DESCRIPTION:

This course will explore the process of pastoral counseling across cultures. The course will equip students with tools to recognize their own and others' cultural scripts as they face situations that require counseling and pastoral care. Behavior, culture and spirituality are approached from an integrationist perspective to help students develop their own theological paradigm for meaningful interventions with culturally different individuals.

We live in a multicultural society and in an increasingly smaller world. Migration forces and demographic changes around the world and in America specifically have made the likelihood of cross-cultural ministry a reality. The need to understand other cultures is critical for effective ministry in the 21st century. So is the need to be aware of one's own culture and its impact on the expectations of counseling outcomes.

The class will meet weekly for three and one-half hours. Along with formal lectures, discussion based on group dynamics and experiential processes will facilitate the review and integration of relevant issues in the task of pastoral counseling. Three guests involved in cross-cultural ministry will be invited to present on topics of pastoral counseling/care.

Augsburger, D. Pastoral Counseling Across Cultures. Westminster Press, 1986.

Brenner, David. Strategic Pastoral Counseling: A Short-term Structured Model. Baker, 1992.

Brooks, D. BOBOS in Paradise: The New Ruling Class and How It Got There. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2000.

Hong, G. and M. Domokos-Cheng Ham. Psychotherapy and Counseling with Asian American Clients: A Practical Guide. (Multicultural Aspects of Counseling Series 16.) Sage Publications, 2000.

Santiago-Rivera, A; P. Arredondo; and M. Gallardo-Cooper. Counseling Latinos and La Familia: A Practical Guide. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications, 2001.

Wimberly. E. African-American Pastoral Care. Abingdon Press, 1991.

Breckenridge, J. and L. Breckenridge. What Color Is Your God?: Multicultural Education in the Church. Baker Books, 1998.

1. Each student will submit 4 reading reports (60%).

2. Each student will present 1 case study of a cross-cultural counseling experience (10%).

3. Each student will provide a 2-page plan for cross-cultural interventions that deal with pastoral care of mental health issues in their church/ministry/denomination (20%).

4. Each student will develop a resource list of mental health professionals/community programs they can use to address the culturally diverse mental health needs of their church (10%).

This is an advanced course in pastoral counseling. The student should have completed two prior courses in basic counseling, personality, conflict or have significant cross-cultural or ministry experience. The course is preferably for second or third year students, or those with ministry experience.

Meets M.Div. core requirement in Pastoral Counseling (MIN5) and requirements in Family Pastoral Care and Counseling and in Marriage and Family Ministries.