Pastoral care (Topical Term)

Dict. of pastoral care, 1987: under Pastoral care, nature of (Pastoral care is that aspect of the ministry of the Church which is concerned with the well-being of individuals and of communities. Pastoral care is to be distinguished from pastoral counseling, although it may include it, and from pastoral theology or practical theology, which are its theoretical counterparts.)

Dict. of pastoral care and counseling, 1990 (pastoral care and counseling: discusses distinction between pastoral care and pastoral counseling; "In earlier ... pastoral literature care and counseling were often used synonymously; their gradual distinction no doubt reflects the emergence of pastoral counseling as a specialized ministry")

McKim, D. Westminster dict. of theological terms, 1996.