DESCRIPTION:

The purpose of this course is twofold: (1) to enable students to integrate theological reflection and counseling insights on the following topics: the nature of pastoral care; the importance of ethics for effective pastoral care and counseling; foundational approaches to ethics as a discipline for counseling; the counselor as ethicist; issues in the professional ethics of counseling; learning from codes and guidelines of professional counseling organizations; developing frameworks for Christian ethical practice; ethical problem-solving; (2) to develop specific practical skills in pastoral casework.

Pastoral care and counseling are more than a matter of technique. This course aims to challenge students to develop a theological understanding of the ethical dimension in counseling and to begin to apply insights gained to the practice of counseling. Its purpose is to provide a solid foundation for practical pastoral ministry.

The course is highly interactive. It contains a combination of input from lecturer, class discussion, small group exercises, role-play, debate, brainstorming, private study, and collaborative presentations. The course will meet daily for two weeks for four-hour sessions.

Bond, T. Standards and Ethics for Counselling in Action. Sage Publications, 1997. (Contains British Association for Counseling Code of Conduct.)

Bridger, F. and D. Atkinson. Counselling in Context: Developing a Theological Framework. Darton, Longman & Todd, 1998.

Clark, D. K. and R. V. Rakestraw. Readings in Christian Ethics. Vol. 2: Issues and Applications, Baker Book House 1996.

Fiddes, P. S. Participating in God: A Pastoral Doctrine of the Trinity. Darton, Longman & Todd, 2000.

Shillito-Clarke, C. "Ethical Issues in Counselling Psychology." In Ray Woolfe and Windy Dryden, eds. Handbook of Counselling Psychology (Sage Publications, 1997), pp. 555-80.

Anderson, R. S., ed. Theological Foundations for Ministry: Selected Readings for a Theology of the Church in Ministry. T&T Clark, 1997/2000.

Boyajian, J., ed. Ethical Issues in the Practice of Ministry. United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, 1984.

Browning, D. S. Religious Ethics and Pastoral Care. Fortress Press, 1983.

Clark, D. K. and R. V. Rakestraw. Readings in Christian Ethics. Vol. 1:Theory and Method. Baker Book House, 1994.

Cunningham, D. These Three are One: The Practice of Trinitarian Theology. Blackwell, 1998.

Vardy, P. and P. Grosch. The Puzzle of Ethics. Fount, 1994.

1. Attend all classes and write brief reflection on what has been learned in each.

2. Participation in one team presentation to class.

3. One essay or written case study.

Meets M. Div. core requirement in Pastoral Care and Counseling (MIN 5).