Pastoral Counseling

This a beginning foundational course in pastoral theology and psychology for those interested in the work of pastoral ministry in a variety of expressions – the parish pastor, the chaplain, the pastoral counselor.

This course serves as an introduction to the field of Ministry and Leadership Studies. Attention is given to the larger cultural context in which the church finds itself at the beginning of the 21st century; pastoral skills,; current issues in the church such as language for God and human beings; gender, race and class; vocation and calling; thinking, reflecting, and writing theologically; and personal spiritual discernment. Students develop a statement on calling and vocation, and set learning goals for their theological education based on their degree program goals. The course also includes instruction in developing a portfolio in preparation for the Mid-Degree Review and information on Mentored Practice.

This is a beginning foundational course in pastoral theology and psychology for those interested in the work of pastoral ministry in a variety of expressions – the pastoral counselor, the parish pastor, and the professional chaplain. Students will develop their own creative image for pastoral theology and care, and they will also gain experience in using the Case Study method with colleagues. The first half of the course focuses on various approaches to pastoral theology, while the second half provides an introductory overview of pastoral psychology, with focused attention in two contemporary critical areas: family systems theory and its relationship to pastoral work, and pastoral work in relation to addiction/codependency/recovery issues (BTS course number PTP1740).

This week-long intensive class explores some basic themes and questions important for the overall work of specialized ministry with older adults. A major goal of the class is to begin working towards each student's articulation of a pastoral theology of ministry with elders for the purpose of undergirding and informed ministry. Another goals of the course is very practical: for students to have some pastoral conversations with elders in an arranged ministry placement (Senior Centre, Nursing Home, and Parish, Retirement community or other setting that allows conversational access to seniors) in order to increase their ministry skills with older adults, as well as to take another look at the theory and theology discussed in class with an eye to its application and usefulness in actual practice.

This course is under development at Husson University. A comparable course description can be found in the Bangor Theological Seminary < http://catalog.bts.edu/ > catalog under course number MP 1718-1719.

This course is under development at Husson University. A comparable course description can be found in the Bangor Theological Seminary < http://catalog.bts.edu/ > catalog under course number SFD 1728.

This course is under development at Husson University and Bangor Theological Seminary.