PC501 Syllabus
Bethel Seminary
Winter 2012
Mondays, 8:00-10:00 PM
Rev. Joel Jueckstock, M.Div.
juejoe@bethel.edu
INTRODUCTION TO PASTORAL CARE
Course Description:
This course is designed to introduce the student to the shepherding function with emphasis on
pastoral counseling. Basic counseling methods will be discussed in relation to typical situations
faced in pastoral ministry. Weekly clinical experience in nursing care, medical setting or other
institution is included in the requirements of this course.
Main objectives:
1. Prepare ourselves and others for effective care in and around the Body of Christ: overcome
obstacles for care;
2. Learn to observe and assess needs, then plan and mobilize multiple resources of the church
and community;
3. Develop a systematic process for approaching and responding to persons, families and
groups with the more frequently present critical needs;
4. Evaluate and appreciate the resources of both faith and science for meeting people’s needs,
performing theological reflection and taking action with those resources.
5. Evaluate and grow in the understanding of cultural and ethnic influences and their impact on
pastoral care and counseling relationships.
Required Reading:
Benner, David. Strategic Pastoral Counseling. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2003. ISBN:
0801026318
Johnson, Brad, and William Johnson. Pastor’s Guide to Psychological Disorders and
Treatments. New York: Haworth, 2000. ISBN: 0789011115
Hawley, Dale R., and Carla M. Dahl. “Using the Levels of Family Involvement Model with
Religious Professionals,” Journal of Psychology and Theology 28 no. 2 (2000): 87-98.
Montilla, R. Estaban, and Ferney Medina. Pastoral Care and Counseling with Latino/as.
Minneapolis, MN: Fortress, 2006. ISBN: 0800638204
Paget, Naomi K., and Janet R. McCormack. The Work of the Chaplain. Valley Forge, PA:
Judson, 2006. ISBN: 0817014993
Patton, John, Pastoral Care: An Essential Guide. Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 2005. ISBN:
0687053226
Wimberly, Edward P. African American Pastoral Care and Counseling: the politics of
oppression and empowerment. Cleveland, OH: Pilgrim, 2006. ISBN: 082981681X
The Covenant Book of Worship. Chicago: Covenant Publications, 2003. ISBN: 910452-92-X
Recommended Reading:
Floyd, Scott. Crisis Counseling: a guide for pastors and professionals. Grand Rapids, MI:
Kregel, 2008. ISBN: 0825425883
Lebacqz, Karen, and Joseph Driskill. Ethics and Spiritual Care. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press,
2000. ISBN: 0687071569
Methodology:
Information sharing, intense group participation in developing awareness and action plans,
goal-setting, writing exercises, mobilization of inner and interpersonal resources, lectures,
reading, practicum experience, supervision, deliberate theological reflection. For three (3) of
our class sessions the whole class will meet together for half of the class time; verbatim groups
meet the other half of the class time; field experience under supervision is held in a care-giving
setting for 4 hours per week for 9 weeks (36 hours) outside of class time. Four (4) hours of the
total (36) ought to be spent in supervision sessions with a supervisor.
Course Requirements:
1. Integrative Essays: Two Integrative Essays (5 pages, 265 words/page, 1,325 words each)
will be handed in according to the Class Schedule. These essays are designed to encourage
you to interact with our texts and class discussions—and how you plan on integrating these
principles into your ministry setting.

Integrative Essay #1: Using the concepts in Patton, Pastoral Care, Benner, Strategic
Pastoral Counseling, and Paget and McCormack, The Work of the Chaplain, integrate
these readings with your own personal and Biblical perspectives and how you
understand your role in providing Pastoral Care and Pastoral Counseling. In other
words, describe how the people you care for will experience your caring pastoral
presence?

Integrative Essay # 2: Using the concepts in Montilla and Medina, Pastoral Care
and Counseling with Latino/as, and Wimberly, African American Pastoral Care and
Counseling, integrate and identify your own emerging theoretical perspective and
theological understanding of Christian Community. What function/role does
community play in pastoral care? What is your role in the community of believers?
Research projects completed for this course have been identified as a required integrative
assignment that you may wish to review and reference in future integrative coursework.
.
2. Personal Growth Plan: (3-4 pages 750-1000 words) Charles Gerkin states: “many pastors
evidence a lack of coherence in their work, resulting in a fragmentation of purpose, confusion
among often conflicting methods of operation in various functions, valuing of one function
and neglect of another…Pastors need a foundational, organizing image of the whole of
pastoral ministry that can give coherence to and inform all of the various functional roles of
the pastor.”
 Based on the ways in which God has gifted you for pastoral ministry, describe the
foundational, organizing image or metaphor that will guide your ministry (shepherd,
interpretive guide, others?). What theological tenets inform your approach to pastoral
care ministry? How does this image inform, or what are the implications of this image
for, your various roles (i.e. pastoral care, preaching/teaching, leadership,
administration, vision, supervision, spiritual formation etc)? Use concrete examples.

What are your growing edges and concerns (personal reorientations)? Organize this
section around any new realizations that occurred for you during the quarter that reshaped your way of understanding and practicing pastoral care and counseling.
Include implications of appropriate boundaries and ethical concerns in ministry.
This personal growth plan will become part of your Supervised Ministry File.
3. Weekly Reflection Summaries: Interaction is an essential part of this course, so come each
session prepared to ask questions, to engage with questions others raise, and to participate
actively in discussion. Turn in a reflection summary (typed, single-spaced) each week
reading is assigned (see Weekly Reflection Summary in syllabus).
4. Clinical Experience: Students will meet with individuals, couples or families for pastoral
visitations (for a total of 20 hours). These meetings are intended to be with a variety of
people (meeting no more than twice with one person, couple, or family). This is to be
arranged through a church, parachurch, or community organization. Students who are on
staff at a qualifying organization may inquire the professor regarding the use of work
experience. This visitation experience will need to be served in a setting outside your
typical comfort zone. Some options for venues for your visits could include homes,
hospital, nursing home, your office, etc. You could, for instance choose to complete your
meetings in a nursing care facility visiting different residents. You will be responsible for
arranging a ministry context to do your clinical experience in. You must arrange for a
mentor who will meet with you three times during the visitation experience to debrief.
Provide your mentor with the evaluation form included in the syllabus. Your mentor will be
required to submit an evaluation of your experiences with them. Your mentor must verify
that you have completed 20 hours of service, excluding 2 hours of supervision (presenting
and discussing your second verbatim and discussing other pertinent pastoral visits). You
must provide me with a Clinical Experience Plan (included in syllabus) that contains
contact information for your mentor.

Reflection of the pastoral experience: (250-300 words each) This will happen via
discussion board as you answer the questions provided during the weeks you have
discussion board entries assigned. You will respond to the question(s) provided and
share your experiences with each other. We will also reflect on your pastoral
experiences throughout the course.

Supervisory Feedback on Field Experience: Since supervisors vary greatly in their
evaluations and previous experience as a supervisor [they will receive a form to fill
out], the professor will use the supervisory feedback with judgment.

Verbatims: A verbatim, in essence, is a request for help for a difficult moment in
care giving for which the student wants to ask for helpful feedback from his/her
supervisor and peers. The image in your head should not be that of a tape recorder,
but rather, the processing of a difficult counseling experience with colleagues. After
you experience the "difficult situation," you should sit down very soon with paper
following the interview to note key words and transitions, and then write it all out as
soon as you can get to a word processor. You should be pleasantly surprised how
much of the conversation you remember. Be sure to describe how you feel the
"sticky spot" happened and include your impressions throughout the visit. When
writing up your verbatim, follow the format that is included in the syllabus.
i. Each student will complete two verbatims. One will be turned in to the
professor and discussed with your on-campus group (see due date in course
schedule). The second verbatim is to be presented to your practicum site
supervisor at some later date and discussed there. The practicum site
supervisor will confirm in their evaluation that the student handed in and
discussed the second verbatim with them in order for the assignment to be
considered completed.
ii. When verbatims are processed in your small group, the questions you should
have in mind as you listen and interact should be as follows [review these
each time you will be listening to a verbatim]:
a. Is the setting and the client's condition clear to you?
b. Is the presenter clearly aware of the client's emotions, mood,
tone, physical, social and spiritual situation?
c. Is a pastoral identity evident in the presenter?
d. What issues of their own does the student bring to this situation?
What personal work do they have to do?
e. Is there evidence the student has reflected on the theological
issues involved in this situation?
f. Is there a helpful response made to the client?
g. Is there evidence the student is ready to improve his/her approach
next time? Does the student have a plan?
5. Ministry Functions Assignment: (2 pages, 450-500 words total) Please represent one of the
following topics: baptism, communion, or anointing of the sick as you consider it from
biblical perspective (150-200 words) and from your denomination/tradition (300-350 words).
How will you bring your point of view into your ministry setting?
6. Participation: Complete readings according to the assigned schedule, and use concepts from
the readings explicitly in class discussion and written assignments. Attend class sessions and
participate in large-group and small-group discussion in respectful, hospitable ways.
Participation also includes the handing in of all assignments on time, especially verbatims.
7. Attendance: More than one unexcused absences from class will cause deductions.
8. Inclusive Language: In accordance with Bethel Seminary policy, inclusive language should
be used in class discussion and papers.
9. Plagiarism: Zero Tolerance. If a student plagiarizes any of their work, it will result in failure
for the course and will be reported to the Student Development Committee.
10. Late Papers: If you do not turn in an assignment when due, the assignment will lose 10% of
its earned grade for each day that it is late. Late papers may not be graded or returned at the
same time as those received on time. The weekly reflection summaries will not be accepted
if they are not turned in prior to class.
11. Academic Course Policies: Please familiarize yourself with the catalog requirements as
specified in Academic Course Policies document found on the Registrar's website at:
https://bethelnet.bethel.edu/ureg/bssp/acp/. You are responsible for this information, and any
academic violations, such as plagiarism, will not be tolerated.
DATE
DISCUSSION T O P I C S
PREPARATION/ ASSIGNMENTS
Final Grades:
The Personal Growth Plan and Mentor evaluations are graded much more subjectively than some
other courses in seminary. In these areas I am not looking as much for cognitive growth as for
total personal growth that is clearly expressed in terms of developing one's whole self as a person
involved deeply with people in pastoral care and counseling. I will be trying to determine
whether or not the student gives evidence of having self-awareness and appropriate goals for
his/her self in growing in pastoral care skills and knowledge.
Final grades for this course are based on the following percentage of accumulated points:
A
AB+
B
96-100
92-95
89-91
86-88
BC+
C
C-
83-85
80-82
77-79
74-76
D+
D
DF
71-73
68-70
65-67
0-64
Assignment valuation:









Weekly reflection summaries, discussion posts, and participation
Integrative Essay #1
Integrative Essay #2
Verbatim #1
Verbatim #2
Personal Growth Plan
Evaluations: 20 hours completed at practicum site
Ministry Functions Assignment
Course Evaluation
Total Course points possible
15 points
15 points
15 points
7.5 points
7.5 points
10 points
20 points
7.5 points
2.5 Points
100 points
Course Evaluations: Student course assessments are an important part of course development
and enhancement. In order to recognize the value of your input and to encourage you to provide
that input, your completion of the course assessment will be included as a factor in your final
course grade. Review the course syllabus for how this will be calculated. For any questions
regarding the course evaluation process, please go to
https://bethelnet.bethel.edu/ureg/bssp/eval_index.
1/9
Week 1
Orientation to course
Images of Care & Personal Readiness
Basic skills in Pastoral Care
Selecting practicum site and arranging first
communication
Begin finding a site for clinical experience
1/23
Week 2
Basic skills in Pastoral Care cont.
Pastoral Care in Context
Integrating practice and faith
Image of God—Creation/Restoration
Due: Weekly Response Sheet
Read: Patton, Pastoral Care: An Essential Guide;
Benner, Strategic Pastoral Counseling, Ch. 1
1/30
Week 3
Developmental and Systemic Issues for Caring
Levels of Involvement in Pastoral Care
Benner model discussion
Due: Weekly Response Sheet
Read: finish Benner, Strategic Pastoral Counseling;
Hawley and Dahl “Applying the LFI Model to
Ministry” (blackboard)
Due: Discussion Post #1
Due: Discussion Post #2
2/6
Week 4
Listening as a skill
Grief
End of life issues
Due: Weekly Response Sheet
Read: Paget and McCormack, The Work of the
Chaplain
2/13
Week 5
Discuss Paget and McCormack
Ethical issues in Pastoral Care
Boundary issues and misconduct in ministry
Pastoral Care and Addiction
Referral and reporting
Due: Weekly Response Sheet
Read: Johnson and Johnson, Pastor’s Guide to
Psychological Disorders and Treatments
Due: Integrative Essay 1
2/20
Week 6
2/27
Week 7
Chronic illness
Ministry with/to the Disabled
Verbatim Groups
Class verbatim due
Depression, suicide, anxiety and other mental
health issues
Spiritual and therapeutic
connections/perspectives
Due: Weekly Response Sheet
Read: Montilla and Medina, Pastoral Care and
Counseling with Latino/as
Verbatim Groups
3/5
Week 8
Culture and ethnicity in Pastoral Care
Due: Weekly Response Sheet
Read: Wimberly, African American Pastoral Care
and Counseling
Verbatim Groups
3/12
Week 9
Pre-marital preparation
Lay Pastoral Care
Due: Integrative Essay 2
Due: Discussion Post #3
Verbatim Groups
3/19
Week 10
Pastoral Care and Ritual
Self care
Due: Student/supervisor evaluations
Due: Personal Growth Plan
Due: Ministry Functions Assignment
ADDITIONAL BIBLIOGRAPHIC RESOURCES FOR THE COURSE
Balswick, Judith & Jack. Families in Pain. Working Through the Hurts. Baker/Revell, 1997.
Bowman, George. Dying, Grieving, Faith & Family: A Pastoral Care Approach. Binghamton,
NY: Hayworth Pastoral Press, 1998.
Brister, C. W. Pastoral Care in the Church. 3rd ed. NY: Harper/Collins, 1992.
Carr, Wesley, ed. The Dictionary of Pastoral Studies. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2002.
Clark, David C. Clergy Response to Suicidal Persons & Their Families. Chicago, IL:
Exploration Press, 1993.
Clinton, Timothy and George Ohlschlager. Competent Christian Counseling: Pursuing and
Practicing Compassionate Soul Care. Colorado Springs, CO: WaterBrook Press, 2001.
Copen, Lisa J. "So You Want to Start a Chronic Illness/Pain Ministry." [booklet] San Diego:
Rest Ministries, Inc., 2002. Cf. her web site: www.restministries.org.
Dayringer, Richard. The Heart of Pastoral Counseling: Healing through Relationship. Rev. ed.
Binghamton, NY: Haworth Pastoral Press, 1998.
Gerkin, Charles. An Introduction to Pastoral Care. Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 1997.
Goldingay, John. Walk On: Life, Loss, Trust, and Other Realities. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker
Books, 2002.
Grossoehme, Daniel H. The Pastoral Care of Children. Binghamton, NY: The Haworth Pastoral
Press, 1999.
Haugk, Kenneth C. Christian Caregiving. A Way of Life. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg/Fortress,
1985. Howe, Leroy. A Pastor in Every Pew: Equipping Laity for Pastoral Care. Valley
Forge, PA: Judson Press, 2000.
Hightower, James E., Jr., ed. Caring for People from Birth to Death. Binghamton, NY: The
Haworth Pastoral Press, 1999.
Hunsinger, Deborah van Deusen. Theology and Pastoral Counseling. A New Interdisciplinary
Approach. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1995.
Hunter, Rodney, ed. Dictionary of Pastoral Care and Counseling. Nashville, TN: Abingdon,
1990. James, John W., and Russell Friedman. The Grief Recovery Handbook. Rev. ed.
NY: Harper Perennial, 1998.
June, Lee N., ed. The Black Family: Past, Present, & Future. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan,
1991. Koenig, Harold, and Andrew Weaver. The Pastoral Care of Older Adults.
Minneapolis: Augsburg/Fortress, 1998.
Knutson, Lois D. Understanding the Senior Adult. A Tool for Wholistic Ministry. Bethesda, MD:
The Alban Institute, 1999.
Louw, Daniel. A Mature Faith: Spiritual Direction & Anthropology in a Theology of Pastoral
Care and Counseling. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1999.
Lester, Andrew. Hope in Pastoral Care and Counseling. Philadelphia, PA: Westminster/John
Knox Press, 1995.
McMinn, Mark. Psychology, Theology and Spirituality in Christian Counseling. Wheaton, IL:
Tyndale House, 1996
Moesner, Jeanne Stevenson. Through the Eyes of Women. Thoughts for Pastoral Care.
Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg/Fortress, 1996.
Patton, John. Pastoral Care in Context: An Introduction to Pastoral Care. Philadelphia:
Westminster/John Knox Press, 1993.
Ramsey, Nancy J. Pastoral Diagnosis. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg/Fortress, 1998. Schlauch,
Chris. Faithful Companioning. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg/Fortress, 1995. Steinbron,
Melvin J. The Lay Driven Church. Ventura, CA: Regal, 1997.
Tack, Theodore, and Ann Murphy. The History of Pastoral Care. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical
Press, 2001.
Watson, Jeffrey A. The Courage to Care: Helping the Aging, Grieving & Dying. Grand Rapids,
MI: Baker Books, 1992.
Wiersby, David. The Dynamics of Pastoral Care. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker/Revell, 2000.
Wimberly, Edward P. African American Pastoral Care. Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 1991.
Prayer in Pastoral Counseling: Suffering, Healing and Discernment. Louisville, KY:
Westminster/John Knox Press, 1990.
Wolfelt, Alan D. Death & Grief A Guide for Clergy. Muncie, IN: Accelerated Development,
Inc., 1988.
Zonnebelt-Smeenge, Susan J., and Robert C. DeVries. Getting to the Other Side of Grief
Overcoming the Loss of a Spouse. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1998.
SUGGESTED ANCILLARY READING SOURCES FOR CLASS TOPICS:
Good reference sources in our library for researching a particular topic:
Baker's Encyclopedia of Psychology, second ed, edited by David Benner and Peter Hill.
Christian Counseling Today (magazine of AACC)
The Dictionary of Pastoral Care and Counseling, edited by R. Hunter.
The Journal of Psychology and Christianity
The Journal of Psychology and Theology
Atkinson, David J., Editor; Field, David F.; Holmes, Arthur, et.al. The New Dictionary of
Christian Ethics and Pastoral Theology. Downers Grove : InterVarsity Press,
1994.