Pastoral worker jobs in Finland
Pastoral workers support religious communities. They provide spiritual education and guidance and implement programmes such as charity works and religious rites. Pastoral workers also assist ministers and help participants in the religious community with social, cultural or emotional problems.
Pastoral worker - Which skills are essential?
Provide services for charity causes, or perform an independent activity related to community service, such as providing food and shelter, performing fundraising activities for charitable causes, gathering support for charity, and other charitable services.
Establish affectionate and long-lasting relationships with local communities, e.g. by organising special programms for kindergarden, schools and for dissabled and older people, raising awareness and receiving community appreciation in return.
Establish a connection between organisations or individuals which may benefit from communicating with one another in order to facilitate an enduring positive collaborative relationship between both parties.
Perform the ritual acts and apply the traditional religious texts during ceremonial events, such as funerals, confirmation, baptism, birth rites and other religious ceremonies.
Assist individuals and groups seeking guidance in their religious convictions, or support in their spiritual experience, so that they are affirmed and confident in their faith.
Respond to enquiries and requests for information from other organisations and members of the public.
Observe the set of rules establishing the nondisclosure of information except to another authorised person.
Mentor individuals by providing emotional support, sharing experiences and giving advice to the individual to help them in their personal development, as well as adapting the support to the specific needs of the individual and heeding their requests and expectations.
Promote events, attendance to religious services and ceremonies, and the participation in religious traditions and festivities in a community in order to enhance the role religion plays in that community.
Pastoral worker - Which skills are useful but not essential?
Assist and guide social service users to resolve personal, social or psychological problems and difficulties.
Interpret the contents and messages of religious texts in order to develop spiritually and help others in their spiritual development, to apply the appropriate passages and messages during services and ceremonies, or for theological learning.
Coordinate the provision of charity services to a community or institution in need, such as the recruitment of volunteers and staff, allocation of resources, and managing the activities.
Perform public functions as a representative of a religious institution, which strive to promote the institution and its activities and strive for accurate representation and inclusion in umbrella organisations.
Manage volunteers' tasks, recruitment, programmes and budgets.
Manage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the workers to meet the company objectives. Monitor and measure how an employee undertakes their responsibilities and how well these activities are executed. Identify areas for improvement and make suggestions to achieve this. Lead a group of people to help them achieve goals and maintain an effective working relationship among staff.
Create and develop educational resources for visitors, school groups, families and special interest groups.
Deliver programmes for young people related to topics such as health, fitness, smoking, drugs, gangs, violence, bullying and relationships.
The various psychological counselling, training and coaching methods for persons of all ages, groups and organizations considering medical aspects.
Perform activities which will raise funds for an organisation or campaign, such as speaking with the public, gathering funds during fundraising or other general events, and using online fundraising tools.
Principles of estimating and planning of forecasts for business activity, compile regular budget and reports.
Show empathy in order to prevent any kind of symbolic violence and isolation and to guarantee a considerate attention to everyone. It should include a capacity to understand various verbal and non-verbal communication of sentiment and feeling.
Ensure administrative systems, processes and databases are efficient and well managed and give the sound basis to work together with the administrative officer/staff/professional.
Show sensibility towards cultural differences by taking actions which facilitate positive interaction between international organisations, between groups or individuals of different cultures, and to promote integration in a community.
Plan, perform and supervise educational activities for a variety of audiences, such as for school children, university students, specialist groups, or members of the public.
Coping strategies in crisis cases which allow individuals to overcome their problems or fears and avoid psychological distress and breakdown.
Compose work-related reports that support effective relationship management and a high standard of documentation and record keeping. Write and present results and conclusions in a clear and intelligible way so they are comprehensible to a non-expert audience.
Practice principles related to group behaviour, trends in society, and influence of societal dynamics.
Clean equipment and tools according to set traditions and rites, handling the materials as prescribed.
Initiate fundraising activities managing the place, teams involved, causes and budgets.
Teach the content and interpretation methods of religious texts in order to facilitate spiritual or theological learning.
Reinforce positive behaviour in people during rehabilitation and counseling activities, to ensure that the person takes the necessary actions for positive results in a positive manner, so that they remain encouraged to continue their efforts and reach goals.
Follow up volunteer activity.
Perform the necessary actions for the preparation of religious services and ceremonies, such as gathering the necessary props and materials, cleaning tools, writing and practicing sermons and other speeches, and other preparation activities.