Pastoral Counselling Syllabus

Introduction
Pastoral counselling is a very large subject largely because there are several (maybe even lots) of
different schools of thought you are dealing with. There are diverse issues and methods and
theologies that a counsellor may struggle with and how to bring them to bear ethically and biblically.
There are several basics in pastoral counselling that transcend issues, methods and even
theologies. These I hope that you will have growth in while you do your studies. In the reflection part
of your papers you would be wise to cover these issues whenever relevant.
1. The counsellors mental and emotional health. !ne that is sic" themselves is rarely able to
objectively loo" at another and bring healing. #ven unintentionally they will be trying to bring
healing to themselves. $esus spo"e about the inability of one to remove the spec" from anothers eye
when there is a beam in your own.
%. The counsellors "nowledge of the word. Pastor counselling needs to be rooted in practical
scriptural application. This is not good wishes but effective e&egesis and application of scripture that
accurately represents another persons situation. If this is not the case we are dealing with friendship
and not pastoral counselling.
'. The counsellors ability to listen. (ost pastors learn to spea" and assume that is what they do for
every situation is share the right word. To counsel a minister needs to ta"e time to "eep their mouths
shut and their ears open. The pastor who needs to tal" will be a poor counsellor regardless if they feel
that they are full of wisdom.
). The right motivation. *ome pastors counsel so that they can control the lives of others+ *ome to
get information, some to help themselves, and some because they are lonely. The right motivation
comes from a combination of calling from -od, a love for those who -od loves, and an ability
engage people with truth and "indness.
.. The right bac"up. /ounsellors need accountability in the areas of ethics, se&uality, duty,
professional bac"up, and burnout. 0ithout bac" up a counsellor inevitably falls into an emotional or
ethical ditch that may destroy their ministry and certainly their effectiveness for perhaps a long
period of time.
1. 2nowledge of your limitations. 3 good counsellor will "now how much that they dont "now. This
course will introduce you to part of the broad spectrum of pastoral counselling but for many things it
will ta"e more then your e&pertise to help someone. 2nowing where your limitations are will help
you to refer when necessary instead of wearing yourself and your counselee out.
Purpose+
1. To encourage students that /hristian counselling is a valuable tool for pastors.
%. To enable the student to counsel their parishioners on a basic level.
'. To protect the pastor and counselee by encouraging ethical boundaries and professional
conduct.
). To train students to use the scriptures as the basis and as a tool in their counselling efforts.
.. To give an idea of the broad spectrum of pastoral counselling that includes /hristian
coaching.
Required texts:
These te&ts are available for download or as hardcopy. 4nfortunately /ollins boo" is not
available for download so a hard copy will be necessary.
Competent to Counsel: Introduction to Nouthetic Counseling (Jay Adams Library
by $ay #. 3dams
Christian Counseling A Comprehensi!e "uide
by -ary 5. /ollins
#inistering to the #ourning: A Practical "uide $or Pastors% Church Leaders% and &ther
Caregi!ers
by 0arren 0iersbe and 6avid 0iersbe
Leadership Coaching: 'he (isciplines% )*ills% and +eart o$ a Christian Coach
by Tony *tolt7fus
Assignments
The student is re8uired to complete all reading, discussion, and writing assignments. There is a
focus in this course on your reading. The focus of our forum will be on collaborative learning
and reflection. 9our reflections on the issues will be the most beneficial aspect of helping others
to understand how to engage both /hristians and non /hristians on the issues covered in this
course.
I Interacti!e assignments (6ue each wee" posted)
#ach wee" there will be 8uestions that you will be re8uired to answer posted on the course web
site. 9ou are re8uired to respond online to each 8uestion by :riday and then by *unday read all
responses and then thoughtfully reflect to at least one (more then one is better;) other persons
posting. These answers and responses should be substantial, meaning they re8uire at least a
paragraph that e&presses some thought concerning the 8uestion. It would also be beneficial to
reflect on someones answer that has not had someone else respond to their thoughts.
Important note: Pay attention to reading levels; This is a "ey for you to get through the course
in good time. 6ont get bogged down, but do enjoy. !nly % of your te&ts are read at a level %, the
rest are at level one.
II Reading and ,riting assignment (6ue *unday wee" %
Competent to Counsel: Introduction to Nouthetic Counseling (Jay Adams Library
by $ay #. 3dams 5eading level+ 1.
1. *ummari7e the authors ideas in these sections+ 0hat is <outhetic counselling, The Pastor as a
<outhetic counsellor, /onfess your sins, *olving problems noutheticlly, *ome principals of
<outhetic techni8ues, /ommunication and multiple counselling. 0rite 1 page per section for a
total of 1 pages.
%. 0rite 1=% pages on your personal thoughts on the authors basic ideas concerning nouthetic
counselling.
)pecial Note: As in your last course please submit your ,ritten assignments to
edelman-ted.hotmail/com/
III Reading and ,riting assignment (6ue *unday wee" ))
Christian Counseling A Comprehensi!e "uide
by -ary 5. /ollins
5eading level+1
1. 0rite a one page summery of each of the sections by the author and provide your own
reflections on the topic (Introductory issues, Personal issues, 6evelopmental issues,
Interpersonal issues, Identity issues, :amily issues, !ther issues, and /oncluding issues) for a
total of > pages.
%. 0rite a page on the differences and similarities between 3dams and /ollins and their
approaches to /hristian counselling.
I0 Reading and ,riting assignment (6ue *unday wee" .)
#inistering to the #ourning: A Practical "uide $or Pastors% Church Leaders% and &ther
Caregi!ers
by 0arren 0iersbe and 6avid 0iersbe
5eading level+ %.
0rite a brief summery of each of the ten chapters and your feelings concerning what you have
read. (1?%=1 page for each chapter for a total of .@ pages)
%. 0rite a one page on the subject of how important it is that a pastor has faith and understanding
concerning the issue of death for their congregation.
0 Reading and ,riting assignment (6ue *unday wee" 1)
Leadership Coaching: 'he (isciplines% )*ills% and +eart o$ a Christian Coach
by Tony *tolt7fus
5eading level+ %.
This is a boo" about the other side of counselling. This is not about bringing people through their
problems as it is to help bring people to their potential. Pastoring should be about both about
helping those who have problems and difficulties as well as inspiring and encouraging those who
desire to grow.
5eading level %.
1. 0rite a ' page summery of the two sections, the coaching paradigm and the coaching process.
(' pages)
%. 0rite a single page about your thoughts and feelings concerning pastoral wor" and coaching
and how they may fit together.

#ar*ing
9ou will be mar"ed on how well you did each part of your assignment in terms of content and
thoughtfulness. (a"e certain you answer all 8uestions in writing assignments.
Interactive forum assignments I 1.A
5eading and writing II assignment %BA
5eading and writing III assignment 'BA
5eading and writing IC assignment %BA
5eading and writing C assignment 1.A