This was written several years ago, but some tiny changes were made to it as it was resubmitted to academia.edu, so decided to provide a link to it for those interested.
Snapshots of Faith, Hope, and Growth in Disaster Response Chaplaincy
Author Archives: bukallifeministries
February Updates
We are presently nearing the end of Clinical Pastoral Orientation (CPO). It will finish in early March. Here are a few activities:
- February 29. Lower Lourdes Barangay. Activity with SK group. Leading training on Love and Dating.
- March 23. Start of Summer Intensive CPE. Finishing at end of May.
- June (Middle). Start of Half Unit Intensive CPE. May start CPO at same time.
- August (TBD). CPSP-Philippines plenary at St. Andrews Theological Seminary.
CPO Group
This is a picture of our CPO (Clinical Pastoral Orientation) group at Mang Inasal Restaurant for debrief after hospital visit at Baguio General Hospital for chaplaincy training.
Interpersonal Relationships Class
Dr. Lyn Montecastro leading Interpersonal Relationships modular course at PBTS January 6 to 17.
Entering 2020
We are looking forward to 2020. However, we will be starting off the new year rather slowly.
Joy and Celia after gift-giving at LTDJ.
December 31st. Today. We stopped by La Trinidad District Jail to drop off some presents for the those detained there. Nothing fancy– in fact, there are limitations of what can be given. We gave personal hygeine consummables and some snacks for the 70+ PDLs (persons deprived of liberty). We will start counseling there again on January 14.
January 6-9. Most of us will be at the Lide-Walker Bible Conference at Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary, January 6-8. Our office will be open part of the time. On the 9th, we will be at the Seminary Education by Extension Summit, also at PBTS.
January to March. A number courses are available. Doc Bob will be teaching Intro to Pastoral Counseling at Maranatha Bible College as a module. After that, Doc Bob and Chaplain Celia will continue with the 2nd semester courses at PBTS. In addition, Doc Chuck Henderson and Doc Lyn Montecastro will be teaching modules in Pastoral Care at PBTS and ABGTS.
Additionally, The revision of our book, Dynamics in Pastoral Counseling is 2/3 done, and should be finished in the next couple of weeks.
Our Pastoral Counseling Books (1 and 2)
Seminar in Aurora
Some photos from our trip to Baler, Aurora, for training of SK leaders of barangays in Maria Aurora. Celia and Bob Munson did the primary trainings, with assistance by the Ysrael and Fhey Coyoy and Arnold and Rose Arquillano. The topics were Depression and Conflict.
A Bit about What We Do… and Don’t
Periodically, we get asked what we do… and what we don’t do. So here is a list of activities.
DO: We do pastoral counseling with people who come to us. This type of counseling is “spiritual informed” but utilizes insights from the social sciences and the 2000 years of church history (embracing an “integrationist approach.” Counseling is done free of charge. Donations are not refused, but also not encouraged.
DON’T: We don’t do clinical psychological counseling. We also don’t embrace a nuothetic or “bible-only” approach to counseling.
DO: We hold certified training in Clinical Pastoral Education. This certification is through CPSP (College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy) and CPSP-Philippines. We do charge for this form of training (typically P15,000 per full unit, and P8,000 per half unit).
DO: We also hold seminars on various topics like depression, abuse, basic counseling skills, conflict resolution, family relationships, and more. We normally do these on request from hosts. We don’t normally charge for such trainings, but do expect the host to provide venue, sound and video systems, snacks, and promotions. If we have to travel a sizable distance, we would expect lodging, food, and travel costs covered.
DON’T: We are not a certified provider of CPD (Certified Professional Development) trainings as identified by the Philippine Regulatory Commission.
DO: Do refer to specialists for issues that are better handled by others, such as psychologists, psychiatrists, physicians, social workers, and so forth.
DON’T: We don’t do formal psychological assessments (such as is needed for activities like court cases, or government requirements).
DO: We also do practical chaplaincy work in hospital and jail settings.
DO: We welcome visitors to our office on the grounds of Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary (19 Tacay Road, Baguio City, Philippines)
DON’T: Don’t just show up without appointment. We are a group of volunteers and so we are often not at the office. When we are at the office already holding training or doing counseling. If someone is there at the office and not busy, he or she would be happy to talk, but it is better to contact us first.
DO: We do have training materials available– much of it self-produced. Books on Pastoral Counseling are available at our office and on the Web. These we have to charge for. Electronic resources are also available online… especially on http://www.slideshare,net.
Basic Counseling Skills Seminar
We were invited to speak at a gathering of young adults and youth leaders of Philippine Bethel Churches on November 23, 2019. Approximately 36 joined. We addressed active listening, basic therapeutic counseling, and some specific topics— anxiety, suicide, depression, and abuse. Despite the heaviness of these topics, we had a great time and appreciate the interest and hospitality of our hosts.
Upcoming Events
November 14. CPE Commissioning Service
November 22. Completion of CPE Full Unit
November 23. Pastoral Care Training Seminar. Puguis, La Trinidad
December 9. Conflict Resolution Training. Maria Aurora, Aurora Province
Bukal Life Care 