This course is designed to introduce students to the historic practices of pastoral care and counseling as set forth both in scripture and in church history. Pastoral care will be viewed as involving interactions with individuals and groups of people needing pastoral care; equipping the people of Christ to care for one another; and helping the local church embrace its responsibility to the surrounding community and the wider world. This course will also explore preliminary intervention in pastoral counseling, helping students to practice basic counseling skills and mobilize lay people in the local church to engage in a broad range of care giving ministries. (Ministry Cohort Course)