PC403 - Pastoral Skills and Methods

  • 0 Standard Tuition Fee
  • 4
    Credit Points
  • 0.125 EFT 
  • 7
    AQF level
  • pastoral churchUnit Discipline

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

  1. The aims and methods of pastoral care
  2. The skills, models and methods of pastoral care
  3. Typical pastoral care contexts
  4. Community resources for pastoral care
  5. The administrative requirements of care

B. Be able to

  1. Explain the aims and methods of pastoral care
  2. Discuss the skills of pastoral care
  3. Analyse typical pastoral care contexts
  4. Observe and practise the methods and skills of pastoral care

C. Be in a position to

  1. Integrate perspectives from pastoral skills and methods with their other theological studies
  2. Commence a ministry of pastoral care
  3. Observe community standards in pastoral care, including referral and record keeping
  4. Maintain appropriate self care

Content

Section A: Pastoral Skills and Methods (40%)

  1. An introduction to aims and methods in pastoral care and pastoral counselling and their implications for Christian community.
  2. Relational skills; empathy, respect, concreteness, genuineness; listening skills.
  3. Equipping others; teaching, encouragement, recognition of abilities, training.
  4. Mechanics of care; administration, publicity, the various settings of care, record-keeping.

Section B: Pastoral Care in Particular Situations (60%)

In the topics studied below, attention should be paid not only to the needs of those in care but the carers’ own lives.

  1. Pastoral care of persons with special needs, including:
    1. the recognition of normal and abnormal conditions;
    2. the mentally ill;
    3. handicapped and disabled persons.
  2. Pastoral care of people in the following situations:
    1. marital disharmony and divorce;
    2. dying, death and bereavement; the grief process;
    3. depression.
  3. Pastoral care of those in crises, or with chronic conditions. Candidates study two of:
  1. alcoholism & drug dependence
  2. attempted suicide
  3. long-term illness
  4. child abuse and domestic violence
  5. AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases
  6. unemployment and work related stress
  7. those in trouble with the law
  8. financial or debt-related stress
  1. Community resources for pastoral care, including other helping professions; when to refer.

Set Readings

Augsburger, D. W., Helping People Forgive (Nashville: Westminster John Knox, 1996).

Benner, D., Strategic Pastoral Counselling (2nd ed.; Grand Rapids: Baker, 2003).

Buxton, G., Dancing in the Dark: the Privilege of Participating in the Ministry of Christ (Carlisle: Paternoster, 2001).

Capps, D., Giving Counsel: A Minister’s Guidebook (St Louis: Chalice, 2001).

Calhoun, G. J., Pastoral Companionship (New York: Paulist, 1986).

Carr, W., Handbook of Pastoral Studies (London: SPCK, 1997).

Claypool, J. R., The Hopeful Heart (Harrisburg: Morehouse, 2003).

Cloud, H. and J. Townsend, Boundaries in Marriage (Sydney: Strand, 1999).

Couture, P. D. and R. D. Hunter, Pastoral Care and Social Conflict (Nashville: Abingdon, 1995).

Culbertson, P, Caring for God’s People (Minneapolis: Fortress, 2000).

Dann, B., Addiction, Pastoral Responses (Nashville: Abingdon, 2002).

Dawn, M. J., The Unnecessary Pastor (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000).

de Paulo, J. R., What we Know and What You Can do about Depression (New York: John Wiley & Sons, 2002).

Everett, C. (ed.), Divorce and the Next Generation, Perspectives for Young Adults in the New Millennium (New York: Hawthorn, 2001).

Fawcett, J. (ed.), Stress, Trauma Handbook (Monrovia: World Vision, 2003).

Friberg, N. C. and M. R. Lasser, Before the Fall (Collegeville: Liturgical, 1998).

Goodliff, P., With Unveiled Face (London: Darton, Longman and Todd, 2005).

Harvey, R. W. and D. G. Benner, Understanding and Facilitating Forgiveness (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1996).

Howe, L., Comforting the Fearful (New York: Paulist, 2003).

Jacobs M., Swift to Hear (London: Darton, Longman and Todd, 1993).

Jacobs, M., Still Small Voice (London: SPCK, 2001).

Kirkwood, N. A., Pastoral Care in Hospitals (Sydney: EJ Dwyer, 1995).

Koenig, H. G. and A. J. Weaver, Pastoral Care of Older Adults (Minneapolis: Fortress, 1998).

McMinn, M. R. and T. R. Phillips, Care For The Soul: Exploring the Intersection of Psychology & Theology (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2001).

Moots, P., Becoming Barnabas (New York: Alban, 2004).

Moran, F. M., Listening, A Pastoral Style (Sydney: EJ Dwyer, 1997).

Shelp, E. E. and R. H. Sunderland, Sustaining Presence, A Model of Caring by People of Faith (Nashville: Abingdon, 2002).

Stairs, J., Listening for the Soul Minneapolis: Fortress, 2000).

TenBrook, G. W., Broken Bodies, Healing Hearts: Reflections of a Hospital Chaplain (New York: Haworth, 2000).

Williams, D. R. and J. A. Sturzl (eds), Grief Ministry: Helping Others Mourn (San Jose, CA: Resource, 2001).

 

Journals:

Ames, S. (ed.), Ministry Society and Theology (Victoria: Bulleen).

Curkpatrick, S. (ed.), Ministry, Society and Theology (Mulgrave, Victoria: Australian Association of Supervised Pastoral Education).

Honeycutt, R. H. (ed.), Review and Expositor (Louisville: Southern Baptist Theological Seminary).

Marshall, H. I. (ed.), Evangelical Quarterly, (Carlisle: Paternoster).

Nuncarrow, T. (ed.), Ministry Digest (Unley, SA: South Australia Mediacom).

Strunk and Orlo (eds), Journal of Pastoral Care (Kutztown: Journal of Pastoral Care).

Wallace, R. M. (ed.), Journal of Ministry in Addiction & Recovery (Binginamton: Haworth).