connections: A Refleciton on the Role of the Parish Minister as a Provider of Postoral Care

Abstract

Seward Hiltner, developer of the CPE program, created a learning experience in the hospital setting because he believed that the best way for seminary students to test out theories of pastoral theology was to view them from experience. In addition, it takes only a scant amount of experience to prove the necessity of the theories. In developing my own definition of pastoral theology during my internship I read the following books: The Moral Context of Pastoral Care, by Don Browning; Preface to Pastoral Theology, by Seward Hiltner; Agenda for Theology: Recovering Christian Roots, by Thomas Oden; and Ritual and Pastoral Care, by Elaine Ramshaw. I will discuss each book individually and attempt to relate each theme to a practical aspect of my work at First Christian Church.