Spiritual Formation in Pastoral Counseling – PACO 509

Course Description

This course introduces students to the essential elements of a biblically responsible, research informed, holistic approach to his/her spiritual formation. The goals, means, and challenges faced in the process of transformation, especially within pastoral counseling, will comprise the major issues covered in class.

Rationale

In order to establish a framework for spiritual formation in pastoral counseling, the student must be able to describe and defend a research-based definition of spiritual formation. This definition lays the foundation for the discovery and development of life-changing wisdom strategies for the student’s personal and professional growth and development.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings, assessments, web-engagements, and lecture presentations/notes

It would be wise to back up course work on an external source. If the student's computer crashes, it is next to impossible to rebuild lost files. Unless otherwise stated, all assignments must be submitted through corresponding assignment links. The student must not submit assignments through email unless requested by Instructor. The student should see the Course Schedule for more details.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussion

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will introduce himself/herself to others in the course by posting a narrated picture containing information about where the student's from, what his or her degree is, etc. The student is required to build a clear,
informative, and appealing video introduction in response to all of the prompts.

Discussions (6)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will narrate movement through a process for growing in favor with God and others. This is accomplished via Discussions which require the student to noticeably/meaningfully employ insights and skills gleaned from each of the assigned readings, assessments, lectures, web resources, and as applicable, the Scriptures.

Due to the nature of these connected, collaborative, cumulative research-based and fully-involved conversations, these Discussions will have a “paper or presentation-like feel” (i.e. more is expected than in typical Discussions). Required texts, assigned readings, assessments, and lectures-to-date are to be noticeably and consistently used to ground assertions. In response to prompts from each Discussion, the student must synthesize pertinent material and write a substantive research-based thread and reply.

Pertinent insights from readings-to-date should be synthesized and moved forward into subsequent learning activities. Each thread must be at least 450 words and noticeably employ at least 1 pertinent insight from each required source/readings-to-date as well as assessments and presentations (see Course Schedule). In the assigned Module: Week, the student writes 1 substantive research-based reply to a specific point of reference within a classmate's thread. Each reply must noticeably/meaningfully employ at least 1 pertinent insight from course related knowledge and be at least 150 words.

All posts must be written with clarity and conciseness, without spelling, grammar, word choice errors, and adhere to Discussion Guidelines and rubric expectations. School of Behavioral Sciences students must follow current APA standards and School of Divinity students must follow current Turabian standards. NOTE: the Final Discussion has a slightly different rubric. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E, F)

Self-Report Assignments (2)

The student will complete two different Self-Report Assignments, in which the student will submit written confirmation that he or she met the requirements and completed the two assignments.

Subject Matter Conversation Assignments (2)

Subject Matter Conversations (SMC) are meaningfully developed via the Question & Answer Center and scheduled over Microsoft Teams meetings. For example, as part of the course's connected, collaborative, cumulative learning process, the initial SMC will focus on getting acquainted and acclimated. The concluding SMC evaluates the student's participation during the intensive and will help him/her to successfully navigate the remaining weeks of the course. Each SMC is assessed via a substantive response to one of the presented questions. (CLO: A, D, F)

Practical Book Review Assignments (2)

The student will write 2 book reviews. The first Practical Book Review will cover the Ortberg text and the second one will cover the Becker text. The body of each review will be at least 4 pages and must follow either current APA or Turabian standards. Correct grammar and correct spelling are required. (CLO: A, D, E, F)

Quiz: Self-Report: Question and Answer Center Subscription

The student will take a quiz confirming his or her subscription to the Discussion: Question and Answer Center. The quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contains 1 true/false question, and have no time limit.