Assignment Introduction and Context
This discussion parallels the initial discussion in Week 1. This intentional repetition will enable you to better reflect on how you have evolved in this course. Resist the temptation to review your answers from that assignment prior to writing your response to this one.
For this assignment, make sure you post your initial response to the Discussion Area by the due date assigned.
Tasks
In 400–500 words, post to the Discussion Area your responses to the questions below:
Having concluded your in-depth study of the biblical, theological, pastoral, and societal basis for pastoral thanatology, reconsider the following:
How do you categorize the varying roles of the medical, political, cultural, and faith communities within your sphere of influence?
To what extent does each have a separate task in relation to thanatology?
In what ways do you see them interacting, overlapping, or collaborating in service to the dying and the bereaved?
How do your answers differ from those you gave in response to the similar assignment in Week 1? What conclusions or observations are suggested by your comparison of the two responses?
What are the needs of your community’s population of the dying (i.e., all human persons) and the bereaved and the services, teams, or organizations currently dedicated to meeting some portion of those needs? From this research, determine where and what the gaps are between needs and services.
What additional services, teams, or organizations do you see needed? How would you go about building a team to provide support, assistance, and, eventually, additional practitioners of pastoral thanatology to fulfill those needs?