ST541/841
Anderson

ST541/841: PRACTICAL PASTORAL THEOLOGY. Ray S. Anderson.


DESCRIPTION:

This seminar is offered as a graduate seminar for Ph.D. and Th.M. students. By special permission, M.A. and M.Div. level students may enroll as space permits. The seminar will lay a foundation for practical theology based on a trinitarian theology of ministry with special emphasis on the issues and needs which arise in the church's pastoral ministry to persons who experience broken relationships, the trauma of tragedy, crises of faith, the problem of evil, as well as general issues related to pastoral care and spiritual formation.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
The seminar is designed 1) to enable students to formulate a paradigm of practical theology; 2) to prepare students for theological leadership and teaching in the context of pastoral ministry; 3) to provide an experience of theological reflection on critical issues related to questions about the nature of God, divine providence, the problem of evil, and human suffering.

COURSE FORMAT:
Class sessions for the combined 541/841 levels will be held each Tuesday from 8:00 to 9:50 a.m.; an additional session on Thursday is scheduled for master's level students. In addition to lectures provided by the instructor, students will be responsible to lead discussion on selected cases.

REQUIRED READING: Graduate students will be expected to read 2,000 pages (for 8 units of credit); and Master's level students 1,200 pages (for 4 units of credit), from assigned and collateral texts.
Anderson, Ray S. Self Care: A Theology of Personal Empowerment and Spiritual Healing. Victor Books, 1995 (256 pp.).

Firet, Jacob. Dynamics in Pastoring. Eerdmans, 1986 (291 pp.) (Out of print--on reserve).

Hunsinger, Deborah van Duesen. Theology and Pastoral Counseling: A New Interdisciplinary Approach. Eerdmans, 1995 (236 pp.).

Pinnock, Clark and Robert Brow. Unbounded Love. InterVarsity Press, 1997 (300 pp.).

Stone, Bryan P. Compassionate Ministry--Theological Foundations. Orbis, 1996 (160 pp.).

RECOMMENDED READING:
Anderson, Ray S. The Soul of Ministry. Westminster/John Knox Press, 1997 (300 pp.).

Arens, Edmund. Christopraxis: A Theology of Action. Fortress, 1995 (201 pp.).

ASSIGNMENTS:
Two papers will be required. The first paper is to be a 10-12 page paper developing a trinitarian theology of pastoral ministry, due the 7th week of the course. For graduate students, a second paper, 24-30 pages in length, is to be a critical exercise in theological reflection related to the student's research topic and/or interests. M.A. and M.Div. level students will write a second paper, 12-15 pages in length, based on a topic arising out of the course or the readings related to some aspect of pastoral ministry. The second papers are due on Friday of exam week.

PREREQUISITES:
For master's level students, permission of the instructor.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
For master's level, meets M. Div. core requirement in Pastoral Ministry and Theology (MIN 6).

FINAL EXAMINATION:
None.