Units timetabled for 2013 and 2014 are provisional only, and details of semester and time will change. The official timetable for each year is released on 1 September of the prior year.

Archived unit descriptions for 2011 are available here.

Theology and Skills of Pastoral Care

Unit Code: 
DP350
RTI: 
United Faculty of Theology
Unit Value: 
15 points

This unit explores the theological nature of pastoral care and the relationship between theology and pastoral skills. It aims to help students develop a reflective basis for pastoral practice that is grounded in Christian theology and Biblical studies. Consideration will be given to the uniqueness of ‘pastoral’ care, to some of the challenging questions raised in situations of crisis, and to the appropriate use of prayer and Scripture in pastoral situations. Scope will be given for students to explore a range of contextual issues and questions in pastoral ministry.

Learning Outcomes: 

Upon successful completion of this unit, it is expected that students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the biblical and theological foundations of pastoral care.
  2. Articulate the integrative connections between theology and pastoral practice
  3. Demonstrate an ability to integrate theology and skills in their own pastoral practice.
Lecturer/s: 
Randall Prior
Timetabling
Semester: 
Semester 2
Day: 
Thursday
Time: 
2:15 - 5:15
Location: 
Centre for Theology and Ministry
Years Offered: 
2011
Years Offered: 
2013
Unit Fields
Courses: 
Bachelor of Theology
Courses: 
Bachelor of Ministry
Field: 
Field D Theology: Mission and Ministry
Disciplines: 
Pastoral Theology and Ministry Studies
Department Name: 
Department of Moral and Practical Theology
Unit Level
Undergraduate Level: 
3
Prerequisites: 

15 points of Pastoral Theology at Level 2

Prohibited Combinations: 

None

Mode of Teaching: 
Semester
Teaching Methods: 

Lectures, seminars, field work

Workload
Number of timetabled hours per week: 
3
Expected personal study hours per week: 
6
Total workload hours per week: 
9
Total workload hours for unit: 
108
Assessment
Assessment TypeWeightingLearning Outcomes Assessed
Assessment Type: 

A 15 minute class presentation about how the integration of theology and ministry skills was approached by a student in a particular context (equivalent to 1000 words)

Weighting: 
30%
Learning Outcomes Assessed: 
1, 2, 3
Assessment Type: 

An essay based on the class presentation (Level 2: 1500 words, Level 3: 2000 words)

Weighting: 
30%
Learning Outcomes Assessed: 
1, 2, 3
Assessment Type: 

A reflective paper which sets out the student’s understanding of pastoral care and grounds it in Christian theology and biblical studies (Level 2: 1500 words, Level 3: 2000 words)

Weighting: 
40%
Learning Outcomes Assessed: 
1, 2, 3
Recommended reading: 

* = set texts recommended for purchase

Clebsch, W. A. and C. R. Jaekle. Pastoral Care in Historical Perspective. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, 1964.

Evans, G. R. ed. A History of Pastoral Care. London: Cassell, 2000.

Graham, E. Transforming Practice: Pastoral Theology in an Age of Uncertainty. London: Mowbray, 1996.

Patton, J. Pastoral Care in Context: An Introduction to Pastoral Care. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1993.

Poling, J. N. and D. E. Miller. Foundations for a Practical Theology of Ministry. Nashville: Abingdon, 1985.

Purnell, D. Conversation as Ministry. Cleveland: Pilgrim Press, 2003.

Stone, H. W. and J. O. Duke. How to Think Theologically. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1996.

* Woodward, J. and S. Pattison. The Blackwell Reader in Pastoral and Practical Theology. Oxford: Blackwell, 2000.

Van Deusen Hunsinger, D. Pray Without Ceasing: Revitalizing Pastoral Care. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2006.

© United Faculty of Theology, 2008-2012.