https://1drv.ms/w/c/8cdcbb48468814a7/EXBIz2DsLihDsy-QCFa6s7QBHOf6TQ3g4IMF7n-p90x-xQ?e=ELspre
Executive Summary
This study explores how institutional leadership supports integrating pastoral and spiritual care services across organizations in various global contexts. Using a quantitative research design, data were collected from 18 participants representing sectors such as education, healthcare, government, the military, hospitality, and oil and gas, drawn from the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Nigeria, South Korea, and Italy.
The research was guided by six survey questions assessing leadership support, policy alignment, collaboration, accessibility, inclusivity, and the overall impact of pastoral and spiritual care. Responses were rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree).
The findings revealed a high level of agreement across all indicators, showing that most institutions actively support and integrate pastoral or spiritual care within their organizational practices. Specifically, in the key areas of the assessment, the findings reflect the following results:
- Leadership Support: 79% of participants agreed or strongly agreed that leaders endorse pastoral care integration.
- Policy Alignment: 76% affirmed that spiritual care is reflected in their institution’s policies and mission statements.
- Collaboration: 79% reported effective interdisciplinary collaboration between spiritual care providers and other professionals.
- Accessibility: 84% agreed that pastoral or spiritual care is accessible to community members.
- Diversity and Inclusion: 74% agreed that institutional practices respect different faith traditions and worldviews.
- Overall Impact: 79% agreed that pastoral care positively contributes to community well-being.
These results demonstrate strong institutional and leadership commitment to spiritual care, particularly in accessibility and perceived impact. However, slightly lower ratings on inclusivity and policy integration indicate a need for clearer frameworks and broader recognition of diverse spiritual expressions.
The study concludes that spiritual and pastoral care are increasingly recognized as essential to holistic institutional well-being. Leadership commitment plays a decisive role in sustaining such integration. Recommendations include formalizing policies that support spiritual inclusivity, fostering cross-professional collaboration, and promoting leadership training that values human-centered, ethically grounded care.
Global evidence underscores that pastoral and spiritual care are vital to nurturing compassionate, ethical, and resilient institutional cultures, a key aspect of leadership that transcends geography, sector, and belief systems.