The Church Insurance Company, the carrier for most Episcopal churches and clergy, has suggested "pastoral counseling" by parish clergy be limited to three "sessions." This request is being supported by most most diocesan bishops and chancelors.
These guideleines have left many clergy with more questions than guidance. Counseling has traditionally been part of the pastoral function. What happens to pastoral care when people cannot ask their priest for counsel about life issues? How does one separate "counseling" from "pastoring." What about pre-marriage counseling? What about pastoral conversation during regular home communions to the sick and dying? What about spiritual direction? What about just normal pastoral care that doesn’t fit into "sessions?"
Can and should parish clergy counsel at all? Given the environment of suspicion and litigation, is it safe?
This day-long workshop is designed to clarify these issues. At the conclusion, participants should be able to ----understand the Church Insurance Company’s guideline ----articulate the difference between a pastoral care issue and a counseling issue ----formulate a pastoral "diagnosis"(think like a pastor again) ----design a pastoral care plan ----identify at what point an acceptable resolution might be reached with a parishioner ----keep effective and confidential records of pastoral care ---- know when and to whom to refer.
The next workshop will be January 28, 2000 in Chattanooga, TN. The cost is $99, includes materials.
2. Is the Homosexual My
Neighbor?
Yes, you love all that exists, you hold nothing of what you have made in abhorrence, for had you hated anything, you would not have formed it. And how, had you not willed it, could a thing persist, how be conserved if not called forth by you? You spare all things because all things are yours, Lord, lover of life, you whose imperishable spirit is in us all. -Wisdom 11:24-12:1
You shall love your neighbor as yourself. -Jesus of Nazareth
When: Saturday mornings: Oct 2, Nov 6, Dec 4
Format: Small Seminar
Where: Clinical Pastoral Services
Cost: $159, includes basic text and materials
This seminar will review current, biblical and theological studies relating to the full acceptance and inclusion of gay and lesbian persons in Christian life and community.
While there will be some didactic presentation, this will be a true guided seminar. Participants are warned there will be a substantial amount of reading involved in preparation for the individual seminar sessions.
This material has proven helpful for
Upon conclusion of the seminar, participants should
3. Family Systems and Faith
Who is my mother? Who are my brothers? -Jesus of Nazareth
Why is it I open my mouth and my mother comes out? -Client
If you can't get rid of the family skeleton, you might as well make it dance. -George Bernard Shaw
When: Saturday mornings: Feb 5, Mar 4, April 1
Format: Small Seminar and Didactic
Where: Clinical Pastoral Services
Cost: $149, includes basic text and materials
For better or worse, just about everything we know and practice about relationships, marriage, child-rearing, loving and being loved, we learn in our family of origin (the family we were born and grew up in). One of the most important adult tasks is to clearly identify-and then separate from-the dynamics of our early family environment. Otherwise, we frequently merely repeat what we learned, or react against it.
How can we go about differentiating from the family crucible and becoming the person God intends for us?
People of all "ages and stages" have enjoyed this material. It has also been successfully used as an adjunct to pre-marital counseling.
Participants will
Receive a brochure with registration information on all of these offereings by contacting
Clinical Pastoral Services, 744 McCallie Avenue - Suite 516, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37403
Tel/fax (423) 267-2331
or leaving your address via