ABSTRACT
This chapter explains Cunningham's lead and make the suggestion that polyphony is an imprint of the triune God in the ministry of care. That is, authentic pastoral relationships constitute a reflection or a paralleling of the polyphonic relationality in the Godhead. Polyphony is a musical term which denotes the simultaneous singing or playing of two or more melodic lines that fit together as equally important parts in the overall structure of a piece. Cunningham goes on to suggest that a theological perspective informed by polyphony would challenge any view that claims that any two contrastive categories must necessarily work against each other. Pastoral care is a demanding and subtle ministry because of its polyphonic nature. The caregiver needs an interpersonal style in which contrastive qualities are held together in a homogeneous manner. Alastair Campbell has provided us with three central images for pastoral ministry. Many theorists and practitioners of pastoral care have found them extremely helpful.
