PPC 521 99 Theology of Pastoral Care and Counseling

Summer 2009

Dr. Tim Barber LPCC-S
Office Location: Counseling Center
Phone Number 513-244-8615
Email: / 3 Credit Hours
Dates:
Location: Online

Description

A study of the biblical and theological foundation for pastoral care and counseling. Discussions include the history of pastoral care and counseling and current theological trends in the modern pastoral care and counseling movement.

Rationale:

This course will challenge the students to think critically about the nature of pastoral care and counseling.

Objectives:

A student that successfully completes this course will be able to:

  1. Articulate the historical development of key ideas of pastoral care and counseling.
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of pertinent issues impacting the effectiveness of the role of pastor and/or the pastoral counselor.
  3. Demonstrate an awareness of skills essential to effective pastoral care and counseling as well as skills essential to pastor/counselor self-care.

Requirements/Grading

  1. Grade Scale

The seminary grading scale will be used by this class. Please refer to the CCU Catalog.

Class Participation (16 reactions due) 10%

Weekly writing project (8 @ 8.75%) 70%

Research Paper 20%

  1. Attendance/Class Participation

This class is taught online. Attendance is assessed by the student’s active participation in discussion groups. Each student is expected to read and respond to a minimum of two of their fellow student’s posts each week. (Further defined below).

  1. Guidelines for Course Work

IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DETERMINE IF THIS IS THE RIGHT TIME TO TAKE THIS COURSE. The course assignments are planned to support your learning and none of them should be dismissed as unimportant.

  1. Guidelines on Missed Work or Exams:

Written assignments will be accepted late but there will be a 2% per day penalty on all late work. Work is due at 11:55 PM on the day noted.

In the event of illness or personal emergency the student assumes responsibility to contact the professor as soon as possible to make arrangements for work being submitted in a timely manner. The professor reserves the right to reduce the grade for late work.

  1. Three categories of reading are included in this class.
  1. Texts to be read in their entirety:

Doehring, C. (2006). The practice of pastoral care: a postmodern approach. Louisville: Westminister John Knox Press.

Gold, J. (2010). Counseling and spirituality: Integrating spiritual and clinical orientations. Columbus: Merrill.

Purves, A. (2001). Pastoral theology in the classical tradition. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press.

  1. Articles to be read in their entirety: (All of these are posted on Moodle or links will be provided to web sites containing assigned reading material).

De Jonhg van Arkel, J. T. (2000). Recent movements in pastoral theology. Religion and Theology. 7/2.

Kaeton, E. (1998). Pastoral care at the end of life: Listening for the question beneath the question. Journal of Palliative Medicine. Vol. 1 No. 3.

Wink, P. (1999). Addressing end-of-life issues: Spirituality and inner life. Generations Spr. 1999.

  1. Reserve Material: (recommended reading, but not required)

Texts:

Benner, D. G. (1998). Care of Souls: Revisioning Christian Nurture and Counsel. Grand Rapids: Baker Books.

Collins, G. R. (1993). The Biblical basis of Christian counseling for people helpers: Relating the basic teachings of Scripture to people’s problems. Colorado Springs: Navpress.

Harbaugh, G. L. (1984). Pastor as person: Maintaining personal integrity in the choices and challenges of ministry. Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House.

McMinn, M. R. & Phillips, T. R. (2001). Care for the soul: Exploring the intersection of psychology & theology. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Niklas, G. R. (1996). The making of a pastoral person. New York: Alba House.

Peterson, E. (1992). Five Smooth Stones. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

Peterson, E. (1989). The contemplative pastor: Returning to the art of spiritual direction. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

Seamands, Stephen. (2005). Ministry in the image of God: The Trinitarian shape of Christian service. Downers Grove: IVP Books.

Tiball, D. (2003). Skilfull shepherds: Explorations in pastoral theology. London: Apollos.

Articles/Web Sites:

Oden, T. C. (1984). Care of souls in the classic tradition. Retrieved from

Pargament, K. I., Smith, B. W., Koenig, H. G., Perez, L. (1999). Patterns of positive and negative religious coping with major life stressors. Journal of the Scientific Study of Religion.

Policy on Academic Integrity

If you cheat on an assignment or turn in work that is not your own you will receive a 0 for that work, and additional action may be taken by the counseling academic committee. Please refer to your seminary catalog for complete details on the seminary policy on academic integrity.

Methods and Procedures:

Components of this course include:

1)Written lessons will be provided by the instructor and made available via online. These lessons will serve as discussion guides to facilitate learning on the part of students. While lessons are provided by the instructor, this course is designed for learning to take place via reading, reflecting, and interaction with peers.

2)Each student will submit a weekly writing assignment. Each week a basic outline will be provided to students, based largely on the written lesson provided by the instructor. Students will submit a 3 – 5 page paper, in proper APA Style, on the topic suggested in the outline provided by the instructor. It is recommended that these assignments be composed on the student’s personal computer and saved. Each can be copied and pasted into the forums provided on Moodle and made available for fellow students to review and comment on.

3)Students will participate in forum discussions on a weekly basis. The purpose of these discussions is to interact and critique one another’s work. It is hoped that by providing constructive criticism collegial learning will take place. In other words, the purpose is not to criticize your fellow student’s work but rather to suggest alternative viewpoints, resources, or comments that will enable each student to edit their own work and produce a higher quality finished product (the written assignment). A minimum of two posts should be made weekly by each student. The instructor reserves the right to form groups or assign whose work is critiqued to ensure each student has equal and fair opportunities to receive feedback from peers.

4)Students will combine the 8 weekly writing projects into a Final Writing Project, submitted as a Word document at the end of the class. This document will be graded only by the instructor. The submission of this document should reflect editorial changes made at the suggestion of peers to reflect collegial learning. The paper should 24 — 40 pages in length, not counting Title Page, Table of Contents, or References.

Disclaimer:

The professor reserves the right to change or amend any part of this course plan as deemed necessary to offer the best possible educational experience for students.

It is the responsibility of each student to decide whether or not he or she can handle the amount of reading, and other assignments required for this course at this time.

Christian Component:

Throughout this course we will evaluate the material presented from a Christian perspective. We expect that you will evaluate all readings and class discussions from a Christian perspective and work to integrate biblical truth into your life, thought, and work. We will strive to provide a biblically based approach to ministry.

Class Schedule:

DATE / TOPIC / PRIMARY SOURCES
May 18 – May 24, 2009 /
  • History of Pastoral Care Counseling
/
  • Doehring (Chap.1)
  • Purves (Chaps. 1-2)
  • De Jonhg van Arkel, article

May 25 – May 31, 2009 /
  • Pastoral Care Counseling in the Postmodern Church
/
  • Doehring (Chap. 2)
  • Gold (Chaps. 1, 3, 4)
  • Purves (Chaps. 3-4)

June 1 – June 7, 2009 /
  • Spirituality in Pastoral Care & Counseling
/
  • Doehring (Chap. 3)
  • Gold (Chaps. 2, 5)
  • Purves (Chaps. 5- Concl. & Epilogue)

June 8 – June 14, 2009 /
  • A Theology of Change
/
  • Doehring (Chap. 4)
  • Gold (Chaps. 6-7)
  • Purves (Chaps. 3-4)

June 22 – June 28, 2009 /
  • Pastoral Care & Counseling in Times of Crisis and Grief
/
  • Doehring (Chap. 5)
  • Gold (Chaps. 8-9)
  • Purves (Chaps. 3-4)

June 29 – July 5, 2009 /
  • Theological Reflection in Pastoral Care & Counseling
/
  • Doehring (Chap. 6)
  • Gold (Chaps. 10-11)
  • Purves (Chaps. 3-4)
  • Keaton, article
  • Wink, article

July 6 – July 12, 2009 /
  • Care of the Family
/
  • Doehring (Chap. 7)
  • Gold (Chaps. 12-14)
  • Purves (Chaps. 3-4)

July 13 – July 19, 2009 /
  • Self-Care and Professional Development
/
  • Doehring (Chaps. 8-9)
  • Purves (Chaps. 3-4)

July 27, 2009 / Final Writing Project Due