself, I have no doubt that religion can provide many of the positive elements of good mental health, and I believe that this concept will grow to full maturity in the years ahead.