School:

Boston College School of Theology & Ministry

BTI Category:

Practical/Pastoral Theology

Pastoral Care of the Family

This course presents specific topics that are important for effective and compassionate pastoral care of families today. We will examine challenging realities that may shape and/or disturb families and lead members to seek pastoral care, such as domestic violence, substance abuse, imprisonment of a family member, grief and loss, and family caregiver stress. We will consider the specific needs of families affected by injustices and harsh difficulties such as poverty and immigrant/refugee status. We will consider the specific roles and strategies of the pastoral caregiver and the faith community in helping families to negotiate challenges and create stability and well-being.

School:

Boston College School of Theology & Ministry

BTI Category:

Practical/Pastoral Theology

Ministry in a Diverse Church

Catholicism in the United States is presently shaped by rich cultural traditions that demand creative approaches to ministry in the midst of diversity. Nearly 45% of all Catholics in the country are Hispanic, 40% Euro-American, 4% Asian-American, 3.7% African-American, among others. Students in this course explore key questions and discuss ministerial strategies that will help them develop cultural competencies for effective ministry today. The course builds on the U.S. Latino/a Catholic experience as a case study while addressing core issues in ministry that affect everyone in the Church. Ecumenical and international perspectives are welcomed into this conversation.

School:

Boston College School of Theology & Ministry

BTI Category:

Practical/Pastoral Theology

Lifespan Pastoral Care: The Early Years

This foundational course for caregivers—pastoral counselors, chaplains, lay & ordained ministers, and healthcare professionals—will survey contemporary crisis and normal developmental issues in neonatal, perinatal, early & middle childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood. Employing didactive, dialogic, and experiential learning modalities, this course will offer weekly opportunities for laboratory engagement with issues, traumas, and critical challenges that caregivers encounter. Drawing upon current research and clinical data in fetal, pediatric, adolescent, and young adult development, psychology, neuroscience, genetics, biomedical ethics, pastoral theology and spirituality, this course will seek to identify, develop, and/or enhance the basic assessment, helping, and referral skills needed by pastoral caregivers. Students will learn best practices and become capable to provide astute, compassionate, and supportive spiritual care and counsel to individuals, their significant others, and families in need

School:

Boston College School of Theology & Ministry

BTI Category:

Practical/Pastoral Theology

Introduction to the Practice of Spiritual Direction

This practicum is a two-semester, six-credit course in which students direct 2-3 persons, receive supervision, and attend a three-hour seminar every week. One full year of graduate level theological study before beginning the practicum, regular prayer/spiritual practices, attend one silent directed retreat prior to the practicum, receive spiritual direction during the year of study prior to the practicum, previous ministerial experience, one letter of recommendation, permission of their academic advisor, one paragraph stating reason for applying to the practicum, interview with one of the Instructors as part of the selection process. Must apply by August 1.

School:

Boston College School of Theology & Ministry

BTI Category:

Practical/Pastoral Theology

Screening Theology: Theology in and through Film

Highlighting the possibility and potential of a theology of culture, this course explores the ways in which recent Hollywood movies can be used as resources to think about and even to rethink the meaning of key theological concepts such as ideas of God, human nature, sin, Christ/human redemption, and eschatological hope. Through brief lecture presentations, reading materials, the viewing of movies, and class discussions, students will be encouraged to consider how an appreciative and critical engagement with popular culture can allow for a relevant and contemporary practical theology.

School:

Boston College School of Theology & Ministry

BTI Category:

Practical/Pastoral Theology

Seminar in Practical Theology

An exploration of Practical Theology, its history, methodological commitments, and intent. Practical theology is theology at the service of life. It is theology that takes seriously cultural, social, and political contexts, historical times, places and peoples, as it utilizes the resources of Scripture, tradition and experience. In this course, we will examine Practical Theology’s claims for the theory/praxis nexus, interculturality, interdisciplinarity, the noetic content in religious practices, and the significance of bodiliness and context.

School:

Boston College School of Theology & Ministry

BTI Category:

Practical/Pastoral Theology

Public Theology, Politics, and Faith in the United States

This class is an introduction to the history of the academic field and practice of public theology as it emerged at the intersections of liberation and political theology with Christian social ethics, especially in the context of the United States. In our time together we will consider several models and definitions of public theology, reflect on ways to engage faith in public, and examine the role and responsibility of faith leaders and scholars to communicate with a public beyond a congregation. The course will explore some basic legal and political concepts to frame the semester, however it will primarily be focused on theological and philosophical themes. We will explore the United States as a religiously and culturally pluralistic context, considering the challenges and opportunities that emerge as a result of this. Particular attention will be given to engagement with the concept of Christian Nationalism and the ways in which Christianity has sometimes been used as a frame in an attempt to legitimate violence or oppression.

School:

Boston College School of Theology & Ministry

BTI Category:

Practical/Pastoral Theology

Theological Foundations in Practical Perspective

Taught from a pastoral perspective, this course offers an overview of contemporary Christian theology, introducing basic theological themes reflected in Co-Workers e.g. the cultural context in which we do theology, God, being human, Jesus, reign of God, Church. It considers theological methods and investigates the sources that contribute constructions of theological positions.

School:

Boston College School of Theology & Ministry

BTI Category:

Practical/Pastoral Theology

Trauma Healing and Prevention

Traumatization occurs at the interrelated social, psychic, and physiological boundaries of life and death. This course offers an introduction to trauma healing and prevention for contexts of pastoral and spiritual care. It surveys approaches to trauma developed in peacebuilding, public health, and psychology, as well as the emerging subfield of trauma theology. The final research paper is a vocational case study.

School:

Boston College School of Theology & Ministry

BTI Category:

Practical/Pastoral Theology

Impasse and Spiritual Transformation

This course gathers multi-disciplinary resources for spiritual responses to intractable conflicts. It develops a working social theory definition of identity and traces dynamics of transformation in The Dark Night by John of the Cross. Next, it examines Constance Fitzgerald’s concept of impasse and its implications for socio-political life. Finally, it reflects on wisdom, hope, and imagination in light of the foregoing challenges.

School:

Boston University School of Theology

BTI Category:

Practical/Pastoral Theology

Spiritual Autobiographies

In the course, students will explore classic and contemporary spiritual autobiographies. These autobiographies reveal the diverse paths of religious seekers, the crises and epiphanies that became focal points of meaning and revelation. Students will learn about the practices of faith that sustained and challenged religious people from Augustine to Teresa of Avila to Tolstoy. Through close, empathetic, and critical examination of the texts, students will reflect on their own spiritual journeys and identities. They also will engage first-hand in the crafting of spiritual autobiography, and students will have the opportunity to work intensively in small groups throughout the writing and sharing process. Throughout the course, students will explore potential uses of spiritual autobiography as pathways of discernment and growth in congregational and retreat settings, small faith groups, spiritual formation and companionship. 

School:

Boston University School of Theology

BTI Category:

Practical/Pastoral Theology

Faith and Film

This course uses the medium of film as an avenue for reflection upon the meaning and truth of the central doctrines of the Christian church as expressed in the historic Apostle's Creed. The course uses a broad cross-section of film genres to open up new and creative windows for understanding and communicating the Christian faith in contemporary culture and also assists the student in thinking critically about film from a Christian theological perspective. 

School:

Boston University School of Theology

BTI Category:

Practical/Pastoral Theology

Christian Mission

Exploration of biblical, historical, theological, political, and cultural perspectives on the world mission of the church. This course is a requirement for United Methodist MDiv students pursuing ordination in the United Methodist Church. 

School:

Boston University School of Theology

BTI Category:

Practical/Pastoral Theology

Spiritual Care

[This course is full. Please contact sthregfa@bu.edu to be added to the waitlist.] This course introduces a method of spiritual care as practical theology. Students will be asked to engage the experiences of loss, violence, doubt, and despair reflected in spiritual care conversations. They will be invited to use theological, philosophical, psychological, and cultural studies to reflect upon these issues, and develop theologically and/or spiritually based strategies of care and justice.

School:

Boston University School of Theology

BTI Category:

Practical/Pastoral Theology

Psychodynamics of Marriage and Family

[This course is full. Please contact sthregfa@bu.edu to be added to the waitlist.] This is an introductory course that includes a comprehensive overview of the field of family systems and family therapy. This course will serve as an introduction to the theory and techniques of couples and family therapy. An attempt will be made to integrate theory and practice through assignments, class activities, and personal and professional self-reflection. Students will have the opportunity to reflect upon how they might actually use course content professionally in their respective disciplines.

School:

Boston University School of Theology

BTI Category:

Practical/Pastoral Theology

Reading Lives: Story, (Auto)biography, and Identity (new course)

The course offers an in-depth study of narrative theories from a broad range of fields encompassing disciplines in the humanities and social sciences. Students will be introduced to integrative concepts from narrative psychology, narrative therapy, literary studies, narrative (virtue) ethics, narrative gerontology, and narrative medicine to understand the importance of human stories, beliefs, values, and meanings. For the past thirty years, pastoral theologians and spiritual caregivers have engaged narrative theories to understand human identity and experience by listening to and examining stories of individuals and communities. More recently in narrative approaches to spiritual care, scholars and practitioners in religion engage the insights of critical theory to deconstruct harmful narratives and find ways to create more life-giving narratives, especially for individuals and communities from historically marginalized contexts. By exploring the history, theories, and methods of narrative spiritual care, students will be able to think deeply and broadly about its ramifications in ministry and life.

School:

Boston University School of Theology

BTI Category:

Practical/Pastoral Theology

Pastoral Psychology of Healing

Every person, in her or his personal relationships and professional activities, is guided by a complex, often tacit, theory of healing, comprised of judgments about illness/suffering (what's wrong?); health/well-being (what's possible? what's ideal?); the trajectory from one to the other (how do we get there?); and factors that enhance as well as inhibit movement along that trajectory (what should we do?). Examining and comparing a range of theories of healing--in psychology, medicine, Christian traditions, world religions, and non-Western cultures--equips us critically to reflect upon, amend, if not reconstruct our respective theories of healing.

School:

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary-Boston

BTI Category:

Practical/Pastoral Theology

Church & Community: Intro to Public Min.

This course introduces students to important strategies for social ministry, such as, congregation-based community organizing, community development, and others, designed to facilitate a holistic social ministry and prophetic role in the community and exploring as avenues towards gospel faith­fulness and shalom in the city. The biblical/theological bases for social responsibility are explored.

School:

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary-Hamilton

BTI Category:

Practical/Pastoral Theology

Spiritual Formation for Ministry

The foundational course in the Division of Practical Theology and an introduction to theological seminary. A beginning working knowledge of spiritual formation leading to a lifetime of continuing education. Spiritual exercise and small group practice for personal application and for leadership in the church.

School:

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary-Hamilton

BTI Category:

Practical/Pastoral Theology

Communication for Ministry and Career

Effective communication in professional and ministry settings—public speaking, seminars, small groups, meetings, blogging, and podcasting. Application of communication theory to praxis.

School:

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary-Hamilton

BTI Category:

Practical/Pastoral Theology

Managing Conflict in Life and the Church

This course focuses on the dynamics of interpersonal conflict management, with principles broadened to the larger context of the church. Reflection on a biblical survey of conflict scenarios will be provided as well as discussion of a variety of effective (biblical) and ineffective (unbiblical) conflict styles. An interdisciplinary approach will include an introduction to systems theory, identifying various patterns of relating and formulating strategies for conflict management and/or resolution. Students will craft their own strategies for creating a culture of peace in their contexts, acquiring skills in conflict prevention and management, with the goal of interpersonal and group reconciliation.

School:

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary-Hamilton

BTI Category:

Practical/Pastoral Theology

Pastoral Ministry

Examines the roles and functions of pastoral work as designated in Scripture and various traditions. Ministerial identity and foundational pastoral tasks are discussed. Emphasizes practical aspects of pastoral ministry.

School:

Hartford International

BTI Category:

Practical/Pastoral Theology

Contemplative Prayer Practices

This course introduces students to a range of practices of contemplative prayer, centering in a broadly ecological context: both Earth itself as our shared creaturely home and the particular places where students live. Students will engage in experiential elements that are adaptable to the students’ own tradition and/or context, including traditional forms like centering/mindfulness, Ignatian Examen, and lectio divina as well as social justice/feminist, land-based, shadow- and dream-based practices. Students will have the opportunity to research and lead the class in a prayer practice of their own tradition, context, or creative innovation as well.

School:

Hartford International

BTI Category:

Practical/Pastoral Theology

Contemplative Prayer Practices

This course introduces students to a range of practices of contemplative prayer, centering in a broadly ecological context: both Earth itself as our shared creaturely home and the particular places where students live. Students will engage in experiential elements that are adaptable to the students’ own tradition and/or context, including traditional forms like centering/mindfulness, Ignatian Examen, and lectio divina as well as social justice/feminist, land-based, shadow- and dream-based practices. Students will have the opportunity to research and lead the class in a prayer practice of their own tradition, context, or creative innovation as well.

School:

Hartford International

BTI Category:

Practical/Pastoral Theology

Essential Skills in Pastoral Counseling and Ministry

This course will offer pastors, lay ministers and caregivers an opportunity to learn basic counseling skills for use in pastoral settings. Students will develop skills in assessment, honoring ethical concerns and addressing the most common diagnoses such as depression and anxiety. Attention will be given to clarifying the differences between pastoral care and pastoral counseling. Issues of referral to professional mental health resources and community agencies also will be addressed.

School:

Hartford International

BTI Category:

Practical/Pastoral Theology

Essential Skills in Pastoral Counseling and Ministry

This course will offer pastors, lay ministers and caregivers an opportunity to learn basic counseling skills for use in pastoral settings. Students will develop skills in assessment, honoring ethical concerns and addressing the most common diagnoses such as depression and anxiety. Attention will be given to clarifying the differences between pastoral care and pastoral counseling. Issues of referral to professional mental health resources and community agencies also will be addressed.

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

BTI Category:

Practical/Pastoral Theology

Theology of Pastoral Care I

As one part of your journey here at Holy Cross, this course, the Theology of Pastoral Care I, is intended to help you integrate and apply the knowledge you have acquired in other classes into your own life and in pastoral care situations. As a Field Education Course for hospital ministry, you will be placed in a local hospital for the semester. Specifically, we will explore hospital ministry as one aspect of pastoral care, as we develop a theology of pastoral care. The intent of this class is not to provide you with the right answers for pastoral situations. Rather, this course is designed, with the readings, class discussions, theological reflection groups, and assignments to develop your knowledge and skills related to hospital ministry as well as your personal identity as an Orthodox Christian seminarian and future minister or priest. Course is cross-listed as FLED 6101.

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

BTI Category:

Practical/Pastoral Theology

Theology of Pastoral Care I Field E

Field Education

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

BTI Category:

Practical/Pastoral Theology

Marriage and Family

The course will examine the Orthodox theological understanding of marriage and family. It will include a focus on the characteristics of both healthy and unhealthy relationships. Issues which negatively affect marital and family relationships, such as addictions, as well as psychological, verbal, physical, and sexual abuse, will be examined. Attention will also be given to clergy marriages and the issue of clerical "burnout." The role of the pastoral caregiver in ministering to marriages and families will be emphasized.

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

BTI Category:

Practical/Pastoral Theology

Pastoral Care & Mental Health

Issues of mental illness and health continue to challenge pastors and ministers as they seek to guide their parishes and communities. Recent events related to the pandemic have increased the rates of mental illness in our communities, heightened the need for pastors to possess a basic level of competency related to understanding mental health and illness. Mental illness and health, how we define it, how we identify it, and how we address it calls into question how we understand God, human nature, the person, free will/personal agency, and the relationship that these issues, theologically, have with the broad field of mental health, commonly referred to as psychology. This class will explore these issues as they apply to the most prevalent issues of mental health that a pastor/priest/minister will encounter in the parish. Special emphasis will be placed on the relationship between theology and psychology and the role of the pastor/priest/minister in ministering to people struggling with issues of mental health in the parish.

School:

Hebrew College

BTI Category:

Practical/Pastoral Theology

Human Development

This course explores the relationship between human development and a lifelong trajectory of Jewish growth and learning. By exploring various developmental theories, including cognitive, psychosocial, and moral development, students will gain a deeper understanding of the developmental needs of, challenges facing, and opportunities for learners from early childhood through adulthood. The course will also delve into the realm of social and emotional learning and its place in Jewish education. Over the course of the semester students will both analyze and design Jewish educational programs that address learners’ developmental needs as well as reflect upon their own developmental trajectory as Jewish educators.