The Salvation Army Booth College

Being a pastoral leader in today’s world is complex. By exploring biblical and theological foundations for pastoral ministry you will be equipped to understand yourself better and will learn vital skills to minister to people in your Christian context.

The unit code contains information on the level of study, field, discipline, unit and college. Click here to learn what the unit code for this unit represents.

27 July 2026 - 30 October 2026

A weekly Online Class will be held via Zoom on Fridays 11.00 am - 12.00 pm (AEST). Students should adjust the times on their schedule provided for their time zone as required.

We recommend that you allocate 12 hours a week for all study activities.

No prerequisites required.

This unit is created for online delivery incorporating synchronous and asynchronous learning and engagement. Teaching methods include readings, interactive/video lectures, interactive tutorials and workshops, videos, skills demonstration and reflection on practice. 

Students are expected to engage with the online content provided for each learning block before joining the class discussions. Class discussions will focus on the ideas and concepts presented in the learning blocks. Links to content will be provided via the learning management system, ARK.

*This unit is offered at Undergraduate and Postgraduate level. Students may engage with people across both levels when this unit is delivered.

Our assessments are designed with our curriculum values in mind. Visit our curriculum values here.

Assessment 1 – 25%

Assessment 2 – 35%

Assessment 3 – 40%

Upon successful completion of this unit, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Articulate biblical and theological foundations for pastoral ministry.

2. Assess the place of pastoral care within the overall ministry of the church.

3. Demonstrate and evaluate effective helping skills for pastoral ministry and pastoral care.

4. Reflect theologically and personally on an understanding of self and others.

5. Critically evaluate approaches to pastoral care to aid implementation of a model within a local ministry setting.

6. Identify and respond to a person's spiritual needs and resources in ways that contribute to a person's wellbeing.

To undertake this unit, you are required to have access to a copy of: 

• Whipp, Margaret. Pastoral Theology. London, UK: SCM Press, 2013

(available at EBC Library as an eBook)