Teacher: Erin Strakalaitis

This study course in Pastoral Counseling is designed to acquaint the student with the basic aspects of the ministry of care- counseling.  It is based upon the premise that ministry is primarily care giving.  An important key to effective pastoral ministry is the development of pastoral care skills.  These skills include the capacity to listen, the ability to be present with people, the recognition of basic human dynamics, and the knowledge to use these skills effectively in relating to people.  When you add to these aspects the pastor's compassion for people, his/her commitment to be the channel of God's grace to others, and the resources of the Christian faith, the potential for an effective, redemptive ministry is present.

Furthermore, this study course assumes that counseling is one form of care that all pastors will at some time be asked to provide.  No pastor can avoid the request for counseling.  Yet, counseling is only one type of care pastors are asked to provide.  This study course recognizes that NOT all pastors will develop counseling as the central focus of their ministry, but all pastors will need to be familiar with the basic aspects of counseling.  This course is introductory in intent.  Those that have taken courses in counseling prior to this one may find this to be a review.  Whatever level of knowledge or experience you bring to this study, use it to enhance the questions being asked.