Fall 2017/Online
PM504
Buxton
PM504: PASTORAL MINISTRY (4 Units: 160 hours). Graham Buxton.
DESCRIPTION: PM504 is a survey of pastoral ministry, focusing on the ideas, skills, and personal development necessary for a student to learn various aspects of pastoral care. This is not a course in pastoral counseling. The course prepares students to give care both in congregational contexts and in contexts that go beyond the congregation (e.g. nonprofit organizations).
LEARNING OUTCOMES: After successful completion of this course, students will be able to (1) describe pastoral care in the context of church life and ministry including pastoral triage; (2) demonstrate a sense of empathy and active listening skills; (3) reflect upon the practice of self-care and develop a plan for self-development; (4) demonstrate skills for theological reflection on the praxis of pastoral ministry; and (5) will have completed an approved online course in mandated reporting.
COURSE FORMAT:This course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar for a total of 40 instructional hours. Students are required to interact with the material, with each other, and with the instructor regularly through online discussions, reading, and other assignments that promote active learning. The class will include lectures, and small group discussions.
REQUIRED READING: ~1250 pages (885 pages from the required reading section PLUS 375-428 pages from one of the books in each of the two other reading sections below – narrative and multicultural)
Buxton, Graham. Dancing in the Dark: The Privilege of Participating in God’s Ministry in the World. Wipf & Stock, 2016. ISBN: 978-1498221160, Pub. Price $39.00 [~300 pp.].
DeGroat, Chuck. Toughest People to Love: How to Understand, Lead, and Love the Difficult People in Your Life. Eerdmans, 2014. ISBN: 978-0802871435, Pub. Price $14.00 [~160 pp.].
Lee, Cameron and Kurt Fredrickson. That Their Work Will Be a Joy: Understanding and Coping with the Challenges of Pastoral Ministry. Wipf & Stock, 2012. ISBN: 978-1608997626, Pub. Price $33.00 [~250 pp.].
Required Text for Weekly Spiritual Formation Reflection throughout the Quarter:
Benner, David G. Soulful Spirituality: Becoming Fully Alive and Deeply Human. Brazos Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-1587432972, Pub. Price $20.00 [~175 pp.].
Narrative: Choose ONE
Bernanos, Georges. The Diary of a Country Priest: A Novel. Decapo Press, 2002. ISBN: 978-0786709618, Pub. Price $15.95 [300 pp].
Daniel, Lillian and Martin B Copenhaver. This Odd and Wondrous Calling: The Public and Private Lives of Two Ministers. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2009. ISBN: 978-0802864758, Pub. Price $16.00 [254 pp.].
Robinson, Marilynne. Gilead: A Novel. Picador, 2006. ISBN: 978-0312424404, Pub. Price $16.00 [247 pp].
Multicultural: Choose ONE
Lartey, Emmanuel Y. Pastoral Theology in an Intercultural World. Wipf & Stock, 2013. ISBN: 978-1620329733, Pub Price $22.00 [174 pp.]. OR
Montilla, R. Esteban. Pastoral Care And Counseling With Latino/as. Fortress Press, 2006. ISBN: 978-0800638207, Pub. Price $17.00 [164 pp.]. OR
Wimberly, Edward P. African American Pastoral Care: Revised Edition. Abingdon, 2008. ISBN: 978-0687649495, Pub. Price $18.99 [151 pp.].
ADDITIONAL AND RECOMMENDED READING:
Anderson, Ray S. The Shape of Practical Theology: Empowering Ministry with Theological Praxis. IVP Academic, 2001. ISBN: 978-0830815593, Pub. Price $27.00.
Ballard, Paul and John Pritchard. Practical Theology in Action: Christian Thinking in the Service of Church and Society. SPCK, 2006. ISBN: 978-0281057191, Pub. Price $29.98.
Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Life Together. HarperOne, 2009. ISBN: 978-0060608521, Pub Price $14.00.
Fiddes, Paul S. Participating in God: A Pastoral Doctrine of the Trinity. Darton Longman & Todd, 2000. ISBN: 978-0664223359, Pub. Price $30.00.
McHugh, Adam S. The Listening Life: Embracing Attentiveness in a World of Distraction. IVP, 2015. ISBN: 978-0830844128, Pub. Price $16.00.
Nouwen, Henri. Wounded Healer. Image Books, 1979. ISBN: 978-0385148030, Pub. Price $12.99.
Oden, Thomas C. Pastoral Theology: Essentials of Ministry. Harper & Row, 1983. ISBN: 978-0060663537, Pub. Price $25.99.
Patton, John. Pastoral Care: An Essential Guide. Abingdon Press, 2005. ISBN: 978-0687053223, Pub. Price $19.99.
Peterson, Eugene. Working the Angles: The Shape of Pastoral Integrity. Eerdmans, 1997. ISBN: 978-0802802651, Pub. Price $20.00.
———. The Pastor: A Memoir. HarperOne, 2011. ISBN: 978-0061988219, Pub. Price $17.00.
Sanders, R.K. (ed.). Christian Counseling Ethics: A Handbook for Therapists, Pastors and Counselors. IVP, 2013. ISBN: 978-0830839940, Pub. Price $35.00.
Scazzero, Peter. The Emotionally Healthy Church: A Strategy for Discipleship That Actually Changes Lives. Zondervan, 2010. ISBN: 978-0310293354, Pub. Price $18.99.
Seamands, Stephen. Ministry in the Image of God: The Trinitarian Shape of Christian Service. InterVarsity, 2005. ISBN: 978-0830833382, Pub. Price $17.00.
Vanhoozer, Kevin J. et al. Everyday Theology: How to Read Cultural Texts and Interpret Trends. Baker Academic, 2007. ISBN: 978-0801031670, Pub. Price $26.99.
Volf, Miroslav. Exclusion and Embrace: A Theological Exploration of Identity, Otherness, and Reconciliation. Abingdon, 1996. ISBN: 978-0687002825, Pub. Price $28.99.
Willimon, William. Pastor: The Theology and Practice of Ordained Ministry. Abingdon Press, 2016. ISBN: 978-1501804908, Pub. Price $29.99.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
Attend and participate in class, and engage in online interactions (Canvas forum activities represent 20% of the grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, #2, #3, #4] [35 hours].
Write a 1000-word autobiographical paper that connects the student’s upbringing with their practice of pastoral ministry. This paper will also include a section on practices for self-care (20% of the grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, #2, #3, #4] [8 hours].
Write a 750-word report on an interview with a pastor related to matters of call and congregational care (15% of the grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, #2, #3, #4] [6 hours].
Write a 2,500-word paper (30%). Students will write a theologically reflective essay responding to a case, its context, and options for pastoral praxis. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 3, and 4] [30 hours].
Engage in spiritual formation reflections throughout the quarter, and submit a 500-word spiritual formation paper based upon the required text (10% of the grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #3] [10 hours].
Complete the online trainings for mandated reporting (5% of the grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #5] [5 hours].
Complete 1250 pages of reading. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, #3, #4] [62 hours].
Complete a reflective exercise in personal listening skills. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #2] [4 hours].
PREREQUISITES: IS500 and IS502 are highly recommended but not required.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the PC requirement in the 120 MDiv Program.
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.