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[carolynsinger]

 Here's your chance to sound off on what you think should be part of a pastor's education. I'm trying to figure out what to take next semester, so I'm listing all the courses I took and the potential courses I'd like to take. I only have room for 4 classes per semester! All of the courses I took in the last 4 semesters (including this one) were

Comments

[the_plunk]

The nerd in me suggests Hebrew or Greek for the scholarly background it could give you (plus, think of all the fun you could have at parties or watching Jeopardy!), but in light of your interest in activism and engagement in social issues I think you'd be well served with those Harvard Law courses. It's clear to me that you have specific goals you'd like to reach once you get your degree, and it looks like you'll be able to serve those well with a lot of these courses. I don't know enough to suggest more than that, I'm afraid. You must already have a good idea of what appeals to you...

[carolynsinger]

Indeed, the Geek cred vs. street cred is a constant tension in my program! Thanks for your input.

[sveeb]

Not to take anything away from what Steve has recommended, but most of these options seem pretty stodgy. I know that you're studying for Methodist ministry, but you're still Carolyn and you're far from stodgy. Not knowing what the courses really are like, I can't recommend anything specific, but I'd say go for the most crazy and subversive stuff possible. Or get into a course where you know you're going to disagree with everything the professor says so that you can get all worked up on a regular basis.

[carolynsinger]

Perhaps you'd like an option I forgot to list: "Advanced Pastoral Care in the LGBT Community"? Actually, although Harvard Law courses sound stodgy, they're probably the most subversive ones... they teach how to speak at protest rallies and how to organize peaceful protests like picketts, rallies, and demonstrations. And feminist theology is pretty subversive too

[sveeb]

In that case, I'd say that your best tools will be an open heart and an open mind, and those can never be taught. I've always hated when preachers/pastors have made it an issue of faith when people are having trouble in their lives and their solution is to pray or read the Bible. People don't go to the pastor looking for the answer they already know, they go to the pastor because she's a caring person who will listen and try to help.

When I was encouraging you to sign up for courses where you'd disagree with people, it wasn't so much because I had any idea where that would get you but more because it puts a small smile on my face to read some of the rants that you write. If there were a few thousand more people like you who were trained theologians and not afraid of four-letter words or gay people, I might spend more time in buildings with stained glass windows.

Being less of an ass, that Harvard course sounds really neat and I'd take it if I were in your shoes.

[carolynsinger]

Thanks you for comments! Right now in Intro to Pastoral Care/ Counseling, we're mostly learning active listening and when to refer people who need professional help... sometimes I wonder, "Why did I learn all of this theology if my job is to be mostly silent and non-directive?" Your first paragraph answers my question.

I'm glad you appreciate my rants. :o)