PC443 - Pastoral Care Field Education

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

Exclusions

Candidates may take two only of units PC442-444, and DM440-442.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

  1. The dimensions of pastoral care
  2. The ministry of pastoral care

B. Be able to

  1. Discuss the dimensions of pastoral care
  2. Analyse the ministry of pastoral care
  3. Under supervision, participate in the ministry of pastoral care in a local congregation
  4. Assess the ministry of pastoral care as Observed in a local congregation

C. Be in a position to

  1. Integrate perspectives from their other theological studies with an approach to pastoral care
  2. To provide pastoral care in a ministry setting as a reflective practitioner

Content

The total demand hours of this unit are 160 hours, to consist of:

Section A:  Theoretical Study

  1. Pastoral visitation: congregational members, families, the sick, the home-bound, and those with fringe contacts.
  2. The pastoral care of new believers; assimilation into the life, work and witness of the church.
  3. Pastoral opportunities provided by enquiries for the baptism or blessing of children; preparation of candidates for communicant membership.
  4. An introduction to ministry to the dying and bereaved, including the preparation and conduct of funerals; follow-up or the bereaved.

 

Section B:  Field Work

  1. The supervisory relationship; the supervisory session, learning covenants; evaluation; Field Committees.
  2. EITHER
    not less than 117 hours’ experience (with supervision) in a local congregation;
    OR
    a period of continuous residence (with supervisor) of not less than six weeks’ duration in a local congregation.

In all cases:

  1. Approximately 117 hours are to be spent in actual ministry, including preparation for and participation in the conduct of regular church services, and involvement in some aspect of the congregation’s service to its community;
  2. Approximately 17hrs are to be spent in reflection and the writing of reports and verbatims for supervisors. Such reflection must include comments from local congregation leaders;
  3. Approximately 13 hours are to be spent in theoretical study;
  4. Approximately 13 hours are to be spent meeting with an approved supervisor on an individual basis.

Notes:

  1. Section A should entail approximately 12–14 class hours, at an introductory level only.
  2. If PC403/603 has been or is currently being taken, topic 4 need not be studied here.
  3. If PC442 has been or is currently being taken, topic 5 need not be studied here.
  4. It is the responsibility of approved institutions to ensure that candidates’ supervisors are appropriate, and trained in Field Education supervision methods.

Set Readings

Prescribed:

Bass, D. C. (ed.), For Life Abundant: Practical Theology, Theological Education, and Christian Ministry (Grand Rapids, Mich: Eerdmans, 2008).

Johnson, A., Shaping Spiritual Leaders: Supervision and Formation in Congregations (Herndon, VA: Alan, 2007).

Malphurs, A., A New Kind of Church: Understanding Models of Ministry for the 21st Century (Grand Rapids, Mich: Baker, 2007).

 

Recommended:

Allen, R. J., Preaching and Practical Ministry (St. Louis: Chalice, 2001).

Brian, P. R., Going the Distance: How to Stay Fit for a Lifetime of Ministry (Kingsford: Matthias Media, 2006).

Carl, W. J. (ed.), Best Advice: Wisdom on Ministry from 30 Leading Pastors and Preachers (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2009).

Carroll, J. W. God’s Potters: Pastoral Leadership and the Shaping of Congregations (Grand Rapids, Mich: Eerdmans, 2006).

Drane, J. W., After McDonaldization: Mission, Ministry and Christian Discipleship in an Age of Uncertainty (Grand Rapids, Mich: Baker, 2008).

Elias, J. W., Remembering the Future: The Pastoral Theology of Paul the Apostle (Scottsdale, PA: Herald, 2006).

Herrington, J., Creech, R. R. and Taylor, T. The Leader’s Journey: Accepting the Call to Personal and Congregational Transformation (San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 2003).

Hillman, G. M., Preparing for Ministry: A Practical Guide for Theological Field Education (Grand Rapids, Mich: Kregel, 2008).

Hotchkiss, D., Governance and Ministry: Rethinking Board Leadership (Herndon, VA: Alban Institute, 2008).

Laniak, T. S., Shepherds after My Heart: Pastoral Traditions and Leadership in the Bible (Downers Grove, Ill: Intervarsity Press, 2006).

Piper, J. B., We Are Not Professionals: A Plea to Pastors for Radical Ministry (Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 2002).

Steinke, P. L., Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times: Being Calm and Courageous No Matter What (Herndon, VA: Alban, 2006).

Steinke, P. L., Healthy Congregations: A Systems Approach (Herndon, VA: Alban, 2006).

Stott, J. R. W., The Living Church: Convictions of a Lifelong Pastor (Nottingham: IVP, 2007).

Tidball, D. J., Ministry by the Book: New Testament Patterns for Pastoral Leadership (Nottingham: Apollos, 2008).

Thompson, J., Pastoral Ministry According to Paul: A Biblical Vision (Grand Rapids, Mich: Baker, 2006).

Willimon, W. H., Calling and Character: Virtues of the Ordained Life (Nashville: Abingdon, 2002).

Willimon, W. H., Pastor: A Reader for Ordained Ministry (Nashville: Abingdon, 2002).

Wood, C. M., Attentive to God: Thinking Theologically about Ministry (Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 2008).