Introduction to Pastoral and Practical Theology

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:

1. demonstrate advanced knowledge of the contemporary complex issues relating to the practice of pastoral care
2. present a critical evaluation of the role of the human sciences in pastoral theology and ministry
3. apply advanced critical skills and insights of biblical and theological scholarship to the practice of ministry
4. demonstrate mastery of complex theological reflection in the practice of ministry
5. use technical and communication skills to independently analyse professional practice.
6. During this course unit, students may acquire the following threshold concept. This concept is fundamental to a proper understanding of the unit or course. It is essential for further progress in the discipline. It is often troublesome for students:
   1. The interdisciplinary nature of pastoral theology. Evaluation of professional practice

Content

1. The theological, epistemological and biblical foundations of pastoral theology
2. Aspects of church ministry: Church structures and caring ministry
3. Key methodologies: Human sciences
4. Developing basic listening skills
5. Theological reflection on contemporary pastoral issues
6. Methods of ministry and the place of ordination / leadership

Unit Weekly Schedule