Pastoral Formation

Pastoral ministry is the ultimate proving ground of a student’s formation: where learning finds its proper outlet in service. In light of this, almost all courses at Saint Meinrad, across the theological disciplines, approach their subject through a pastoral lens. Faculty members invite students to reflect on how course content and effective pastoral practice inform each other.

Aside from this general pastoral focus, the School of Theology offers a variety of courses and other opportunities to fulfill the expectations for pastoral formation, as outlined in Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord and other standards for ministry formation. Specific courses help students learn how to:

• provide formation for others;
• lead community prayer;
• manage change and conflict;
• develop basic counseling, communicatoin and pastoral care skills;
• appreciate the role, mission and dynamics of families.

Students may learn more about a globally diverse Church through language and culture courses and immersion programs, as well as extracurricular activities celebrating the uniqueness of various cultural traditions.

A series of available workshops provides training in general pastoral ministry skills, leadership, administration, stewardship and ministerial ethics.

Students may take workshops on vocational discernment, and a theological reflection group meets regularly throughout the year to share faith and discern the signs of the times.

Regular lectures, discussion sessions and other activities with seminarians and alumni help promote collaboration between ordained and lay ministers in the Church.

Pastoral theory is only as good as pastoral practice. For students who plan to go into professional ecclesial ministry upon completing their degree, Saint Meinrad encourages a supervised pastoral ministry experience.

The School has field supervisors in local parish, hospital, prison and other ministry placements. Under the guidance of the director and associate director of pastoral formation, students may undertake a for-credit field education experience that integrates direct ministry with theological reflection.

Some students may elect to complete programs in Clinical Pastoral Education, for which the School awards up to 12 credits. The school also offers a two-semester practicum in pastoral counseling at the Center for Family Ministries in Louisville, KY.