In My Context
My current setting for pastoral counseling is through my position at an ELCA church in Portland. I am the Coordinator of Children, Youth, & Family Ministries. At first, I thought this position involved mainly ministry event planning and directing. However, it is more than I anticipated, including a number of ambiguous expectations.
The church consists of mainly elderly, white, middle-class people who are retired. There are a number of younger families, and a few of them are related to the older generation. These younger families have children ranging from infant to seniors in high school. However, the majority of children are elementary aged. All of the families are white, lower middle-class to middle-class. The majority of parents are in heterosexual relationships, with the exception of one couple who have three younger children. There are four families consisting of single moms, though one is getting remarried this month. One of the families involves a grandparent taking care of grandchildren, which provides a unique dynamic in itself. Additionally, two families are currently experiencing major health crisis.
I actually do not have much experience with the ELCA apart from this year as the CYFM Coordinator. I grew up United Methodist; volunteered at “non-denominational”, baptist, and brethren churches in undergrad; volunteered at two mega-churches in Texas during my first time in seminary, then was a part of a (quite hipster/artsy) CMA Church until I moved to Portland. Now I work at an ELCA church and was attending a very non-tradition ELCA faith community until more recently, and am now checking out progressive Quaker communities. Therefore, I cannot talk about the ELCA theological tradition in depth, because I do not know enough.
I am equipped for this setting due to my experience with children and youth, both in volunteer and work positions, as well as my theological training. However, I know that I could use additional skill building on the counseling side of this ministry. I do not have many opportunities at present to engage in a counseling relationship, but this does come on occasion and I want to be prepared. Right now, I see this class as my opportunity to learn and grow in this area. With this I can better serve my families when they have a counseling need.
My current setting for pastoral counseling is through my position at an ELCA church in Portland. I am the Coordinator of Children, Youth, & Family Ministries. At first, I thought this position involved mainly ministry event planning and directing. However, it is more than I anticipated, including a number of ambiguous expectations.
The church consists of mainly elderly, white, middle-class people who are retired. There are a number of younger families, and a few of them are related to the older generation. These younger families have children ranging from infant to seniors in high school. However, the majority of children are elementary aged. All of the families are white, lower middle-class to middle-class. The majority of parents are in heterosexual relationships, with the exception of one couple who have three younger children. There are four families consisting of single moms, though one is getting remarried this month. One of the families involves a grandparent taking care of grandchildren, which provides a unique dynamic in itself. Additionally, two families are currently experiencing major health crisis.
I actually do not have much experience with the ELCA apart from this year as the CYFM Coordinator. I grew up United Methodist; volunteered at “non-denominational”, baptist, and brethren churches in undergrad; volunteered at two mega-churches in Texas during my first time in seminary, then was a part of a (quite hipster/artsy) CMA Church until I moved to Portland. Now I work at an ELCA church and was attending a very non-tradition ELCA faith community until more recently, and am now checking out progressive Quaker communities. Therefore, I cannot talk about the ELCA theological tradition in depth, because I do not know enough.
I am equipped for this setting due to my experience with children and youth, both in volunteer and work positions, as well as my theological training. However, I know that I could use additional skill building on the counseling side of this ministry. I do not have many opportunities at present to engage in a counseling relationship, but this does come on occasion and I want to be prepared. Right now, I see this class as my opportunity to learn and grow in this area. With this I can better serve my families when they have a counseling need.