PTP1740 Pastoral Theology and Psychology
Instructor: Professor Ron Baard, Bangor Theological Seminary rbaard@bts.edu 3 credits Fall, 2011 Tuesdays 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Bangor Campus of BTS (in Peabody Hall at Husson University)
Introduction: This a beginning foundational course in pastoral theology and psychology for those interested in the work of pastoral ministry in a variety of expressions – the parish pastor, the chaplain, the pastoral counselor. The Society for Pastoral Theology understands pastoral theology as “a constructive practical
theological enterprise focused on the religious care of persons, families and
communities. As such it draws on interdisciplinary methods growing out of classical and contemporary theological traditions.” (See the Mission Statement for the Society for Pastoral Theology on their website.)
In many ways, a course in pastoral theology should balance the study of systematic theology by taking up the theological enterprise from a new and
opposing direction – that is “doing theology” from the engagement in ministry with real people, their networks and contexts, and their pastoral concerns. What we learn from “living human documents” and “human webs” as we provide care does change the way we think and reflect theologically. Pastoral psychology is a closely related field that seeks to “baptize” some of the best wisdom of contemporary psychology for use in pastoral work with individuals, families and communities. Together we will read, discuss and reflect upon some of the current and best scholarship in both areas, in order to begin to build a better foundation for our work as pastors,
chaplains and pastoral counselors.
Purpose of the Course: The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the broad fields of pastoral theology and psychology through careful discussion of relevant readings, along with other teaching and learning experiences, including case studies. Students will develop their own creative image for pastoral theology and care, and they will also gain experience in using the Case Study method with colleagues. The first half of the course focuses on various approaches to pastoral theology, while the second half provides an introductory overview of pastoral psychology, with focused attention in two contemporary critical areas: systems theory and its relationship to pastoral work, and pastoral work in relationship to aspects of depth psychology.
Course Outcomes:
Students should be able to –
1. Articulate their understanding of pastoral theology with reference to the work of several key figures in the history of the field (Bosien, Hiltner, Gerkin, Clinebell, Lartey, Patton, Justes, Miller-McLemore)
2. Describe their own creative image for pastoral care succinctly
3. Discuss the perspective of Immanuel Lartey regarding intercultural pastoral theology, with special reference to another cultural context (South Africa, or another context)
4. Prepare and present (in small group) one case study, complete with a carefully written theological reflection.
5. Discuss accurately a beginning understanding of pastoral psychology
6. Describe their own approach to working with their family of origin concerns and its relevance for pastoral care and counseling
7. Describe their own pastoral approach to working with issues of addiction codependency and recovery
Please Note: A guide that correlates outcomes (above) and course requirements (below) to the BTS Faculty Outcomes Assessment process (as guided by the Association of Theological Schools) will be made available and discussed in class. Course Requirements:
1. A ten page (double space) essay describing your own creative “image of pastoral care.” Due at beginning of class on Week VI. (20%)
2. Open Book Mid-term take home exam. Exam will be distributed at the end of class on Week VII and due at beginning of class on Week VIII. (20%)
3. Case Study and Theological Reflection for Class Presentation due at class XI (as assigned). (20%)
4. Open Book Final Take Home Exam. Exam will be distributed at the last class and due one week from that time. (30%)
5. Active engagement with all readings and full participation with discussions in class. (10%)
PLAGIARISM: You are reminded that using others’ words or ideas without
attribution and citation constitutes plagiarism, an act of intellectual dishonesty that may result in failing the course. See the Student Guide for a complete description of plagiarism.
Required Readings:
1) Images of Pastoral Care: Classic Readings by Robert C. Dykstra. (Chalice Press, 2005) ISBN 0-8272-1624-6 $23.29
2) Women Out of Order: Risking Change and Creating Care in a Multi-Cultural World edited by Jeanne Stevenson-Moessner and Teresa Snorton (Fortress Press, 2009) ISBN 978-0800-664442 $19.79
3) Pastoral Theology in an Intercultural World by Emmanuel Lartey. (The Pilgrim Press, 2006) ISBN 0-8298-1722-0 $16.38
4) No Future without Forgiveness by Desmond Tutu. (Doubleday, 2000) ISBN 0-3854-9690-7 $10.85
5) Becoming a Healthier Pastor: Family Systems Theory and the Pastor’s Own Family by Ronald W. Richardson (Augsberg Fortress, 2005)
6) Healing Wisdom: Depth Psychology and the Pastoral Ministry
by Kathleen J. Greider, Deborah van Deusen Hunsinger, Felicity Kelcourse (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2010 / Paperback) ISBN 978-0802862549 $15. 60
7) The Art of Theological Reflection by Patricia Killen and John DeBeer. (Crossroad, 1994) ISBN 978-0824514013 $12.21
Grading for the Course:
Class Participation 10%
Image of Pastoral Care Essay 20%
Mid-Term Take Home Exam 20%
Case Study 20%
Final Take Home Exam 30%
A grade of Incomplete will be given only in unusual circumstances, e.g., illness, death in the family, change in job responsibilities. Procedures outlined in the BTS Student Guide must be followed in order to request an Incomplete Contract. Completion of the course
requirements does not assure you of an A in the course. The quality of your work will determine the quality of your grade.
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Class Calendar: Week I: Read (or review) Killen and DeBeer
Opening Prayer by Professor
Introduction to the Course – Pastoral Theology and Psychology – Beginning definitions
Overview of Syllabus
Sharing of Students Concerns and Interests in the Course Building the Classroom Covenant
Discussion of Case Study Method
A Beginning Case Study for Classroom Process (emphasis on theological reflection) Week II: Read Dykstra Introduction, Part One (Classical Images of Care) and Part Two (Paradoxical Images of Care)
Opening Prayer________________
Presentation and Discussion on various “images of care”
Small groups: building beginning creative images of care for pastoral work
Week III: Read Dykstra, Part Three (Contemporary and Contextual Images of Care) Opening Prayer________________
Small groups: continue discussion on contemporary, contextual and creative images for pastoral work
Week IV: Read Stevenson-Moessner and Teresa Snorton. (Assigned sections.) Opening Prayer________________
Presentation and Discussion: Feminist and Womanist Perspectives on Pastoral Theology
Panel and Discussion: Sharing perspectives on feminist and Womanist pastoral theology and ministry in a variety of settings
Week V: Read Lartey (Introduction and Chapters 1,2,3,4,5) Opening Prayer________________
Presentation and discussion on Lartey’s views on “intercultural pastoral theology” Intercultural Pastoral Theology in the South African context - shifting dynamics, a beginning discussion
Week VI: Read Tutu (entire book)
“Image of Pastoral Care” essay due at beginning of class. Opening Prayer_________________
Brief sharing by students on chosen “images of care”
Intercultural Pastoral Theology in the South African Context
Small Group Discussion on Tutu “No Future without Forgiveness” Documentary and discussion: Mandela and deKlerk
Week VII: Read selected articles (To be distributed in class) and Richardson (Assigned sections)
Opening Prayer__________________
Overview of pastoral psychology – historical and contemporary trends
Overview of resources in pastoral psychology – professional organizations, journals, advanced training opportunities
Beginning concepts in family systems theory Distribute Open Book Mid-term Take Home Exam Week VIII: Read Richardson (assigned sections) Mid-Term Take Home Exam due at beginning of class Opening Prayer__________________
More discussion on systems theory and its interface with pastoral theology and psychology
Small group on family of origin “work” and its influence on effective pastoral ministry
Week IX: Read Greider et al (assigned sections) Opening Prayer____________________
Overview presentation regarding pastoral work in relationship to depth psychology
Week X: Student Case Studies Opening Prayer_____________________
Case Studies will be processed in the small group setting in a confidential manner. (A format for writing up your case study will be distributed in class.)
Week XI: Student Case Studies Opening Prayer_____________________
Case Studies will be processed in the small group setting in a confidential manner. (A format for writing up your case study will be distributed in class.)
Week XII: Final Take Home Exam will be distributed in class. Opening Prayer_______________________
Review and discussion of major themes of the class Tying up “loose ends,” course evaluation, group closure.
(Take Home Final exams are due one week from the last class.)
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Recommended Readings:
Preface to Pastoral Theology by Seward Hiltner. (Abingdon, 1958) BTS Library Call # 250H562p On Reserve
Theology and Pastoral Care by John B. Cob, Jr. (Fortress, 1977) BTS Library Call # 253.5C633t On Reserve
Generation to Generation: Family Process in Church and Synagogue by Edwin H. Friedman. (The Guilford Press, 1985) ISBN 0-8986-2059-7 $42.30
Deadly Sins and Saving Virtues by Donald Capps. (Fortress Press, 1987) ISBN 1-5791-0247-6 $20.00
Faith Development and Pastoral Care by James W. Fowler (Fortress Press, 1987) ISBN 0-8006-1739- 4 $16.00
Ritual and Pastoral Care by Elaine Ramshaw (Fortress Press, 1987) ISBN 0-8006-1738-X $16.00
From Ministry to Theology: Pastoral Action and Reflection by John Patton (Abingdon, 1990) ISBN 978-1606088142 $16.00
Care of Persons, Care of Worlds: A Psychosystems Approach to Pastoral Care and Counseling (Abingdon Press, 1992) ISBN 978-1606088142 $26.00
Pastoral Care in Context: An Introduction to Pastoral Care by John Patton (Westminster, 1993) ISBN 978-0664229948 $29.95
Sexual Abuse by Clergy: A Crisis for the Church by Marie Fortune and James Poling. (Wipf and Stock, 1994) ISBN 1556356865 $11.00
Through the Eyes of Women: Insights for Pastoral Care edited by Jeanne Stevenson Moessner (Fortress,1996) ISBN 978-0800629281 $29.00
Feminist and Womanist Pastoral Theology, edited by Bonnie J. Miller-McLemore and Brita L. Gill-Austern. (Abingdon Press, 1999) ISBN 0-6870-8910-7 $25.00
Discovering Images of God: Narratives of Care Among Lesbians and Gays by Larry Kent Graham (Westminster John Knox, 1997) ISBN 0-6642-5626-0 $29.95
When Steeples Cry: Leading Congregations Through Loss and Change by Jaco J. Hamman (The Pilgrim Press, 2005) ISBN 0-8298-1694-1 $16.38
The Blackwell Reader in Pastoral and Practical Theology edited by James Woodward and Stephen Pattison. ( Blackwell Publishers, 2000) 978-0631267450 $ 55.95 Pastor: The Theology and Practice of Ordained Ministry by William H. Willimon. (Abingdon Press, 2002) ISBN 978-0687045327 $19.14
Family Therapy as an Alternative to Medication: An Appraisal of Pharmland edited by Phoebe S. Prosky and David. V. Keith (Taylor-Francis Books, Inc 2003)
ISBN 0-6870-8910-7 $25.00
Reconstructing Pastoral Theology: A Christological Foundation by Andrew Purves. (Westminster John Knox Press, 2004) ISBN 978-0664227333 $26.95
Hate-Work: Working Through the Pain and Pleasures of Hate by David W.
Augsburger. (Westminster John Knox Press, 2004) ISBN 978-0664226824 $29.95 Cura Vitae: Illness and the Healing of Life by Daniel Louw (Luxverbi-BM, 2005) ISBN 0-7963-0647-8 O/P @$100
Pastoral Care: An Essential Guide by John Patton (Abingdon, 2005) ISBN 978-0687053223 $14.04
Your Brain Goes to Church: Neuroscience and Congregational Life by Bob Sitze (The Alban Institute, 2005) ISBN 978-1566992992 $18.00
Leadership for Vital Congregations by Anthony B. Robinson. (Pilgrim Press, 2006) ISBN 0829817123 $10.20
For Life Abundant: Practical Theology, Theological Education and Christian Ministry edited by Dorothy C. Bass and Craig Dykstra. (Eerdmans, 2008)
The Indispensable Guide to Pastoral Care by Sharyl B. Peterson. (Pilgrim Press, 2008) ISBN 978-0829817782 $12.95
