January 3, 2014-April 4, 2018 Wednesdays 8:30-11:20 a.m. STP 400/MPS 100 Introduction to Pastoral Theology Winter 2018 Course Outline Instructor: Sr. Zoe Bernatsky SSMI Office Hours: Wednesday from 1:00-4:00 p.m. and by appointment, Office #2-07 Phone: 780.392.2450 ext. 2213 Email address: zoe.bernatsky@newman.edu Course Description This course will explore the biblical and historical roots of pastoral theology, explore the theological foundations and current understanding of pastoral theology, facilitate an initial exploration of a theology of ministry, and provide an introduction to theological reflection and other formational practices for ministry. Course Objectives Students will: a) examine the nature of pastoral theology as a discipline; including its history, methods, and relevance for the Church and for society. b) develop a personal theology of ministry which will guide practice. c) reflect on lived experience through various models of theological reflection through integration of theological learning and evangelical discernment of the signs of the times including the culturally diverse Church and world. d) deepen the awareness of God s presence in all experiences of life and integrate experience and reflection into personal human, spiritual and ministerial formation. e) demonstrate the ability to integrate theory and practice which will be applied in future congregational leadership and ministry. Course Assignments and Evaluation 1. We find our callings within the stories of our lives, the story of God at work all around us. How have you experienced being called by God? What difference has it made for you and others? (If you haven t, what might happen if you started to see your life as a story of callings). Within this reflection of your calling/s in your life articulate the contours of a personal theology of ministry. Or: Answer the question, What is Practical Theology? through a written summary of Chapter 2- Chapter 6 in Invitation to Practical Theology: Catholic Voices and Visions. Undergraduate students will submit 3 pages double spaced or 900 words with a least two references for 20% of the final grade to be handed in no later than noon on January 15 th ). Graduate students will submit 3-5 pages double spaced or 900-1500 words with at least four references for 10% of the final grade) to be handed in no later than noon on January 15 th ). tel 780.392.2450 10012 84 Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta T6A 0B2 www.newman.edu
2. Graduate Students only: Presentation on a section of assigned reading and be prepared to facilitate a short class discussion (10% of mark). (Grade based on: organization, accurate communication of ideas, engagement with audience, creativity and additional research-2.5 marks each for a total of 10%) 3. All students: Reflection paper on Field Ministry visit or Blanket exercise (10% of final grade) Due Feb. 14 or arrange with professor if participating in Blanket exercise. 4. All students: Theological Reflection paper (case study) of 4-5 pages due Feb. 28 (30% of final mark) 5. All students: A second Theological Reflection paper (case study) or research paper on a topic of interest related to Pastoral Theology (6-10 pages double-spaced for undergraduate students and 7-12 pages double-spaced for graduate students) which will be submitted by April 13 th (30%). 6. All students: Constructive and respectful class participation based on the critical reading of assigned texts and careful listening and sharing with others in class. (10% of final grade). Because of the nature of the discussion it is highly important not to carry the content of pastoral conversations beyond the classrooms walls and to make special efforts to disguise the identity of people when discussing pastoral concerns and experiences. Much of the learning that goes on in a classroom is founded upon mutual discourse. Cell phones must be silenced and use of laptops and other devices may be used in the classroom for note taking purposes only. Use of the internet is not permitted while class is in session unless it is part of a specific class activity. Students wishing to send a text message or search for information should do this during the break. Consistent and timely attendance is required. If a student is unable to attend a class, the instructor is to be informed by email. Consistent with the policy of Newman College, students taking the class for credit allows for no more than 1/3 of course absent. Textbooks Required: 1. James Whitehead and Evelyn Eaton Whitehead, Methods in Ministry: Theological Reflection and Christian Ministry (Kansas City: Sheed and Ward, 1995). 2. Robert Kinast, Let Ministry Teach (Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1996). 3. Patricia O Connell Killen and John de Beer, The Art of Theological Reflection (Crossroads: New York, 1995. Suggested: 4. Claire Wolfteich (ed.) Invitation to Practical Theology: Catholic Voices and Visions (New York: Paulist Press, 2014) Chapters 2-6 required reading available on Moodle). 5. Carrie Doehring, The Practice of Pastoral Care: A Postmodern Approach Revised and Expanded Edition (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2015) Chapter 2-4 6. Richard Gula, Just Ministry (Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 2010) Chapter 5 & 6. Recommended Reading Pope Francs, Apostolic Exhortation: Evangelii gaudium (2013) Vatican Council II, Dignaitatis humanae (Declaration on Religious Freedom) Vatican Council II, Gaudium et spes Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World Vatican Council II, Lumen gentium Dogmatic Constitution on the Church John Paul II, Apostolic Exhortation: Pastores dabo vobis, 1992. CCCB Statement, Responsibility in Ministry. US National Association for Lay Ministry, Standards: Code of Ethics Page 2 of 5
Supplementary 1. Abigail Johnson, Reflecting with God (Herdon, VA: The Alban Institute, 2004). 2. Robert Kinast, Let Ministry: A Guide to Theological Reflection (Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1996). 3. Margaret Lavin, Theology for Ministry (Ottawa: Novalis, 2004). 4. Bonnie Miller-McLemore (ed.), The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Practical Theology (Chichester, West Sussex, UK: Wiley Blackwell Publishing, 2014). 5. Terry Veling, Practical Theology: On Earth as it is in Heaven (Maryknoll: Orbis, 2005). 6. Raymond Webb, The Development of a Catholic Practical Theology, Chicago Studies 45, Spring 2006:105-117. 7. Bonnie Miller-McLemore, Christian Theology in Practice: Discovering a Discipline, (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdman s Publishing Co., 2012) Chapter 4 Practical Theology: a Definition p. 100-109. 8. Elaine Graham, Heather Walton, and France Ward, Theological Reflection: Methods (London: SCM, 2005. Course Requirements This course in pastoral theology takes as its basic task, the promotion of faithful discipleship in order to facilitate the formation of those called to serve as ministers in the Church. This class provides an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of ministry through reflection upon discipleship rooted in the Christian tradition. Since pastoral theology focuses on responding to concrete situations, this course emphasizes intentional reflection on events and concrete settings that must be encountered faithfully in order to understand the existing situation and to propose eventual direction for action. Ministers serve as key communicators and interpreters of the lived reality of the faith within their local settings. They draw insights from biblical, historical, ethical, spiritual, and theological resources to help people make sense of their lives. Therefore, in addition to becoming familiar with the literature related to pastoral theology, developing the ability to reflect theologically is an important component of this course. Such reflection should become a lifelong practice of ministers as they interpret their pastoral experience in light of Scripture, Church teaching, personal faith, and pastoral practices. These goals will be evaluated through class participation, reflection papers, oral presentations, projects and papers. General Academic Information Extensions: Assignments must be handed in on time as designated in the syllabus. In situations of grave concern, please see the professor. More information on the late submission policy can be found in the Student Handbook Plagiarism: Acts of academic dishonesty such as plagiarism are subject to penalty including a grade of F. Further details are available in the Student Handbook. Academic grievances: Information related to academic grievances can be found in the Student Handbook. Grade calculation: NTC reports letter grades based on a 4.0 system. For more information on the grading system see the NTC Academic Calendar. Writing Style: Chicago, Turabian, MLA, or APA Special Learning Needs: If you have special learning needs, please see the professor to discuss how these needs can best be met. Course Schedule 1. Introduction to Pastoral Theology January 3 Introduction to Course/Review of Syllabus Student Background and Interests The Nature of Pastoral Theology Page 3 of 5
Whitehead and Whitehead, Method in Ministry: Introduction and Part I (pp. ix-19) Pope Francs, Apostolic Exhortation: Evangelii gaudium (2013). CCCB Statement Responsibility in Ministry. Additional: Robert Imbelli and Thomas Groome, Note Signposts towards a Pastoral Theology, Theological Studies 53 (1992):127-137. Introduction of Assignment #1 due January 15, 2017 2. A Model of Reflection in Ministry January 10 Introduce Theological Reflection as a tool for ministerial formation. Theological reflection is a process, which uses religious experience and ministry as a text for study and discernment using various methods and perspectives. This process helps us to understand and shape theology and faith in families, parishes, hospitals, and other social institutions. Method in Ministry Part II Model of Reflection in Ministry pp. 23-64 Methods in Ministry, Part III A Method for Reflection in Ministry pp. 67-102 3) A Method for Reflection in Ministry January 17 Patricia O Connell Killen and John de Beer, The Art of Theological Reflection (Crossroads: New York, 1995: pp.1-45 pp. 46-94 4) Theological Reflection: Making Faith Connections January 24 Kinast, Let Ministry: A Guide to Theological Reflection (Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1996), vii-41. Regina Coll, Supervision of Ministry Students (Collegeville, Liturgical Press. 1992) Chapter 5 Theological Reflection: Making Faith Connections p. 91-110. Writing a Theological Reflection/Verbatim Preparing for Ministerial Visits 5) The Practice of Pastoral Care Jan. 31 Carrie Doehring, The Practice of Pastoral Care: A Postmodern Approach Revised and Expanded Edition (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2015) Chapter 2-3 Chapter 2 Basic Ingredients of Caregiving Relationships _ Chapter 3 Embodied Listening Richard Gula, Ethics in Pastoral Ministry (Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1996) Chapter 5 The Dynamics of Power pp. 117-155 Page 4 of 5
6) Becoming Integrated Leaders: Emotional Intelligence Feb. 7 (confirmed) Reading TBA 7) Ministry Visits Feb. 14 Exploration of facets of ministry and learning goals for pastoral placement. Choose an area of ministry you are interested in or in which you hope to be engaged. Make a site visit; begin to reflect on your learning goals related to future ministry. Reading Week Feb. 21 8) ) Religious Education Feb. 28 (confirmed) (Guest Speaker: Fowler s Stages of Faith Development) TBA Hand in Summary of Ministerial Visit 9) One Spirit, Many Gifts: Opportunities for Ministry March 7? Guests from various ministries based in interests of the class and availability of guests. Theological Reflection (Case#1) Due Richard Gula, Just Ministry (Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 2010) Chapter 7 Confidentiality p. 117-141 5 Chapter 6 Sexuality pp. 156-188 10) Truth and Reconciliation/Indigenous Culture and Spirituality March 14 TBA 11) Loss, Violence, Poverty, Homelessness, and Coping March 21 Preaching, spiritual direction, leadership TBA Kathleen Cahalan, Swimming: How the Practice of Lectio Divina Heals and Transforms in Christian Practical Wisdom: What it is and Why it Matters (p. 45-63) and Kathleen Cahalan, Unknowing: Spiritual Practices and the Search for A Wisdom Epistemology (p. 275-321) in Christian Practical Wisdom: What it is and Why it Matters (Grand Rapids: Eerdman s Publishing Company, 2016). 12) Group work with Theological Reflections March 28 Self- Care Health and Well-Being Conflict Management Additional Student Presentations as needed 13) Conclusions April 4 Preparing for Field Placement NOTE: Blanket exercise: If possible, a Blanket Exercise will be organized as part of the course, but if not possible, participation in a Blanket Exercise may be done instead of the Field Visit or as part of a Theological Reflection. Page 5 of 5