PAS 702 – Pastoral Care & Counseling

Description

PAS 702 – Pastoral Care & Counseling

PAS 702 – Pastoral Care & Counseling, a 3 credit hour course of studies in the Masters programs of Reformation International Theological Seminary.

Course Description: 3 credit hours

This course is a study of biblical principles and patterns for the pastoral care of the congregation, with special attention to the official visiting of individuals and families, and to counseling in times of crisis. From this study the student should have a thorough understanding of biblical principles for pastoral work. In addition the student should gain a knowledge that is fundamental to organizing a pastoral ministry, including methods of pastoral counseling.

Required Materials for the Course

PAS 702 – Course Payment – Pastoral Care & Counseling (3 credit hours)

This covers the tuition payment for this 3 credit course.

LECTURES: Pastoral Care & Counseling Lectures (DOWNLOADABLE audio MP3 lectures (21), PDF transcripts, PDF Outline & PDF versions of required readings:  Reformed Pastor by Richard Baxter; Taking Heed of the Flock by P.Y. DeJong)

These lectures were given in a classroom seminary setting in the 1990s by Dr. Robert Grossmann. They include many student questions and practical applications.  The lectures are fully transcribed within an outline format.  They also include the professor’s outline of his class notes handed out to the students.  As these are available in pdf files, the student can print them if needed. Most students have found the transcripts and especially the outlines invaluable as they cut down substantially on the necessity of most note-taking.

TEXTBOOK: Shepherding God’s Flock by Jay E. Adams (Paperback)

Required Reading. This is a textbook on Pastoral Ministry, Counseling and Leadership. Jay Adams is well-known for his practical and thorough approach to the many issues of Christian counseling. That same practicality and thoroughness is found in this unparalleled handbook on pastoral ministry. Not only does it offer pastors one of the best resources in print, but it also provides church elders with an orientation and practical guide to aspects of ministry for which they have responsibility. It is truly a shepherd’s handbook.

The book is divided into three parts. Pastoral Life deals with the pastor, his calling, and the general care he provides to the flock. Pastoral Counseling provides an overview of the task and a general approach for pastoral counselors. Pastoral Leadership offers a perspective on the ways the pastor can lead the church in its many tasks and responsibilities.

TEXTBOOK: Preaching with Purpose by Jay Adams

This book is required reading along with the lectures. See book details below.

TEXTBOOK: The Reformed Pastor by Richard Baxter

Required reading. It may be purchased separately as a paperback but is also provided in PDF at no cost along with the lectures.

Richard Baxter (1615-1691) was vicar of Kidderminster from 1647 to 1661. In an introduction to this reprint, Dr. J.I. Packer describes him as “the most outstanding pastor, evangelist and writer on practical and devotional themes that Puritanism produced.” His ministry transformed the people of Kidderminster from “an ignorant rude and revelling people” to “a godly worshipping community.” These pages, first prepared for a Worcestershire association of ministers in 1656, deal with the means by which such changes are ever to be accomplished.  In his fervent plea for the discharge of the spiritual obligations of the ministry, Baxter, in the words of his contemporary, Thomas Manton, “came nearer the apostolic writings than any man in the age.”  A century later, Philip Doddridge wrote, “The Reformed Pastor is a most extraordinary book. . . many good men are but shadows of what (by the blessing of God) they might be, if the maxims and measures laid down in that incomparable Treatise were strenuously pursued.”  Today, Baxter’s principles, drawn from Scripture, and re-applied in terms of modern circumstances, will provide both ministers and other Christians with challenge, direction and help.

TEXTBOOK: Taking Heed to the Flock by P. Y. DeJong

This book is required reading along with the lectures. It is available at no additional cost in PDF only to students of Reformation International Theological Seminary but may also be purchased in paperback.

RECOMMENDED BOOKS FOR REVIEW WITH THIS COURSE:

These books are not required books, but are strongly recommended both for this course and every pastor’s library.

Competent to Counsel  by Jay Adams.

What About Nouthetic Counseling by Jay Adams.

Solving Marriage Problems by Jay Adams.

Christian Living in the Home by Jay Adams.

Pastoral Work by Andrew W. Blackwood.

You will receive an email from us with a link that will allow you to download course lectures, PDFs, etc., after you complete your order.