Christian Presence: Prayer, Visitation, and Spiritual Care

About this course

This practicum develops the capacity for sustained Christian presence in moments of vulnerability, transition, illness, grief, and spiritual questioning. Grounded in the hope of the gospel and the pastoral tradition of the church, the course prepares congregational pastors to offer prayerful, attentive, and theologically grounded care across a range of life circumstances.

Students examine the theology of presence as participation in Christ’s ministry of reconciliation and compassion. Attention is given to listening as a pastoral discipline, to the appropriate use of Scripture and prayer in care settings, and to discerning when referral or collaboration with other professionals is necessary. The course explores the emotional demands placed upon pastors in hospital rooms, homes, crisis situations, and everyday conversations of care.

Particular emphasis is placed on boundaries, differentiation of self, and avoiding over-functioning in care relationships. Students reflect on how their own experiences of suffering, grief, and faith influence their pastoral posture. Through role practice, case reflection, and guided supervision, participants cultivate habits of presence that are steady, compassionate, and spiritually attentive.

Designed for Commissioned Ruling Elders serving as congregational pastors, this practicum prepares leaders to embody Christian hope with humility and integrity in the most tender moments of congregational life.

Course objectives

• Articulate a theological understanding of pastoral presence rooted in the ministry of Christ.
• Demonstrate attentive listening and appropriate use of prayer and Scripture in spiritual care settings.
• Provide pastoral visitation that is compassionate, grounded, and responsive to individual context.
• Recognize emotional and spiritual dynamics present in crisis, grief, illness, and transition.
• Maintain healthy boundaries and appropriate differentiation in pastoral care relationships.
• Discern when referral or collaboration with other care professionals is necessary.
• Integrate systems awareness into pastoral care without losing personal attentiveness.
• Reflect on their own responses to suffering and identify practices that sustain compassionate leadership.

Who may participate?

All church leaders unless a prerequisite or a particular offering states otherwise.