Responding Pastorally to Critical Issues in Contemporary Ministry (DP3042W)

Content

This unit explores the personal, social, and spiritual challenges shaping contemporary life and considers thoughtful, ethical, and contextually grounded pastoral responses. Students engage key themes such as mental health and psychological distress, aging and loss, trauma and abuse, suicide and self-harm, and changing patterns of family and community. Drawing on biblical, theological, and contemporary pastoral care perspectives, the unit critically examines models of care that are trauma-aware, relational, and professionally responsible. Particular attention is given to the role of Christian communities as spaces of belonging and formation, and to the responsibilities of community members as primary caregivers in diverse contexts.

Learning outcomes

Unit sequence

15 points in Field D

Pedagogy

This unit is grounded in reflective, dialogical, and integrative practical theology. It assumes that pastoral wisdom is formed through critical engagement between lived experience, theological tradition, and contemporary social realities. Teaching and learning are shaped by adult learning principles, encouraging students to integrate theory and practice through theological reflection, case-based analysis, and critical self-awareness in relational contexts. Learning activities (including lectures, seminars, case studies, and guided reflection) are designed to cultivate ethical discernment, trauma-aware sensitivity, theological depth, and reflective pastoral identity.

Indicative Bibliography

• Cooper-White, P. Shared Wisdom: Use of the Self in Pastoral Care and Counseling (Rev. ed.). Fortress Press, 2011.
• Corey, G., Corey, M. S., & Callanan, P. Issues and Ethics in the Helping Professions (10th ed.). Cengage Learning, 2019.
• Doehring, C. The Practice of Pastoral Care: A Postmodern Approach (Revised ed.). Westminster John Knox Press, 2015.
• Franklin, C., & Fong, R. Mental Health Interventions for Clergy and Pastoral Caregivers. Oxford University Press, 2019.
• Geldard, D., Geldard, K., & Foo, R. Counselling Skills in Everyday Life (4th ed.). Cengage Learning, 2017.
• Killen, J. L., & DeBeer, J. The Art of Theological Reflection. Crossroad, 2017.
• Koenig, H. G. Religion and Mental Health: Research and Clinical Applications. Academic Press, 2018.
• Lartey, E. Postcolonializing God: An African Practical Theology. SCM Press, 2018.
• Patton, J. Pastoral Care: An Essential Guide (Revised ed.). Abingdon Press, 2019.
• Roberts, S. B. Professional Spiritual and Pastoral Care: A Practical Clergy and Chaplains Handbook. Skylight Paths, 2016.
• Swinton, J. Becoming Friends of Time: Disability, Timefulness, and Gentle Discipleship. SCM Press, 2017.
• Whitehead, E. E., & Whitehead, J. D. Transforming Our Painful Emotions: Spiritual Resources in Anger, Shame, Grief, Fear and Loneliness. Orbis Books, 2016.
• Campbell-Reed, E. Pastoral Imagination: Bringing the Practice of Ministry to Life. Fortress Press, 2021.
• Swinton, J. Finding Jesus in the Storm: The Spiritual Lives of Christians with Mental Health Challenges. Eerdmans, 2020.

Assessment