ACOM / Study / Units / P7101C Introduction to Pastoral Care

P7101C Introduction to Pastoral Care

This unit is an introduction to practical theology for ministry. It provides a grounding in the biblical and theological foundations of ministry and addresses a number of aspects of ministry which are common to practitioners.
Register Key Dates
Unit Overview

Qualification

Bachelor

Unit Availability

Trimester 3 2025

Study Mode

No Facilitation, Online Facilitation

Placement

30 hours of vocational placement

Tuition

Bachelor BTM Fee

Prerequisite

N/A

Corequisite

N/A

Notes

N/A

Schedule
Availability Facilitation Type Time Dates Facilitator
Trimester 3 2025 Online Facilitation 9am – 4pm
(AEST/AEDT)		 Thursday 11 September
Thursday 2 October
Thursday 23 October		 Kaye Schelbach

Unit Details

This course unit is an introduction to pastoral theology for a care ministry. It begins with an overview of the biblical and theological foundations of caring. Common aspects of ministry are considered along with perspectives from human sciences.

The pastoral love of the shepherd for his sheep and other biblical models of care such as the family of God are explored. We survey theological themes important to pastoral care and discuss the significance of suffering and trauma, being forgiven and forgiving.

The practical aspects of pastoral ministry are given attention through skills of listening and models of caring. Within the faith community, these are applied through the lens of “life together” in the “body of Christ”. A pattern of overlapping nets of care is outlined to draw together all the ways a church can deliver care, including through small groups, so that caring for one another can widen the delivery of care.

At the end of this unit students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a sound knowledge of key issues relating to the practice of pastoral care.
  2. Display a sound understanding of the role of the human sciences in pastoral theology and ministry.
  3. Analyse insights derived from biblical and theological foundations and their connection to the practice of ministry.
  4. Demonstrate the process of reflection in the practice of ministry.
  5. Develop and apply effective skills for pastoral ministry.

 

  1. Why do we minister? Why do we care?
  2. Healing, sustaining, guiding and reconciling
  3. More pastoral theology themes
  4. Major helping approaches: human science perspectives
  5. The theology and practice of peer counselling
  6. Suffering, weakness and trauma
  7. Theology and practice of life together in community
  8. Strategies for pastoral care ministry through a church
  9. Training, mentoring and spiritual direction of care ministry leaders
  10. Good caring, good ministry
  1. Online Forums (10%)
    Word Limit: 500 total
    Due: Week 3, 5, 7, 9, 10
  2. Case Notes (10%)
    Word Limit: 500
    Due: Week 3
  3. Major Essay (35%)
    Word Limit: 1750
    Due: Week 8
  4. Pastoral Care Journal (30%)
    Word Limit: 1500
    Due: Week 12
  5. Facilitation Assessment (15%)
    Word Limit: 750
    Due: Week 10
    OR
    Integrated Learning Portfolio (15%)
    Word Limit: 2350 total
    Due: Week 4 & 10
  • Doehring, Carrie. The Practice of Pastoral Care: A Postmodern Approach. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2015.

Unit Details

Key Dates

Student Stories

A lot of theology training focuses on helping you know what to do, formation helped me go deeper and learn about who I wanted to become. As someone who learns a lot by doing, the highly practical nature of the ACOM model helped me put theory into practice immediately. The online learning helped me do that in the context I’d grown up in.
Ben Dainton – Graduate Diploma of Arts

Student Stories

My studies at ACOM equipped me to be job-ready by providing the ability to complete my student ministry placement in local churches, allowing me to apply what I was learning directly to real-world situations. The practical elements of the coursework gave me the hands-on experience and confidence needed to step into ministry roles, fully prepared to make a meaningful impact.
Lachie Ashworth – Bachelor of Ministry

Student Stories

Admittedly, at first I was nervous about the prospect of Spiritual Formation and what might be involved. But after my first Spiritual Formation retreat, Spiritual Formation very quickly became one of my favourite subjects, and created some of my fondest memories throughout my years studying with ACOM. The relationships I built and the journey I went on with my formation companions, has left a profound impact on my faith, the shaping of who I am, how I lead and my continued involvement in ministry today. I couldn’t recommend Spiritual Formation highly enough as a valuable part of your studies.
Lachie Ashworth – Bachelor of Ministry

Student Stories

As a relatively young person in an employed ministry position, I have greatly benefited from my degree of Bachelor of Ministry and have observed my growth through undergoing studies. While studying and working full time in ministry, I have found that each unit, in some way or another, is relevant to my job whether that be learning to preach or growing my Biblical literacy skills. Through working full-time in ministry, I have found that the online content and structures of my studies allows me to be flexible in structuring my learning around my busy ministry schedule. Each week I am able to accommodate my studies to fit my needs based on my schedule demands.
Libby Hall – Bachelor of Ministry

Student Stories

ACOM's online study options have allowed me to study a theological degree without having to leave my current church setting. The experience of journeying with my formation group has been a huge part of my growth this year.
Simon Cauchi – Bachelor of Theology

Student Stories

Studying with ACOM provided me with a unique and incredible academic experience! ACOM worked with me to deliver a course that benefited and enriched my role in ministry, and that was of great benefit as it meant that I was actively able to apply the material that I had been studying. What stood out for me though while studying with ACOM was how seamlessly spiritual formation was integrated with academic learning. Instead of studying material and writing assessments that had little to do with the complexities of life in ministry, many of the units that I studied were tailored in such a way that I was engaging with God, my heart, and others which led to a deep transformation in my own character and relationship with God. I would highly recommend ACOM to anyone who desires more in their life with God!
Alec Van Bockel – Bachelor of Ministry

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