Catalogue 2008 Book - Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary

explores healing as a living tradition in Christianity. Participants identify, analyze, and critique
contemporary models of healthcare ministries in congregations. In addition, participants
examine liturgies of healing and wholeness and construct their own theological understandings
of human wholeness and suffering as a framework for refl ecting on the role and forms of
healing and caring in the church’s ministry.
CN./EM.847 SPIRITUAL FORMATION IN THE PARISH
This course focuses on approaches to corporate spiritual formation. Analysis of and refl ection
on contemporary society as well as the local church prepare church leaders to move others
toward a balanced life of learning, work, and prayer. Students create a plan for spiritual
formation in a particular parish setting.
CN.849 FAMILY SYSTEMS THEORY AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR PASTORAL
LEADERSHIP
This course introduces basic concepts of family systems theory and its implications for pastoral
ministry. Particular attention is given to how systems theory enhances understanding of
relationships that constitute congregational life, thereby equipping pastors for more effective
leadership. Students explore their own families of origin in order to clarify how their family
histories infl uence how they function as ecclesial leaders.
CN.851 PASTORAL CARE AND SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE
Drawing on Christian traditions of spiritual guidance, students examine the task of pastoral
care when the foci of the care receiver’s concerns are relationship with God, vocation, and a
life of worship, prayer, and service.
CN.853 CHRISTIAN PRACTICES: THEORY AND PRACTICE
This course explores Christian practices as activities that engage our participation in God’s
work in the world. Attention is given to practices such as hospitality, forgiveness, peace-making,
living in community and keeping the Sabbath, including their internal and external benefi ts
to people of faith. The aim of this course is for students to grasp the importance of Christian
practices for congregations and to gain knowledge of how to foster a culture of practices.
CN./EM.867 SPIRITUALITY AND MINISTRY
This course explores how specifi c spiritual practices help to revitalize both pastors and
congregations in urban as well as rural and small town churches. Students consider how
spiritual resources may be cultivated to support the work of leadership. Considerable attention
will be given to examining how practices such as prayer, Bible study and personal devotions
equip pastors to nurture congregational life and ministry.
CN.869 THEOLOGY OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
This course examines several understandings of the Christian spiritual life, drawn from a
range of traditions and time periods. The aims of the course are: 1) to become familiar with
key works of Christian spirituality; 2) to discover ways in which these works address the
contemporary situation of the church; 3) to provide pastors with the means of strengthening
their own spiritual lives and the spiritual lives of those to whom they minister.
CN.871 CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS IN CHRISTIAN EDUCATION AND FORMATION
In this course, we explore the church’s threefold identity as a school of discipleship, a
communion of saints, and as a witness of Christ. Students are introduced to theories and
practices that invite and support this threefold life. These theories and practices of education
and formation engage congregations as learning communities that take seriously learners and
contexts as sources of meaning.
CN.873 MINISTRY AND BEREAVEMENT
This course considers ministry involving experiences of loss. Drawing on theological,
psychological, and sociocultural perspectives on loss and bereavement, it offers resources for
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DMIN - CHRISTIAN NURTURE