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New pastoral care training in Cologne: volunteers wanted!
New training for voluntary pastoral care starts in Cologne in September. 150 hours for people with empathy and commitment.
New pastoral care training in Cologne: volunteers wanted!
In Cologne, the importance of voluntary pastoral care is increasingly being recognized. New training courses will start in mid-September for all those who would like to get involved in this important area. The training is organized in the Evangelical Church Association of Cologne and the region in Kartäusergasse. Here the participants are prepared for the challenges of pastoral care in a total of 150 hours - divided over one year Cologne City Gazette reported.
The training takes place in different formats, including weekend and evening seminars. In these, future pastors learn about important topics ranging from death and grief to illness and loneliness to life crises and suicidal tendencies. It's no secret that demand for pastoral care services has increased in recent years - around 70 people have already attended the courses. In order to meet this increasing demand, capacity will be increased through the new training positions.
Conditions and requirements
It is important to know that there are no restrictions regarding denomination, age, gender or professional background. However, in order to be able to actively participate, those interested need a few prerequisites: openness, empathy and psychological resilience are required, as is the ability to reflect on one's own experiences and active listening. The seminar content is designed in such a way that it expands both ethical and factual skills.
The future of pastoral care will also be shaped by long-term plans. The establishment of queer-sensitive pastoral care is on the agenda in order to meet different needs. A concrete schedule envisages the next pastoral care course for the beginning of 2026, although applications are already possible. Participants can also benefit from accompanying supervision and training opportunities to further develop their skills. Contacting us is easy via the email address seelsorge-bildung.kirche-koeln@ekir.de or by telephone on 0176 23743554.
Voluntary pastoral care in context
Voluntary pastoral care is playing an increasingly larger role in society and is in demand in many areas. This includes both inpatient and outpatient hospital pastoral care, telephone counseling, hospice and palliative care as well as various visiting services in church communities. According to that Pastoral Care Center Volunteers bring with them valuable life and experience skills that are of great importance in pastoral environments.
The basic training, which ends with certification, includes essential elements such as clarifying one's own role and mission, practicing pastoral conversation and reflecting on one's own spiritual competence. Learning together in groups further supports this process. These offers are not just intended for newcomers - existing groups also benefit from special training and further education modules that are tailored to their respective needs.
As the Church volunteering emphasizes, there are also advisory services for groups and individuals that promote exchange and support in pastoral work. At a time when lives are becoming more complex, the contribution of volunteer pastors is invaluable. The training at the Evangelical Church Association of Cologne and the region offers the right framework and the necessary skills.