Course Description
The course is designed to help the students have a basic understanding of pastoral care by focusing on these points:
i) Clinical – The data analysis is based on the actual data that was collected through observation, the experiences and feelings.
ii) Pastoral – the connection and needs of providing emotional and spiritual support.
iii) Educational – it is a process where both the pastor and the pastored are ministered. It is theological.
Course Objectives:
This course aims to enable students to:
a) provide the foundation of pastoral care to provide spiritual and emotional support.
b) give the Scriptural framework for pastoral care.
c) introduce the fundamental soft skills needed for pastoral care.
1. Verbatim Assignment
a) The student is required to present at least three verbatim as per the given format.
b) Every student must submit seven verbatim as per the given format.
c) Failure to follow the format will result in an automatic failing grade.
2. Class Participation
3. Reading Assignment
Switzer, David K. Pastoral Care Emergencies: Ministering to People in Crisis.
Integration Books. New York: Paulist Press, 1989.
a) A summary of the book's central thesis (not more than half of your paper)
b) Your evaluation of the book, with reasons for your response.
c) Not more than 1000 words.
4. Essay
“There are many images of pastoral care portrayed by Robert C Dykstra.” Based on these images of pastoral care, choose five images of pastoral care that suit you.
Recommended Readings
Abbarow, D. Steven. Pastoral Care: Spiritual and Self-Awareness. Singapore:
Genesis Books, 2018.
CCL. “Active Listening Techniques: Best Practices for Leaders.” Accessed October 15, 2025. https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/coachingothers-use-active-listening-skills/.
Clinebell, Howard John. Basic Types of Pastoral Care & Counseling : Resources for the Ministry of Healing and Growth. With Internet Archive. Nashville :
Abingdon Press, 1984. http://archive.org/details/basictypesofpast0000clin_u5t7.
Coulter, Paul B. Keeping Care Pastoral. Ireland: PESIOD Publications, 2022.
Dykstra, Robert C. Images of Pastoral Care: Classic Reading. Saint Louis: Chalice Press, 2014.
McDonald, Dave. “Pastoral Care (1): Definitions and Background.” The Gospel Coalition | Australia, December 31, 2015.
https://au.thegospelcoalition.org/article/pastoral-care/.
Ph.D, Kirsty Gardiner. “How to Use The Johari Window Exercise for Leadership.” PositivePsychology.Com, August 8, 2023.
https://positivepsychology.com/johari-window/.
“Reflective Listening.” Accessed October 15, 2025.
http://www.analytictech.com/mb119/reflecti.htm.
Switzer, David K. Pastoral Care Emergencies: Ministering to People in Crisis.
Integration Books. New York: Paulist Press, 1989.
Taylor, Harold. Applied Theology 2: “Tend My Sheep.” TEF Study Guide 19. London:
SPCK, 1983.
Course Evaluation:
1. Verbatim Assignment – 30%
a) The student is required to present at least three verbatim as per the given format
b) Every student must submit seven verbatim as per the given format
c) Failure to follow the format will automatically result in a failing grade.
2. Class Participation – 5%
3. Reading Assignment – 15%
Switzer, David K. Pastoral Care Emergencies: Ministering to People in Crisis.
Integration Books. New York: Paulist Press, 1989.
a) A summary of the book's central thesis (not more than half of your paper)
b) Your evaluation of the book, with reasons for your response.
c) Not more than 1000 words.
4. Essay – 50%
“There are many images of pastoral care portrayed by Robert C Dykstra.” Based on these images of pastoral care, choose five images of pastoral care that suit you. Why? (3000 words), submission before 15th December 2025