DESCRIPTION: The nature of human suffering, the problem of theodicy, the meaning of pain, the mystery of healing, and the discovery of hope will be theological and experiential themes central to the course. Grief, pain, loss, separation, death and dying--the major crises of life--will be explored experientially, psychologically, and culturally. The focus will be on personal growth as the preparation for pastoral presence, care-giving, and counseling.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: The major opportunities for pastoral care emerge from loss, pain, grief, death and the encounter with dying, support in crisis and loss, and offering a constructive theology of suffering that faces the problem of theodicy in pastoral theology.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon completion of this course, the participants will have (1) encountered the reality of their mortality; (2) articulated the multiple processes of grieving loss, encountering death, supporting the bereaved; (3) deepened skills in empathy and embodying incarnational presence; and (4) developed a plan for pastoral care in situations of grief, loss, death, and dying.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will be conducted online using a 10-week lesson program aligned with Fuller's academic calendar. The course offers both content and process: understanding the nature of loss experiences, of grieving, of encountering the reality of dying, of ministry in each of these crises and owning, facing, exploring, and embracing our own losses. It will utilize videos, audio lectures, and multiple methods of involvement: discussion boards, surveys, chats, etc.

REQUIRED READING:

Albom, Mitch. Tuesdays with Morrie. New York: Doubleday, 1997. ISBN: 0385484518. $13.99. 192 pages.

Anderson, Ray S. Theology of Death and Dying. New York: Basil, Blackwell, and Sons, 1986. ISBN: 0631148469/77. $18.00. 170 pages.

Becker, Ernest. The Denial of Death. New York: Free Press, 1973. ISBN: 0029021502. $15.99. 314 pages.

Floyd, Scott. Crisis Counseling: A Guide for Pastors and Professionals. Kregel, 2008. ISBN: 082542883. $11.99. 280 pages.

Lester, Andrew. Hope in Pastoral Care and Counseling. Louisville: Westminster Press, 1995. ISBN: 0664255884. $22.89. 168 pages.

Lewis, C. S. A Grief Observed. New York: Seabury Press, 1963. ISBN: 006065273X. $8.03. 76 pages.

Sittser, Gerald. A Grace Disguised. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996. ISBN: 0310202302. $9.35. 184 pages.

Wolterstorff, Nicholas. Lament for a Son. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1987. ISBN: 080280294X. $12.00. 111 pages.

1. 1500 pages reading minimum (10% of grade).

2. Participation in online forums, chats, and surveys, covering the material in the audio lectures, videos, and Moodle-books (10% of grade).

3. Four written reflections (one page, single-spaced) on the required texts. Choose any four of the above books (5% each, total 20% of grade).

4. A personal self-expression in journaling, composition, poetry, art, photography, sculpture, to be shared online (10% of grade).

5. A written project (uploaded online) of a chosen genre--a biblical, philosophical or theological paper on a specific theme of grief, loss, death, or dying (50% of total grade).