DESCRIPTION:

The aim of this course is to provide basic counseling skills for pastors working in African American churches. Students will learn about theoretical and practical issues related to pastoral counseling in African American churches. At the end of the course students are expected to have a firm grasp of the basic approaches to pastoral counseling and the unique issues and problems facing African American parishioners. Students will also be expected to master rudimentary counseling skills.

This course will strengthen the ability of pastors who work in the African American context and enhance their abilities to minister to their parishioners.

Lecture, discussion, experiential exercises, and small group interaction will be used to facilitate students' understanding of key issues in the pastoral counseling of African Americans. This class will meet weekly for three-hour sessions.

Boyd-Franklin, N. Black Families in Therapy: A Multisystems Approach. New York: Guilford, 1989.

Cooper-Lewter, N. C. and H. H. Mitchell. Soul Theology: The Heart of American Black Culture. Nashville: Abingdon, 1991.

Ivey, A. E. and M. B. Ivey. Intentional Interviewing and Counseling: Facilitating Client Development in a Multicultural Society. 4th ed. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole, 1999.

Wimberly, E. P. Counseling African American Marriages and Families. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1997.

Course Reader available in the bookstore.

Taylor, C. W. The Skilled Pastor: Counseling as the Practice of Theology. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 1991.

The course grade is based on class attendance, participation, and papers. Two papers will be required: a case presentation that will address issues pertinent to the development of pastoral counseling ministries in the African American church, and a final written case presentation. Class attendance is required.

None.

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

None. Final paper.