Claremont School of Theology

Course of Study (COS): 314 Pastoral Care and Counseling Syllabus

Instructor: Rev. Dr. Ken J. Walden

Contact:

revdrwalden@artsinreligion.com

www.lakewoodfirstumchurch.com

248-974-9225

CLASS PURPOSE:

Focus upon the pastor’s understanding of human nature with attention to methods and skills in pastoral care and counseling.  Each person participates in an assessment of their personal interactive styles.

PRE-CLASS ASSIGNMENT: 

Write a 2-3 page paper about the 2^nd chapter of Pastoral Care and Counseling: Redefining the Paradigms. Include responses to the following questions: What were some components/ dynamics of pastoral care and counseling described in the text?  In what ways the text suggest pastoral care and counseling changed through the years? How was the text surprising or not as relevant in your ministry setting?

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

• Formation of pastoral theology through reflection on the uniqueness of the pastoral dimensions of care and counseling.
• Sensitivity to the life situations and relationships of the individual receiving care and counseling.
• Focus on the counseling process from initial contact to completion, including referral as appropriate.

TEXTBOOKS REQUIRED: 

1. Basic Types of Pastoral Care & Counseling: Resources for the Ministry of Healing and Growth

     by Howard Clinebell

2. Pastoral Care and Counseling: Redefining the Paradigms edited by Nancy J. Ramsay

3. A Pastor’s Poetry: Volume One by Kenny J. Walden

4. The Places You Go: Caring for Your Congregation Monday though Saturday by Urias Beverly

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

1. Class attendance and participation.  2.  Completion of all reading assignments. 3.  Three papers (1-2 pages).  Each paper should be a critical-reflective- analysis response that engages the author’s text. 4.  Final exam on the last day.  

GRADING SYSTEM:

1. Class attendance and participation = 10%, 2. Four papers (2-3 pages) = 15% each, and

3.  Final exam on the last day = 30%.  

Class Criteria:

1. Write clearly, correctly, and turn in papers on time.  Late papers will not be accepted
2. Ability to reflect on readings through class participation and papers
3. Demonstrate constructive arguments from the readings and class discussions
4. Provide creative, critical, and thoughtful responses to the various realities of pastoral care and counseling through the readings, class participation, and class discussions

July 8: Pre-Class Assignment is due if not turned in earlier.

• Chapters 1 & 2 of Basic Types of Pastoral Care & Counseling will be discussed
• Review “A Short Guide To Style for Papers, Reports, and Theses” by Jay R. Lund.

July 9: Chapters 8 & 9 of Basic Types of Pastoral Care & Counseling will be discussed.

• Review and take the self-test “Coping with Trouble: Discover Your Own Spiritual Coping Style” by Dr. Ken Pargament.

July 12: 1^st Paper due (2-3 pages) related to Chapters 1 & 2 and Chapters 8 & 9 of Basic Types of Pastoral Care & Counseling.  Discuss the areas you may be able to apply to your ministry.

• Chapters 3 & 4 of Pastoral Care and Counseling: Redefining the Paradigms will be discussed.
• Chapters 6 & 7 of Pastoral Care and Counseling: Redefining the Paradigms will be discussed.

July 13: 2^nd Paper due (2-3 pages) related to Chapters 3 & 4 and Chapters 6 & 7 of Pastoral Care and Counseling: Redefining the Paradigms. Discuss the areas that were surprising to you and how you may be able to apply those techniques to your ministry.

• Various paradigms in pastoral care and counseling will be discussed and explored. 
• Pages 1 – 95 of A Pastor’s Poetry: Volume One will be discussed.

July 14: 3^rd Paper due (2-3 pages) on Pages 1 – 95 of A Pastor’s Poetry: Volume One. Discuss what areas were familiar to you, surprising to you, and aspects you may be able to apply to your ministry.

• The creative arts related to pastoral care and counseling will be discussed and explored. 
• Pages 1 – 95 of A Pastor’s Poetry: Volume One will be reviewed.
• Take “Self-Tests on Spirituality and Well-Being” in class. 

July 15:  4^th Paper due (2-3 pages) on Chapters 2-4 and Chapters 5-7 of The Places You Go. Discuss what areas were familiar to you, surprising to you, and aspects you may be able to apply to your ministry.

• Various places and settings of ministry will be highlighted. 
• Chapters 2-4 of The Places You Go will be reviewed.
• Chapters 5-7 of The Places You Go will be reviewed.
• Final Exam Review.

July 16:

• Final Exam.