CPE Brochure
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formatted brochure here
or view the contents below (which is a summary of items on this website).
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What is Congregation-Based Clinical Pastoral Education?
How is this accomplished?
What is the time commitment?
What are the professional credentials of the instructor Rev. Robert
C. Spilman?
What does the curriculum
include?
How
do participants benefit from this experience?
Where do classes take place?
What is the program's
accreditation?
Pastors and Students Say:
Supporting Groups
Endorsements
Contact
Congregation Based
Clinical
Pastoral Education
Samaritan Pastoral Counseling Center of the Niagara Frontier, Inc.
322 Old
Falls Blvd.
N. Tonawanda, NY 14120
For Jamestown and Rochester location addresses see the contact webpage.
716-743-9117
1-800-660-5053
(outside Erie & Niagara Counties)
__What is Congregation-Based Clinical Pastoral Education?__
It is a continuing education program that teaches pastoral
care and leadership and systems theory for clergy and lay ministers
in the church. It is designed for experienced pastors and for ministers
and seminarians new to pastoral work. They strengthen pastoral and leadership
skills and creatively address tension and conflict in the church. The
focus is on in-depth "systemic" change that reduces congregational anxiety
and addresses long-term issues in the church.
Four creative components include:
•
emphasis on pastoral and leadership issues in the congregation
• consultation on ministry using the case study
CPE format
• application of Bowen Family System Theory
to congregational life
• theological reflection on pastoral ministry
__What is the time commitment?__
(1) A fall/winter unit meeting from September to January, one day per
week
(2) a spring unit meeting from February to June, two days every other week
(3) a summer/fall unit meeting from July
to November two days every other week
__What are the professional credentials of the instructor Robert Spilman?__
Rev. Robert C. Spilman,
M. Div., is an ordained pastor of the Lutheran Church-- Missouri
Synod. He received his B.A. degree in history from the University of
Rochester and his M. Div. degree from Yale University Divinity School.
He completed his theological education at Concordia Theological Seminary,
St. Louis. He participated in the Edwin Friedman Family Systems seminars
in Bethesda, MD, and continues to
study Bowen Family Systems Theory in post-graduate seminars. In 1990,
he was certified as a Full Supervisor in the Association for Clinical
Pastoral Education. His special interest is applying the family systems
perspective to the teaching of pastoral care and leadership in the congregation.
__What does the curriculum include?__
(1) Case material from congregational ministry
(2) presentations and discussions on systems theory, theology, and pastoral ministry
(3) reflection time designed to strengthen
ministry.
__How do participants benefit from this experience?__
They use their current experience in their own churches
as the "clinical material" for learning in the small group process of
eight to nine students under the guidance of the CPE supervisor. The
program explores the dynamics of the congregation using the systems
theory. Participants explore how their position in their family of origin
impacts their use of self in ministry while working to manage anxiety
and maximize strengths.
__Where do classes take place?__
The program is offered locally at the Samaritan Pastoral Counseling
Center in N. Tonawanda, NY. Off-sites venues are also utilized in Rochester
and Jamestown. For maps to all locations see the contact
webpage page.
__What is the program's
accreditation?__
It is accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education
(ACPE) as a Satellite of Sisters of Charity Hospital, Buffalo, NY. The
Samaritan Pastoral Counseling Center of the Niagara Frontier includes
Congregation-Based CPE as a component of its ministry offerings. It
is certified for twelve CEU credits by the Eastern District of the Lutheran
Church-- Missouri Synod.
• "What I have learned about myself in the context of the CPE peer
group is that this kind of interaction is essential to being a pastoral
care giver".
• "The re-occurring theme that "this is a lifelong process" in understanding
self is most helpful. Thank you for your insightful manner and consistent
leadership on this journey we have shared by God's grace".
• Lutheran Church--Missouri
Synod Eastern District
• Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Upstate
New York Synod
• Lutheran Charities
• Network of Religious Communities
• Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
• Sponsoring Churches
• Western NY Conference United Methodist Church
• Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School
• Concordia Lutheran Seminary, St. Catharines,
Ontario
• Northeastern Seminary Rochester
• United Church of Christ NY Conference
• Episcopal Diocese of WNY
• "I believe it is an excellent way for people to enhance their
sense of pastoral identity, personal awareness, and functioning in ministry".
--Rev. Allen K. Griep
Former Executive Director
Samaritan Pastoral Counseling Center
• "I commend the program and Rev. Bob Spilman for the care, competence,
and excellence with which the course of study and participatory experience
is carried out".
--Rev. Dr. David Belasic
Past President, Eastern District LCMS
• "Congregation-based CPE has enhanced ministry in this district
of The United Methodist Church as pastors and candidates have learned
more about their own leadership and its impact on people and family
systems. I commend it to all those who would desire to grow in ministry
effectiveness".
--Rev. Larry R. Baird, Cornerstone District Superintendent, WNY Conference
The United Methodist Church
Rev. Robert
C. Spilman 363 Darwin Drive
Amherst, NY 14226
Telephone: 716-839-4316 or
716-479-7933 cell
E-mail:
robertspilman@congregationbasedclinicalpastoraleducationwny.org
