BIPA 471 Theology and Practice of Pastoral Counseling Course Syllabus

Transcription

1 Maranatha Baptist University Dr. Steven Love Watertown, WI Fall 2015 Course Description: BIPA 471 Theology and Practice of Pastoral Counseling Course Syllabus Pastoral Counseling focuses on the responsibility of a pastor to function as a personal shepherd for members of his congregation. This course will place specific focus on utilizing the truths of Scriptures to assist believers at times of important decision making. Also, it will provide additional information that will assist the pastor in protecting the integrity of his ministry. Specific topics will include: pre-marital and marital counseling, grief counseling, legal issues in counseling, conflict resolution, and church discipline. Course Goals and Objectives: 1. To further develop a commitment to the sufficiency of the Word of God and the Spirit of God when counseling members 2. To provide a forum for discussing contemporary challenges to pastoral counseling in light of increasing confusion among believers 3. To equip future pastors with the initial tools to critically apply Scripture truth to marketplace problems in the lives of their congregation 4. To provoke students to do personal research in areas of specific counseling 5. To instruct students to differentiate between Bible solutions and worldly solutions to life s problems Textbooks: Each student taking the course should have already completed Introduction to Biblical Counseling. Thus an understanding of the foundation and practice of Biblical counseling should be established. This course will allow the students to do directed study in a specific area in which they desire to become more proficient. Thus, the textbooks for this course will be chosen by the student from the attached bibliography and through their personal study. A total of 1000 pages will be read and reported on the attached reading report. Specific information regarding texts and assignments is below. Not all topics provided below will be addressed in class. Specific guidance can be sought from any of the lecturers. Course Requirements: 1. Reading: Read 1000 pages in accordance with the writing assignment below. Record your reading on the attached reading report and turn in with papers. The first reading report is due with the first paper. It should have a minimum of 375 pages of reading. The second reading report is due with your second paper. It should have a minimum of 375 pages of reading also. (One should not read 500 pages for the first paper and then only 250 for the second.) The final 250 pages will be for your third paper. 2. Annotated Bibliography: For each book read there should be an extended annotated bibliographical reference. The reference should be at least 6-8 sentences that describe the contribution of the reading to the topic. There are instructional templates for a proper annotated bibliography on the MyMaranatha site. Please use them. Failure to do so will result in a reduced 1

2 grade. 3. Writing Assignments: Students will choose two specific topics in the area of pastoral counseling from the list below. You may choose any two that you desire to research. Read 375 pages on that specific topic. Write a page research paper that addresses the following: i. Pre-Marital Counseling: Develop a Biblical theology of one particular topic that would be addressed within pre-marital counseling. The topics could include: physical intimacy, communication, complementarianism, egalitarianism, finances, or other topic approved in advance by the professor. ii. Lawsuits: Develop a Biblical explanation for addressing lawsuits within the confines of two believers within your congregation. Using a case scenario, work out each step toward resolution of that lawsuit. iii. Bio-ethics: Choose a particular topic within bioethics; develop a biblical worldview on that issue. Using case scenarios work out your convictions as decisions need to be made. iv. Child Funeral: Write your Biblical position on the death of a child (8-9 pages). Construct a funeral message for the sudden death of a two-year old (remainder of the paper). v. Marriage/Divorce: Develop a church position paper on the topic of divorce and remarriage. Do the exegetical work to validate your position for the first section of the paper. Then the second half should be written for church members to read so that they understand your position and its underlying Biblical framework. vi. Church Discipline: Create a position paper on the process of Biblical church discipline. Define each step of the process with Biblical support. Define the nature of what types of sin, duration, etc. vii. ADD: Create a Biblical position paper on how a Christian should respond to ADD and similar behavioral diagnoses. In practical terms with Biblical truths define how you would counsel a family whose child is identified as having this type of disorder. viii. AA 12 Step Program: Critically and biblically analyze the AA 12 step program. What elements of the program are acceptable? What elements are not? What could be done to align it to Biblical truth? ix. Pornographic Addiction: Define the nature of the sin of pornography. What are the potential root causes? Provide a Biblical answer for someone who is struggling with pornographic addiction. x. Depression: Develop a Biblical theology of depression. Define what it is and what it is not. Develop a Biblical answer for someone who is struggling with xi. depression. Other approved topic: A student may recommend another topic to Dr. Love. The topic will have to be approved prior to writing. 4. Philosophy of Pastoral Counseling: Write a 7-10 page paper defining your philosophy of Pastoral Counseling. Your paper should address issues of: authority, personnel, priority, privacy, practice, etc. It should be formatted as a formal resource paper with sources being utilized. Formatting: This paper is academic in nature (a position paper, theology, etc.) and this should follow the prescribed MBBC, Bible department format. Sources should be utilized and noted. It is assumed that a paper at this level will include the highest quality sources available on the given topics. Journal articles and exegetical commentaries are expected for all papers. Internet sources should be highly limited. Due Dates: The first paper is due by 11:55 pm on Thursday, October 15. The philosophy of pastoral counseling paper is due on Thursday, November 5, at 11:55 pm. The third paper is due at 11:55 pm 2

3 Tuesday, December 1. Late Work: All work done late will receive a grade reduction of 4% points for each twenty-four hour period beyond the due date. Course Grading: 1. The final grade will be calculated as follows: Paper #1 30% Paper #2 30% Philosophy Paper 10% Annotated Bibliography 12% Reading 8% 2. Grading Scale: A C A C B C B D B F Attendance Policy: Attendance will be in accordance with the institutional policy. It is the responsibility of the student to keep track of their own attendance record. ADA Policy: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, the law requires that all students with disabilities be given a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Student Success Center director at learning.assistance@mbu.edu. Office Hours Steven Love Office: Cell: Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday 11:00a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Friday 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. steven.love@mbu.edu 3

4 Class Schedule Date TTH Topic Speaker September 1 Introduction and Syllabus Dr. Love Counsel in Guarding the Truth 3 Counsel in Preaching the Word Dr. Love 8 Counsel in Praying for the Flock Dr. Love 10 Divorce and Remarriage Dr. Saxon 15 Counseling as Outreach Dr. Kurtz 17 Counseling as Outreach Dr. Kurtz 22 Counseling as Outreach Dr. Kurtz 24 Divorce and Remarriage Dr. Saxon 29 Bio-ethics Dr. Hudson October 1 Bio-ethics Dr. Hudson 6 Bio-ethics Dr. Hudson 8 Bio-ethics Dr. Hudson 13 Divorce and Remarriage Dr. Saxon 15 Grief and Addiction Counseling Dr. Meyer First Paper Due at 11:55 PM 20 Counsel in Setting an Example Dr. Love 22 Counsel in Visiting the Sick Dr. Love 27 Counsel in Comforting the Dr. Love Grieving 29 Divorce and Remarriage Dr. Saxon November 3 Counsel in Caring for Widows Dr. Love 5 Grief and Addiction Counseling Dr. Meyer Philosophy of Counseling Paper Due at 11:55 pm 10 Pre-marital Counseling Pastor Chad Prigge 12 Pre-marital Counseling Pastor Chad Prigge 17 Pre-marital Counseling Pastor Chad Prigge 19 Counsel in Confronting Sin Dr. Love 24 Thanksgiving 26 Thanksgiving December 1 Counsel in Encouraging the Dr. Love Weaker Sheep Third Paper Due at 11:55 pm 3 Counsel in Identifying and Dr. Love Training Leaders 8 Completion of Textbook Work Dr. Love 10 Completion of Textbook Work Dr. Love 4

5 Name Course READING REPORT Book or Journal Title Author Date Read Page Num to Page Num Pages Credit pp. 5