Higher Certificate in Pastoral Care

Purpose

This is an entry level qualification with the purpose of capacitating current and future pastoral carers within Christian organisations to exercise theologically and ethically sound pastoral care for the benefit of people within their organisations or broader communities. The qualification is primarily vocational. The qualification can serve as a standard to facilitate the formal recognition or appointment of pastoral carers.

Rationale

There is an increased demand for pastoral care will increase as many people in South African communities face the challenges of life with limited or no access to care. Poverty, HIV/Aids, demographic and cultural shifts all impact the type and quantity of care that is needed to develop and sustain healthy communities. The qualification addresses the acknowledged need within churches and other Christian organisations for training and equipping of pastoral carers to improve the quality of the delivery of pastoral care. This in turn will qualitatively and quantitatively impact the ministry of these organisations to their constituencies and communities.

Many people do not have access to informal or professional pastoral care or counselling in times of transition or crisis. Their family, church or community elders are most often the first people approached for guidance. This first line of pastoral care is often under-skilled and very seldom connected to a network through which they can escalate the level of care by referral. By developing the knowledge and skills of pastoral carers, many people's struggles will be resolved or the escalation thereof averted. Trained pastoral carers will be better informed in determining when to refer a person being cared for and to whom they should be referred. Through resolution or referral, people, families and communities will be healthier.

The development of pastoral carers within the context of the local congregation has often been casual and at the discretion and skill level of the local clergy. The lack of capacity of pastoral carers within Christian organisations is a limiting factor for the quantity and quality of pastoral care ministry undertaken by organisations. This directly impacts the wellbeing of people within those organisations and their wider communities. Therefore to train and equip pastoral carers to function alongside professional clergy, social workers and psychotherapists is for the benefit of individuals, Christian organisations and the greater communities in which they exist.

This qualification is aimed at people who are already involved in pastoral care or who are considering involvement in pastoral care within Christian organisations, many of whom will not be in a position to access full-time studies. It is worth noting that on average learners are significantly older than the norm for higher education in general and theological education in particular, and they bring a wealth of life experience to their studies.

It is envisaged that most learners will complete this qualification in order to fulfil their ministry as pastoral carers with greater competence and effectiveness. This qualification is offered at NQF Level 5 to allow pastoral carers with no prior formal theological education to engage a range of subject matter specific to their pastoral care ministry role at an introductory level, without having to first complete other theology studies. For clergy pursuing post-ordination training who have already graduated with a theology qualification, this qualification will offer a far greater focalisation on this specific area of ministry, albeit at an introductory level. Many post-ordination learners do not have the time or energy to commit to the demands of post-graduate studies.

For learners who do not intend to pursue and complete theological qualifications at higher levels, this may be the sum total of their theological studies. For learners who wish to pursue further theological studies, this qualification will provide access and an introduction to theological disciplines albeit with a ministry focus.

Many volunteer caregivers also hold secular employment, or participate in community organisations or structures. Consequently, the development of their pastoral care skills will have a secondary impact beyond their church involvement.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

This Recognition of Prior Learning will be utilised to allow access to this qualification. RPL will be applied for learners who do not meet the criteria for admission to grant access or credits towards the qualification.

Entry Requirements

Admission to this qualification is based on the minimum entry requirement for a Higher Certificate

• The National Senior Certificate.

Or

• Senior Certificate.
• National Certificate (Vocational).

The qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Level 5 totalling 120 Credits

• A person called by God, 12 Credits.
• Called to share good news, 12 Credits.
• Serving in and through the Church, 12 Credits.
• The world in which we serve, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Pastoral Care and Ethics, 12 Credits.
• Skills and Models for Pastoral Care and Counselling, 12 Credits.
• Applying Pastoral Care in the context of HIV and Aids, 12 Credits.
• Applying Pastoral Care in the context of change, 12 Credits.
• Applying Pastoral Care in the context of brokenness, 12 Credits.
• Applying Pastoral Care the context of families, 12 Credits.

1. Apply foundational biblical and Christian theological knowledge in a responsible manner pertaining to Christian pastoral care.
2. Apply foundational ethical knowledge and values pertaining to Christian pastoral care.
3. Apply foundational knowledge, skills and values of pastoral care.
4. Apply foundational knowledge, skills and values for counselling.
5. Demonstrate knowledge, values and self-awareness as a Christian pastoral care worker.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Key biblical themes and the importance of biblical interpretation are outlined.
• Basic exegesis and application of biblical texts are performed, demonstrating sensitivity to social diversity, divergent opinions and differing styles of expressing faith.
• Theological themes central to Christianity are outlined and applied in familiar contexts.
• A theological understanding of Christian pastoral care is outlined showing how it is relevant for today.
• Theological and biblical knowledge is applied within the practice of Christian pastoral care.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• The moral characteristics and the moral formation for Christian pastoral care workers are outlined.
• Models for moral and character formation are outlined and applied.
• Models of Christian ethical decision making are outlined and applied to case studies germane to Christian pastoral care.
• The relationship between pastoral care and organisational order and discipline within Christian organisations are outlined.
• The morally responsible use of power and authority is outlined.
• The ethical necessity and limitations of confidentiality is applied.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Christian principles of pastoral care are explained.
• Pastoral care models are applied.
• Pastoral care skills are applied.
• Pastoral care values of justice, beneficence, non-malfeasance and autonomy are outlined and applied.
• Pastoral care attitudes such as empathy and respect are outlined and applied.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Christian principles of counselling are explained.
• Counselling models are applied.
• Counselling skills such as listening, reflecting and questioning are applied.
• Counselling values of respect, justice, beneficence, non-malfeasance and autonomy are applied.
• Models of record keeping such as genograms are applied.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Biblical and moral characteristics of Christian pastoral care workers are identified.
• A model of self-care to process the psycho-social stresses of pastoral care of others is applied.
• The role of mentors and spiritual directors is explained.
• A strategy for personal growth is developed.

Integrated Assessment

Formative and summative assessments are the main assessment methods employed. The entire qualification is integrated and all the assessments employ a Bruner's spiral curriculum whereby knowledge from fundamental courses is developed in core courses. Assessment for each module will be conducted mainly by means of written assignments and in some cases, projects.