Purpose of Teaching and Studying Counseling
The main purpose of teaching Counseling to M.Div.
students at MECS is not to make counselors out of them, but to equip future pastors and
lay people with necessary tools and skills which will enable them to be more effective
ministers; to help students become aware of some of their personal issues in the past,
present, and future that may greatly impact their individual personalities and thus
facilitate or hinder the ministry; to help students give meaning to marital, family, and
care giving life. In short, to help students better understand themselves and others.
As students progress in studying "Pastoral Care and
Counseling" they will become increasingly aware of personal issues that may interfere
with and hinder their future ministry and will want to deal with those. There may be a
need for counseling for those students who wish to work through their personal issues in
the process of becoming better ministers. It may take the form of individual or group
counseling.
Counseling Courses proposed for
teaching at Moscow Evangelical Christian Seminary
(Other courses will be added at a later stage, as soon as materials and curriculum
for
Distance Education are ready)
A survey of classical and contemporary theories of counseling. A consideration of the
nature and dynamics of human personality and personality development as related to
pastoral care and counseling.
Focus on the value of persons and their relationships utilizing major therapeutic
models and applying biblical principals to pastoral care and counseling with the result
that students will be able to identify basic human problems and respond appropriately
through pastoral care and counseling.
Students will become familiar with systems theory. With emphasis on theological and
biblical foundations for marriage and family students will learn basic family counseling
skills to be able to impact marriages and families from a systemic perspective.
(taken preferably after MF, PCC, PTh)
Focus on personal nurture and development of a new growing Christian and leadership
serving to turn young believers into mature and fruitful Christians using counseling and
teaching skills. Nurturing children and bringing them to mature Christian faith as a task
and obligation of the family. A survey of concepts and models employed in small group
dynamic; introduction to the process of leading small groups.
Theological and practical dimensions of the spiritual life. Students are encouraged to
enrich their own spiritual life and are given guidelines for engaging in a ministry of
spiritual formation in the local church. Human development, conscience formation and
theological concerns related to original sin, sinfulness, salvation, communication of
Christian values by the minister from one generation to the next.
Equips ministers to communicate effectively and to serve as agents of leadership,
change, and mission in the parish, or other specific vocational setting. Acquiring basic
decision making and planning skills necessary for a leader.
An introductory study of the psychological phenomena of religion in both individuals
and groups. Attention is given to the psychological sources of religion, problems of faith
and doubt, worship, mysticism, education, and other basic aspects of the religious life.
(Conflict Resolution and self-esteem training)
Conflict resolution can be achieved cooperatively through a combination of
problem-solving skills, assertiveness, good listening skills, and mutual respect
until different viewpoints are understood. This is followed by a course of action that satisfies
the parties involved. "Conflict Resolution" course will be a practical one for
learning basic skills mentioned above, anger management, self-esteem training, and more
effective acting in potentially explosive situations. Students will be involved in group
practice (group therapy).
The learning of pastoral care through participation in practical work at participating
hospitals, nursing homes, orphanages. Includes lectures, readings, case presentation,
discussions and evaluation of practical experience.
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Last revised: January 03, 2000
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