Pre-requisites

CF501 Living in Christ

Co-requisites

None.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, the student will be able to:

• Explain the nature, historical development and dimensions of pastoral care.

• Analyse the professional standards and ethics involved in pastoral care.

• Identify and explain the difference in tasks of pastoral care from other helping professions.

• Demonstrate understanding of basic people helping skills.

Unit Description

The unit commences with an introduction to the history of pastoral care in the church.

The functions of pastoral care are itemised. Particular attention is given to the healing, sustaining and reconciling features of pastoral care. The skills that are required to meet the demands made on the care-giver in a range of situations are identified.

The pastoral care role of a minister/pastor is explored. The student analyses specific situations that require an understanding of the pastor’s caring role in: offering a caring ministry; developing and supporting lay care givers; coping with stress; and maintaining a pastoral care program in a local church.

Specific protocols about the conduct of pastoral care services are addressed with attention being given to: confidentiality and privacy issues; establishing and operating an advisory centre; telephone services; storing and disposal of records; and the release of information when required by law.

Throughout the unit, emphasis is placed on the need for spiritual carers to restrict their activities to their areas of competence. The need for an appropriate and ethical standard of behaviour in pastoral care situations is stressed throughout the unit. Through analysis of hypothetical situations, the student is required to demonstrate an understanding of the legal and ethical responsibilities of the ministry of pastoral care.

Topics

• The nature, historical development and dimensions of pastoral care.
• The professional standards and ethics involved in pastoral care.
• The difference in tasks of pastoral care from other helping professions.
• Basic people helping skills required to meet the demands made on the care-giver in a range of situations
• The pastoral care role of a minister/pastor and a church care program
• Specific protocols about the conduct of pastoral care services
• Appropriate legal and ethical standards of behaviour and responsibilities in pastoral care situations

Teaching Strategies

Teaching strategies include some or all of the following: lectures and tutorials; residential and weekend schools; class discussions; presentation of instructional material in the form of printed documentation, DVD, video and audio tape and online interaction.

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Unit offerings

Please note

The Unit Offerings listed above are a guide only and the timetable for any year is the final authority. The College may vary offerings based on demand, regulatory requirements, continual improvement processes or other conditions.

This unit may be available in different modes of delivery i.e. online and face-to-face as listed above. The unit content will not differ between these modes of delivery. There will possibly be a difference in the schedule and/or the prescribed assessment tasks, however both will cover and assess the same content.