Winter 2011/Pasadena
CN520
Hammer

CN520: PASTORAL COUNSELING. Ronald Hammer.


DESCRIPTION: Pastoral counseling as a specialized ministry within the field of pastoral care will be explored didactically and practically in preparing persons who plan to do pastoral counseling and pastoral psychology. A survey of counseling theory from an integrative perspective, with attention to particular ministry issues, will be incorporated into a practical format in a community setting.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: To pastor effectively is to be available to people in crisis, in growth passages, and in change throughout the life cycle. The pastoral counselor is capable of both offering effectual therapeutic intervention and support as well as facilitating the pastoral care of the people of God surrounding the counselee.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated (1) a better understanding of and an ability to interpret individual experience, family relationship patterns, culture, and congregational life; (2) skills in counseling individuals, families, and congregations; (3) the ability to more deeply empathize with people to whom they minister; (4) more motivation to engage in ministries of giving care, prevention education, and healing of persons; and (5) more commitment to self-development and self-care.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture, discussion, audio-visuals, case studies, experiential exercises, triads utilizing counseling skill training processes, and practice in simulated counseling circumstances will integrate theory, theology, and practice. The course will meet weekly for a four-hour session, including the required small group sessions.

REQUIRED READING: 1200 pp. minimum, including weekly assignments from required & recommended texts:

Culbertson, Philip. Caring for God's People: Counseling and Christian Wholeness. (Integrating Spirituality Into Pastoral Counseling.) Augsburg Fortress, 1999. ISBN: 9780800631871, Pub. price $30.

Meier, Scott T., and Susan R. Davis. The Elements of Counseling. 6th ed. Brooks Cole, 2007. ISBN: 9780495017745, Pub. price $33.75.

RECOMMENDED READING: Available in the course syllabus.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: (1) Attend lectures and small group sessions and write reflection papers on assignments (30%). (2) Attend one session of a 12-step group (AA, NA, etc.) and write a report with theological and psychological analysis (15%). (3) Present a 15-20 pp.) paper on a specific area of pastoral care and counseling such as depression, alcoholism, divorce, etc. (55%).

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Pastoral Counseling (MIN 5).

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (November 23, 2010)