P7101 – Introduction to Pastoral Theology and Ministry
Unit Code
P7101
Unit Name
Introduction to Pastoral Theology and Ministry (undergraduate)
Unit Weighting
9 Credit Points
Type of Unit
Foundational
Prerequisites, corequisites or exclusions
Nil
Academic Staff
Rev Dr. Fr. Mark Basily; BE (UNSW), MTh (UON), DMin (PTS)
Curriculum Objectives
This course unit is an introduction to pastoral and practical theology for ministry. It is also an opportunity to overview the biblical and theological foundations of ministry. Common aspects of ministry will be considered.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the unit students will be able to:
- demonstrate a sound knowledge of key issues relating to the practice of pastoral care
- display a sound understanding of the role of the human sciences in pastoral theology and ministry
- apply the critical insights of biblical and theological foundations to the practice of ministry
- demonstrate the process of reflection in the practice of ministry
- develop and apply effective skills for pastoral ministry
Content:
- The theological, epistemological and biblical foundations of pastoral theology
- Aspects of church pastoral and caring ministry
- Human science perspectives on contemporary pastoral issues
- Basic listening skills
- Developing reflective practice in pastoral ministry
- Methods of ministry and the place of ordination / leadership
Unit Weekly Schedule
| Week 1 | The Good Shepherd, Ministry of Christ – Biblical foundations: |
| Week 2 | Pastoral Biblical Models – Biblical foundations: |
| Week 3 | Practical Ministry – Aspects of Church Ministry: |
| Week 4 | Spiritual Counselling – Listening Skills |
| Critical Article Review | |
| Week 5 | Missiology – Key Methodologies: |
| Week 6 | Theological reflection on contemporary pastoral issues – Ministry in a Secular Age: |
| Week 7 | Theological reflection on contemporary pastoral issues – Bioethics for ministry: |
| Week 8 | Patristic Reflection on Ministry: |
| Student Presentation | |
| Week 9 | Methods of Ministry and the place of ordination – Spiritual Leadership and Authority: |
| Week 10 | Preaching from Scripture and the Fathers – Human Sciences: |
| Week 11 | The art of homiletics – Human Sciences: |
| Week 12 | Scripture – Exegesis for Preaching – Human Sciences: |
| Major Essay |
