Christian Care 1 (DP1008L)

Undergraduate, 18.0 points

Content

This unit offers students an introduction to Christian pastoral care from the perspective of the lay and/or volunteer pastoral carer, covering the theological dimensions integrated with practical pastoral care. One of more models of basic pastoral care, will be considered in depth.

Unit code: DP1008L

Unit status: Approved (Major revision)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 1

Unit discipline: Pastoral Theology and Ministry Studies

Delivery Mode: Online

Proposing College: Australian Lutheran College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Articulate an informed understanding of pastoral care

2.

Explore and develop aspects and understandings of pastoral care based on personal experience and reflection, utilising case-study and/or journaling methodologies

3.

Apply basic skills in pastoral care, using an appropriate framework

Pedagogy

This unit is underpinned by teaching practices and strategies (e.g. engagement with online learning materials, which may include audio/video, tasks, forums, and asynchronous discussion with lecturer; discussion with the student’s local mentor) which encourage student engagement and participation in a variety of learning tasks and opportunities which foster deep learning.

Indicative Bibliography

  • Dames, Glenda A and Gordon E. Dames. "Pastoral Care and Counselling in Current Times: Relevance and Context of Care.” HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 81, no. 1 (2025): e1–e11. (Available electronically from the UD Library Hub)
  • Egan, Gerard. The skilled helper: a problem-management and opportunity-development approach to helping. 9th ed. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole, 2010.
  • Geldard, David. Basic personal counselling: a training manual for counsellors. 6th ed. Frenchs Forest, NSW: Pearson Education Australia, 2009.
  • Hanson, Bradley C. Finding grace in caregiving. Cascade Books, 2021. (Available as an ebook from the ALC Library)
  • Haugk, Kenneth. Christian caregiving: a way of life. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg, 1984.
  • Helsel, Philip Browning. Pastoral care and counseling : an introduction: care for stories, systems, and selves. Paulist Press, 2019.
  • Lutheran Church of Australia. Commission on Worship. Rites and resources for pastoral care. Edited by David A. Schubert. Adelaide, SA: Openbook, 1998.
  • Marshall, Joretta L., and Christie Cozad Neuger. Lay Pastoral Care : A Narrative Approach. Fortress Press, 2022. (Available as an ebook from the UD Library hub)
  • Nelson-Jones, Richard. Basic counselling skills: a helper’s manual. 3rd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2011.
  • Patton, John. Pastoral care: an essential guide. Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 2005.
  • Sims, Sally. Together through the storm: a practical guide to Christian care. Sydney: Matthias Media, 2016.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Report

Report on theological basis of pastoral care

 700 20.0
Portfolio

Reflections based on case studies using an appropriate model of pastoral care as the basis for the reflection

 3300 80.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 29 Aug, 2025

Unit record last updated: 2025-08-29 10:26:41 +1000