Towards a framework of pastoral care for marriage and family ministry to the middle-aged in Hong Kong, facing 1997

This dissertation attempts to provide a framework for self-understanding of a male pastor at his midlife and for understanding pastoral care of the middle-aged members within the "family of families," in face of the stressful 1997, the year when the rule of government of the existing British colony of Hong Kong will be handed back to the Chinese communist government.; Many people in Hong Kong get stuck in a process of social "death and dying," in facing 1997. Most, if not all, are under a state of "learned helplessness," (depression) and immense stress (anxiety). Many Christians perceive these social, political transitions and spiritual crises as opportunities for sharing "learned resourcefulness," providing support and promoting network.; The support that the church can render at this critical time may be offered in the form of pastoral care and counseling in the context of the marriage and family ministry in a local church (the Evangelical Free Church of China, Hong Fok chapel, in the community of Shatin, Hong Kong). Researched studies on marriage and family done in the West, as well as in Hong Kong, give great help in this regard.; Before providing caregiving to others, it is imperative for the caregivers to apprehend how adulthood, manhood, mid-lifehood, parenthood and fatherhood are at work within the marriage and family system. The informed and empowered pastoral caregivers can apply healing to themselves and their neighbors, both within and without the congregation.