2nd Presentation
Pastoral Counseling and Hyojeong Pastoral Visits
True Sons and Daughters, True Owners of Cheon Il Guk, Who Resemble the Creator Heavenly Parent
December 11, 2025
Heavenly Korea Family Federation
Rev. Song In-yeong, Ansan Church
Table of Contents
01
Understanding True Parents’ Words and our Responsibility as True Children of Cheon Il Guk
True Owners of Cheon Il Guk Resembling the Creator, Heavenly Parent
04
Understanding the Definition of Pastoral Counseling and How It Differs from General Counseling
Definition and Characteristics of Pastoral Counseling
02
Understanding the Definition of Ministry, the Role of the Church, and the Motivation for [Taking] Responsibility
The Essence and Meaning of Ministry
05
Categories of Pastoral Counseling and Exploration of Four of Its Functions
Structure and Function of Pastoral Counseling
03
The Roles of Representative, Envoy and Spokesperson and Nurturing Cheon Il Guk Citizens
Characteristics and Goals of Family Federation Pastors
06
Applying Attention-Focusing Techniques and the Seven-Question Technique of Solution-Focused Counseling
Counseling Techniques and Application
This lecture looks at the essence of ‘Pastoral Counseling’ and the practice of ‘Hyojeong Pastoral Visits’. It examines methods for pastors approaching those being counseled with the heart of Heavenly Parent, and counseling techniques that assist others in living as a citizen of Cheon Il Guk. Based on True Parent’s spirit of ‘living for the sake of others,’ this course presents the characteristics and application methods of ‘Pastoral Counseling’.
Let us become true owners of Cheon Il Guk who practice true love in resemblance to our Creator, the Heavenly Parent.
(True Mother’s New Year Motto January 1, 2014)
In the 13th year of Cheon Il Guk, when we attend the Creator Heavenly Parent substantially, let us, the blessed families around the world, become true sons and daughters of Cheon Il Guk who fulfill our responsibility as the chosen people in unity with True Parents.
(True Mother’s New Year Motto January 1, 2025)
True Owners of Cheon Il Guk Resembling the Creator, Heavenly Parent
Practice of True Love
- Practitioner of true Love resembling Heavenly Parent
- A model of ‘living for the sake of others’
- Practicing love in daily life as a True Owner of Cheon Il Guk
- Embodying True Parents’ teachings in everyday life
Responsibility as Chosen People
- Identity as the chosen people united with True Parents
- Fulfilling the responsibility and mission of a Blessed Family
- Taking active roles for the settlement of Cheon Il Guk
- Life of fulfilling Heaven’s Will as True Children
The Essence and Meaning of Pastoral Work
Business Strategy 2055
The Motivation for Taking Responsibility Lies with God
Human beings have responsibilities desired by the mind and responsibilities desired by the body. What, then, is the responsibility desired by the mind? It is to center on God's purpose—who bestowed all these responsibilities—and to fulfill that purpose. Therefore, the mind must command us to fulfill such responsibilities. Thus, we realize that our mind exists to give such commands and exists to accomplish God's purpose.
(From “The Way of a Pastor”)
What is the Purpose of the Church
What is the church for? It is a place to form and cultivate character. The church is necessary because of the Fall. It does not end with the family and society. Restoring character cannot be done like that. Graduating from university and receiving a doctorate does not mean one's character is restored. That is why the church is necessary.
� (From “The Way of a Pastor”)
Love within the Relationship Established by God
Our relationship is something that all people in history have yearned for. Such a connection is contained within the word 'Shik-gu' (family member). Because we have appeared with such a core relationship, even when in a position to love directly, we must love with a bond of love closer than anyone else. Furthermore, even if we are positioned to love indirectly, we must love from a position higher than anyone else in the world.
(From “The Way of a Pastor”)
The essence of ministry is to accomplish God’s purpose. The mind must give commands in order to fulfill God’s purpose, and the body must act according to those commands. The motivation for taking responsibility comes from God.
Characteristics and Goals of Family Federation Pastors
Business Strategy 2055
1. Representative (代身者)
- Representative (代身者):
One who serves and attends on behalf of Heavenly Parent
- Envoy (代使者):
One who has the mission to convey Heaven's Will
- Spokesperson (代言者):
One who conveys the God’s Word on another’s behalf
- Representing True Parents’ heart and will
2. Inheritor (相續者)
3. Benedictor (祝禱者)
Cheon Il Guk Citizens and Blessed Families as Chosen People
- Raising True Sons and Daughters who resemble the Creator, Heavenly Parent
- Foster True Owners who practice living for the sake of others
- Raising True Sons and Daughters who fulfill their responsibilities as a chosen people
- Foster citizens for the era of the firm settlement of Cheon Il Guk
Business Strategy 2055
Definition and Characteristics of Pastoral Counseling
What is Pastoral Counseling?
Fundamental Mindset of Pastoral Counseling
Business Strategy 2055
Differences between General Counseling and Pastoral Counseling
Similiarities
Differences
- Helping to function as a healthy human being
- Providing counselees with opportunities for problem-solving
- Conducting inquiries and research on people
- Professionalism for problem-solving and prevention
- Emphasis on building a relationship of trust with the counselee
- Utilizing the counselor's professional knowledge and skills
- Respecting the counselee's autonomy and choices
- Placing the final purpose on the
salvation of the soul
The counselor must approach the counselee with the heart of True Parents. The counselor's mental attitude has a significant impact not only on the client but also on the results of the counseling.
Attitude of the Pastoral Counselor
The Pastoral Counselor must possess the correct posture and attitude toward the client.
The Heart of a True Parent
Empathy and Respect
Holistic Interest
Carl Rogers
Business Strategy 2055
Student Counseling
Child Counseling
- Guiding emotionally confused children
- Solving general problems according to age
- Identifying early signs in delinquent boys and girls
- Guiding the child to Christ (True Parents)
- Support the healing of the relationship with parents
- Providing opportunities for the child to experience Heavenly Parent's love
Business Strategy 2055
Categories of Pastoral Counseling
Family Counseling
Adult Counseling
- Understanding the period of chaos in adolescence
- Supporting the setting of life goals
- Providing adult education for teenagers
- Education and career guidance
- Teaching the meaning of purity
- Guiding toward God's Will
- Counseling on practical marriage problems
- Guidance regarding first marriage and remarriage
- Solving problems in the life of faith
- Counseling on economic problems
- Supporting preparation for old age
- Forming harmonious relationships in married life
- Counseling on child education problems
- Guiding a harmonious family life of faith
- Counseling on welfare issues for the elderly/weak
- Supporting the resolution of family discord
- Helping to establish a Cheon Il Guk family culture
Pastoral counseling is classified into various forms according to the target and purpose. Each category provides a specialized approach according to the counselee’s age, situation, and nature of the problem. The pastor must understand these categories and choose the counseling method most suitable for the counselee. Additionally, methods can be divided into individual counseling, group counseling, complex counseling, etc.
Business Strategy 2055
Functions of Pastoral Counseling
Healing
Sustaining
Reconciling
- Repairing broken relationships between people
- Seeking the recovery of the relationship between people and God
- Dealing with the counselee's confession of sin and forgiveness
- Supporting reconciliation with God through existential counseling
Educating
- Providing necessary knowledge and information to the counselee
- Educating on values and principles of faith
- Giving practical guidelines for a Cheon Il Guk lifestyle
- Educating on a lifestyle by which one resembles Heavenly Parent
Guiding
- Presenting direction to a person who is in confusion
- Supporting confident choices between action and thought
- Guidance through advice, listening, warnings, etc.
- Includes short-term decision making, marriage counseling, etc
Eye Contact
- Eye contact that conveys attention
- But avoid staring excessively
Facing Squarely
- Communicate your desire to for a conversation
- Create a safe environment
- Aligning with the partner (shoulder-to-shoulder)�
Leaning Forward
- Projecting Active Listening
- Leaning Forward to Show Interest
Open Mindset
- Keep your Arms and Legs uncrossed
- Sit with a smile and an open and upright posture
The technique of attention training begins with listening carefully and focusing all one’s interest on the counselee. If the counselor, both mentally and physically, does not completely focus on the counselee, then the counseling will face difficulties from the start.
(
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Counseling Techniques (1)
Effective counseling requires the utilization of appropriate techniques. Especially, attention skills play an important role in forming a trust relationship with the counselee. The counselor's non-verbal action can have a more powerful influence than verbal messages. Through attention training, a counselor can develop the ability to empathize deeply with the counselee’s story and listen effectively.
Business Strategy 2055
Non-verbal Expression
- Physical Behavior: Posture, Gestures, Movements etc.
-Physical Characteristics: Physique, Height, Weight, General Appearance, etc.�-Overall Appearance: Attire, Shoes etc.
Business Strategy 2055
Solution-Focused Therapy Techniques for Counseling
Discovering changes before the counseling
Question to discover the counselee's potential through observing changes that occurred before the counseling appointment.
e.g., Have you experienced any change since the time you made the appointment and coming here today?
Fulfilling Question
Question to grasp positive changes as the result of counseling and to accordingly set concrete goals.
e.g., What would need to improve for you to say that ‘coming here for counseling was worthwhile’?
Exception Question
Question to discover moments when things were going well that you did not know of, and to reinforce such positive direction.
e.g., When was the last time the problem did not occur? e.g., What has gotten better?
Miracle Question
Question to induce hope and search for solutions by having the counselee imagine a solution and a future situation where the problem is solved.
e.g., If by a miracle the problem that brought you here was miraculously solved while you were sleeping, how would you know?
Scaling Question
Question the scale of resolution for problem solving, concretizing and reinforcing the process of change
e.g., On a scale of 0 to 10, (10 the problem is solved and 0 problem is not at all solved) what score would you give yourself today?
Coping Question
Question to help the counselee, through recalling appropriate experiences, realize that he or she possesses coping skills.
e.g., Until now, how did you endure through difficult situations?
Relationship Question
Question to help the counselee see him- or herself from the perspective of a significant other and help him or her to grasp that other person’s thoughts or behavior.
e.g., If your mother noticed that you had changed, what parts do you think she would see and speak about?
Pastoral Counseling
Hyojeong
Pastoral Visits
See you in a moment~
Hyojeong
Pastoral Visits
Guide for Pastors and the Visiting Team
December 11, 2025
Heavenly Korea Family Federation
Rev. Song In-yeong, Ansan Church
Table of Contents
- Etymological Meaning of Pastoral Visits (Shimbang, 尋訪)
- Various Meanings and Interpretations
1. Concept of Pastoral Visits
- Definition and Essence of Pastoral Visits
- Purpose of Pastoral Visits
- Part of Fulfilling the Purpose of Salvation
2. Meaning and Purpose of Pastoral Visits
- Establishing Personal and Family Relationships
- Diagnosis of Spiritual/Secular Realms
- The Role as a Bridge for Pastoral Activities
3. Value of Pastoral Visits
- Positive Aspects
- Negative Arguments
- Perspectives of Pastors and Members
4. Necessity of Pastoral Visits
- Methods and Principles of Pastoral Visits
- Attitude for Pastoral Visits
- Tips for Effective Pastoral Visits
5. Method and Principle of Pastoral Visits
6. Types of Pastoral Visits and �Path to Improvement
Concept of Pastoral Visits
Etymological Meaning
- OT: 'Paqad (פקד)' - Meaning 'to look after/care for'
- NT: 'Episkeptomai (ἐπισκέπτομαι)' - ‘To visit', ‘To take care of, ‘to advise’
- In the Bible, it signifies the act of God coming to find His people
- The act of a pastor visiting members on behalf of God
Meaning in the Bible
Other Meanings
Meaning and Purpose of Pastoral Visits
The fundamental meaning of pastoral visits stems from God coming to find people, advising them, and saving sinners It is the act of a pastor or person in charge of such visits to seek out the members and provide spiritual care through comfort, exhortation, and fellowship.
- A pastoral act conveying God's love and concern
- A pastoral activity helping and encouraging members in their lives of faith.
As a part of fulfilling the purpose of salvation, it is the work of the visitor visiting the individuals in special circumstances to share spiritual fellowship and help them.
Purpose of Pastoral Visits
Pastoral visits are an important pastoral activity that strengthens the relationship between the pastor and the member and helps members’ spiritual growth. A pastoral visit is an act of practicing God's love and fulfilling the members’ needs.
- Alleviating the psychological burdens of the members
- Helping the spiritual growth of members with weak faith
- Comfort and encouragement to members facing difficulties
Pastoral care for spiritual growth and strengthening faith
- Delivering God's love through pastoral visits
- Providing practical help for members’ lives of faith
- Strengthening the sense of community and forming bonds
Sharing love through Pastoral Visits
Value of Pastoral Visits
Establishing a Relationship
- Diagnosis possible in the secular realm
- Grasping the state of the spiritual realm
- Discovering obstacles to the growth of faith
- Customized spiritual care
Spiritual Diagnosis
- Infusing vitality into sermons
- Collecting sermon materials that is connected to real life
- Preparing Words that fit the needs of the congregation
- Effective messages
Strengthening Sermons
Pastoral Bridge
Negative Views on the Necessity of Pastoral Visits
Negative and positive views on the necessity of pastoral visits coexist. Understanding the negative views helps in identifying obstacles for pastoral visits and developing effective methods..
- Lack of time to visit.
- The thought that giving good sermons is enough.
- Concern about making members dependent on the pastor
- Difficulty in meeting members
- Judging that members do not want pastoral visits
Pastor’s Viewpoint
- Does not want to reveal private life
- Lack of time to meet
- Does not feel the necessity of pastoral visits
- Burden of preparing for a pastoral visit
- Regarding meeting with the pastor as a burden
Member’s Viewpoint
Church Member’s Viewpoint
Spiritual Meaning of Pastoral Visits
Pastor’s Viewpoint
Positive Views on the Necessity of Pastoral Visits
Despite negative views, pastoral visits are regarded as an important part in pastoral activities. Through pastoral visits, both the pastor and the members can receive big help in spiritual growth and forming a faith community.
- Pastoral visits are God’s instruction and a pastoral responsibility
- Opportunity to directly grasp members’ situations
- Can heal members’ spiritual and psychological problems
- Possible to secure good sermon material from real life experiences
- Becomes an opportunity for witnessing
- Can directly resolve members' complaints and difficulties
- Desire to receive the pastor’s blessing (benediction) directly
- Desire to receive the pastor's help regarding personal faith problems
- Need counseling for family or personal problems
- Desire for guidance and encouragement for spiritual growth
- Hope to strengthen the sense of belonging to the community
- Reflects the image of God coming to find the people
- Act of representing True Parents, following their example
- Strengthening faith through spiritual fellowship between members
- Promoting unity and harmony of the church community
- Method of practicing God's love substantially
- Grasping information about the member
- Preparing appropriate words (teachings) and praise
- Set a clear purpose for pastoral visits
- Spiritual preparation through prayer
- Make an appointment before visiting
- Preparing pastoral visit cards
- Make the pastoral visit approach suitable for the member
Progress
Conclusion
- Don’t stay too long
- Lead into spiritual conversation
- Show interest in each family member
- Maintain an attitude of listening
- Avoid arguments
- Refrain from confrontational questions
- Do not treat them like a patient
- Briefly read the Word
- Finish with a prayer
- Leave a pastoral visit record
- Leave a pastoral visit card (if the member is absent)
- Leave a letter or contact again if necessary
- Plan follow-up
- Write a pastoral visit report
Preparation
Method and Principle of Pastoral Visits
Systematic methods and principles are needed for effective pastoral visits. Pastoral visits are not simple visits but a process of spiritual care, requiring a careful approach at each stage, from preparation to conclusion.
Types of Pastoral Visits and Their Targets
- Conducted regularly in Spring and Fall
- Composed of 3-4 people including Pastor, Encourager, etc.
- Caution not to burden the family you are visiting
- Proceed according to a regular yearly plan
Grand Pastoral Visits
- Families missed during the grand pastoral visits
Members (Target)
- Visits to regions, workplaces, schools, business sites
Pastoral Visits
- Prior appointment is essential
- Emphasize individual approach
General Pastoral Visits
- For members who have not attended church for a long time
- Families missed out during grand pastoral visits
- Secure sufficient time
- Conduct conversation that is not rigid
- Focus on encouraging restoration
Long-term Absentee Pastoral Visits
- Kindergarten age, young children, student department, youth department, etc.
- Consider the characteristics of each department
- Approach method suitable for the age group
- Doing group and individual pastoral visits simultaniously
- Emphasize the aspect of faith education
Institution and Departmental Pastoral Visits
- Pastoral visits for special occasions: family events (weddings/funerals) occur.
- Hospital pastoral visits: Comforting patients
- New member pastoral visits: Guiding faith
- Provide comfort and courage
- Suggest wise alternatives
- Customized approach according to the situation
Special Pastoral Visits
- Warmly greet the family being visited
- Start conversation with a listening attitude
- Express interest in all family members
- Create a comfortable atmosphere
- Briefly explain the purpose of the visit
1. Welcome
- Offer praise and bow together
- Recite the Family Pledge together
- Prayer of gratitude
- Create a spiritual atmosphere
2. Worship
- Hoondokhae
- Reading the words with everyone
- Conveying a spiritual lesson
- Q&A time
3. Word
- Method of applying the Word in daily life
- Suggest concrete plans for practice
- Finish with a benediction for the family
- Discuss the plan for a subsequent pastoral visit
4. Work
Process of Hyojeong Pastoral Visits
Hyojeong pastoral visits proceed in a systematic order. Through the 4W stages of Welcome, Worship, Word, and Work, spiritual fellowship
and care take place. Each stage is an important element that heightens the effect of a pastoral visit.
Direction for the Improvement of Hyojeong Pastoral Visits
: Redefine the concept of pastoral visits from a one-sided visit to a mutual encounter
: Creating a pastoral visit culture where members participate voluntarily
: Form relationships and provide care for faith in advance, before problems occur
: Customized pastoral visits tailored to members’ needs and situations
: Expanding lay participation in the pastoral visit ministry
: Developing online pastoral visit methods utilizing digital platforms such as Zoom, SNS, etc.
All humankind is now waiting for the True Parents.�We must become true sons and daughters who inherit the love, life, and lineage of the True Parents. Only then will the doors to genuine happiness and eternal life open to us.
『Mother of Peace 300pg』
Thank you~~~ ^^