PC003-612
Pastoral Skills and Methods
Learning Outcomes
A. Know and understand
Demonstrate Developing knowledge and understanding of pastoral skills and methods, including the methods and standards of professional, safe and ethical practice.
B. Be able to
- Identify the aims and methods of pastoral care
- Analyse the skills and methods of pastoral care
- Demonstrate skill in applying the methods of pastoral care
- Present Analytical evidence-based perspectives on pastoral skills and methods
C. Be in a position to
- Applying perspectives and skills from ‘Pastoral Skills and Methods’ to contemporary Christian living and ministry contexts.
Content
Section A: Pastoral Skills and Methods
- An introduction to aims and methods in pastoral care and pastoral counselling, and their implications for Christian community, including a theology of presence.
- Relational skills; empathy, respect, concreteness, genuineness, and other listening skills.
- Equipping others; teaching, encouragement, recognition of abilities, and training.
- Mechanics of care; administration, publicity, the various settings of care, care policy, and record-keeping.
Section B: Pastoral Care in Particular Situations
In the topics studied below, attention should be paid not only to the needs of those in care but the carers’ own lives.
- Pastoral care of persons with special needs, including:
• the recognition of normal and abnormal conditions
• mental health disorders
• disabled persons and their carers. - Pastoral care of people in the following situations:
• marital struggles and divorce
• dying, death and bereavement the grief process
• anxiety and depression. - Pastoral care of those in crises, or with chronic conditions. Students study two of:
• alcoholism and drug dependence
• attempted suicide an suicide ideation
• long-term illness, including forms of cancer
• domestic family violence, bullying, and abuse
• gender dysphoria and other sexually related conflicts
• sexual addictions and sexually transmitted illnesses
• unemployment and work related stress
• those in legal trouble, such as criminality
• financial or debt-related stress
• Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia - Community resources for pastoral care, including other helping professions; when to refer.