“Topics in Pastoral Care II” 

This course will introduce students to the ministry of caring, which is the work of a community of faith. Topics for this semester will include family systems and pastoral care, confidentiality, trauma informed care, and crisis counseling. The Case Study method will be used to increase student skills in ministry practice and theological reflection.

Instructor: Rev. Dr. Ron Baard (rbaard@maineucc.org)

Bio:  Ron is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Madison (B.S., Education) and Princeton Theological Seminary (M. Div.). He earned his M. A. and Ph.D. in Theology and Personality (with emphasis in pastoral counseling) at Claremont School of Theology. An ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, Dr. Baard is a Fellow in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (now in consolidation with ACPE), a member of Spiritual Directors International and the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation. He served as the Imes-Lowry Professor of Pastoral Studies at Bangor Theological Seminary for a decade until its closure in 2013, and has more recently taught at Andover Newton Theological School and Boston University School of Theology.

       Ron currently serves as Acting Dean of the Maine School of Ministry and as an Adjunct Professor at New York Theological Seminary. He is an active member at First Parish Church, United Church of Christ, in Brunswick, Maine where his spouse Mary serves as Senior Pastor. Ron and Mary have two grown daughters - Lauren and Karin, who live close by. Lauren is married to Jay, and they have a three-year old son - Caleb - our grandson!