The aim of this module is to enable students to develop their understanding of Christian pastoral ministry and to develop skills for effective ministry through observation and critical theological reflection upon the practice of ministry within the context of a specific ministry placement

·        engage in critical theological reflection upon the practice of ministry;

·        describe and discuss significant elements of Christian approaches to pastoral ministry;

·        recognise and discuss issues such as the importance of boundaries within pastoral encounters;

·        identify and discuss approaches to handling issues such as conflict within local congregations;

·        assess the value of different models of theological reflection for ministry in the local context;

Students will reflect upon issues emerging from the experience of working within a ministry placement. The placement may be undertaken in a church or chaplaincy context, or within a secular organisation. Students will be encouraged to keep a reflective journal to provide an initial stage of personal reflection on practice. Case studies based on these experiences will form the basis of theological reflection; either in individual tutorials or in seminars with other students. A range of other approaches may be used dependent upon the nature of the student’s placement context.

Academic:

• critical reflection on professional practice;
• constructing clear arguments supported by relevant evidence;
• oral and written presentation;

Subject-specific:

• integrating insights from different theological disciplines;
• interpreting the culture and dynamics of religious communities;
• collaborating with others within the placement context;
• identify resources for handling conflict within the congregational setting;

Generic:

• organisation of time and resources
• self-reliance
• problem solving
• critical evaluation

Students will be assessed in two ways.

Formative assessment: 

The completion of critical event analysis on three pastoral situations.  Two of these will be reflected upon with their placement supervisor and the third presented in a seminar for discussion with their tutor and peers.  A written summary of these will then form part of the summative placement report.

Summative assessment:

A 5,000 word critical and analytical placement report including theological reflection employing appropriate academic sources.

N.B. In addition to completing the formative and summative assessments outlined above, students are also required to undertake relevant reading and other kinds of preparation specified by the module teacher for the different sessions if asked to do so.

Introductory sessions with the module tutor will review a range of theological reflection models and will provide guidance for keeping a reflective journal.

Arising from the experiences recorded in the students’ reflective journals, each student will provide at least 3 case studies which will be discussed either in individual tutorials with the module tutor, or in group seminars working with other students. The student (or group of students) will engage in critical theological reflection on each of the case studies. As the case studies arise from the practice of ministry within the placement context, this means that a range of pastoral, practical and theological issues will be discussed during the tutorials and seminars. The module will encourage students to explore the value of different approaches to reflective practice, so that these approaches can become resources for continuing work within the placement. Connections will be made with theological resources; and with resources from other disciplines which offer useful perspectives on the issues being discussed. Reflection upon issues emerging from ministry in the contemporary context will provoke discussion about best practice and professional behaviour within the context of Christian ministry. This will involve consideration of issues such as power relationships and the value of observing professional boundaries when engaging in the practice of Christian ministry.

Please see Background Reading List for an indicative list.

Ballard P. & Holmes S. (2005) The Bible in Pastoral Practice. London, DLT.

Carr W., Abholzer A., Williams R. et al Eds. (2002) The New Dictionary of Pastoral Studies. London. SPCK

Carr W. (1997) Handbook of Pastoral Studies.  London, SPCK

Cocksworth C. & Brown R. (2006) Being a Priest Today: Exploring Priestly Identity.  Rev Ed. Norwich, Canterbury Press.

Elford R (1999) The Pastoral Nature of Theology. London, Cassell.

Graeme E. & Hasley M. (1993) Life Cycles, Women and Pastoral Care.  London, SPCK.

Fowler J. (1987) Faith Development and Pastoral Care.  Philadelphia, Fortress Press.

Jacobs M. (2001) Still Small Voice: An Introduction to Pastoral Counselling. London, SPCK

Jacobs M. (2000) Swift to Hear: Facilitating Skills in Listening and Responding.. 2^nd Ed. London, SPCK

Lartey E. (2006) Pastoral Theology in an Intercultural World.  Peterborough, Epworth.

Lyall D. (2001) Integrity of Pastoral Care. London, SPCK.

Pattison S. (2000) A Critique of Pastoral Care 3^rd.ed.  London, SCM Press.

Ross A. (2003)  Counselling Skills for Church and Faith Community Workers.  Maidenhead, Open University Press.

Watts F, Nye R. & Savage S. (2002) Psychology for Christian Ministry. London, Routledge.

Weaver, John, Outside-In. Theological reflection on life. Smyth & Helwys, 2006