View Specification DocumentPastoral Practice in Church Leadership TRS2029E
- Academic Session: 2026-27
- School: School of Critical Studies
- Credits: 20
- Level: Level 2 (SCQF level 8)
- Typically Offered: Runs Throughout Semesters 1 and 2
- Available to Visiting Students: No
- Taught Wholly by Distance Learning: Yes
- Collaborative Online International Learning: No
- Curriculum For Life: No
Short Description
This 20 credit short course will equip those in, or expecting to be in, positions of church leadership to understand and evaluate some of the pastoral needs and dynamics within churches and the interventions that can be made. The course will be based on a basic theological understanding of the human person and how that underpins all interactions and responses within church.
Pastoral work will be explored relationally, including such topics as power dynamics in ministry, self-care, conflict, rites of passage, suffering, loss and trauma. It is hoped that the course will build the resilience of leaders and a better understanding of people and groups.
Timetable
10 x 2 hour seminars online plus 2 x 1 hour tutorials plus 35 hours completed on placement.
Teaching will be in Semester 1 and the placement and reflection on placement will be completed during Semester 2.
Requirements of Entry
40 credits or equivalent at Level 1 or at the discretion of the Head of TRS
Excluded Courses
None
Co-requisites
None
Assessment
Verbatim (a scripted record of a pastoral conversation) and theological reflection 50% (2000 words)
Report on placement experience 50% (PVG documentation required) (2000 words)
Course Aims
■ To introduce students to a wide understanding of human flourishing and some basic psychological theories about human behaviour.
■ To enable students to apply different models of pastoral care, drawing upon some theological, spiritual and other resources.
■ To engage with some important issues in pastoral practice, including power relationships, confidentiality, transference, conflict, suffering and trauma, and boundaries.
■ To encourage students to reflect critically on their own experience and practice of pastoral care.
Intended Learning Outcomes of Course
By the end of this course students will be able to:
■ Explain human being and human relationships by using ideas from a variety of perspectives: theological, sociological, psychological.
■ Reflect on their experience of pastoral care and the skills required by those who provide pastoral care.
■ Describe how the placement has enhanced their skills in pastoral intervention.
■ Draw on theological and other resources to describe and analyse the issues raised by pastoral care in the context of Christian ministry and mission.
■ Reflect critically and theologically on their own pastoral practice and development.