Pre-marriage retreats

Click Here to Visit the Pre Marriage Retreat Page

professional education

education philosophy

Education offered by the Institute is professional, progressive, and personalized to the adult learner’s needs and abilities. Assessment of the student’s current capacity for pastoral care and counseling begins with the initial interview and application, continues with each course or supervision experience, and is repeated at regular intervals as the student progresses toward their goals. Coursework and supervision is designed to leverage personal responsibility and to challenge the student to grow holistically through blended learning experiences. Effective use of self is as important as acquiring core content knowledge consistent with one’s pastoral role. Technical skill and mastery should be accompanied by more transformational changes in self-understanding, the depth of one’s relatedness, and giving shape to each pastoral encounter. All of our students are expected to advocate the ethical standards of pastoral counselors consistent with their religious affiliation and the code of conduct of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors.
 

courses and seminars

For more information on professional education programs, please contact Executive Director, Douglas M. Thorpe, at dthorpe@vipcare.org

psychological assessments

History

The Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care, Inc. has provided psychological assessment of candidates for the ministry since 1971. Currently VIPCare provides approximately 150 assessments a year for the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church, the Virginia Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Eastern Virginia, the Potomac, and the Eastern North Carolina Association of the United Church of Christ, Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia, Episcopal Diocese of Virginia and the Virginia Disciples of Christ Church.

Purpose

The purpose of the psychological assessment process is to provide psychological consultation for candidates for the ministry and for denominational officials whose responsibility it is to make decisions regarding candidates for the ministry. The psychological assessment is understood to be one aspect of a larger discernment process and its intent is to provide consultation in terms of psychological readiness for ministry.

Process

Upon request, psychological tests and a history form are sent to a proctor who administers the tests to the candidate and returns the completed tests to VipCare. The candidate may also come to the VipCare office to have the tests proctored. The particular tests used are determined in dialogue with the denomination.

The tests are scored by VipCare and a preliminary testing report is written.

A one hour interview is scheduled for the candidate at the VIPCare office, during which time the test results are shared with the candidate and the interviewer engages the candidate in conversation regarding the test results and the general history of the candidate.

A final report of 2-3 pages is written by the interviewer, reviewed by Dr. Douglas M. Thorpe, and sent to the persons designated by the denominational officials.

The report is usually divided into the following sections: background information in terms of the candidate’s history; personality profile from the testing; self-image; vocational interests from the testing; addendum from the candidate; readiness for ministry; concerns; questions the denominational interviewing committee may wish to ask the candidate. The outline may be altered to meet the needs of particular denominations. The process takes 45-60 days from the time the completed test materials are returned to VIPCare.

residency and internships

For more information on internships and/or supervision, please contact Executive Director, Douglas M. Thorpe, at dthorpe@vipcare.org

presentations & workshops

We offer a variety of presentations, such as:

Addiction and Substance Abuse–
Twelve Steps to Freedom
Spiritual Caregiving to Help Addicted Persons and Families
Addiction and Families: A Congregational Substance Abuse Ministry
Substance Abuse Prevention Ministry
Substance Abuse Recovery Assistance Ministry

Depression– 
Men Get Depression
Surviving the Storm: Depression in Teens

Family Life– 
We’re Not THAT Dysfunctional
When Too Much Is Not Enough: Hoarding
Road Signs for Becoming a Good Man
Five Love Languages of Children
Common Diagnoses in Children

Leadership– 
Authentic Leadership
Retreats and Consultations for Church Staff and Boards

Marriage Enrichment– 
Baby Proofing Your Marriage
Principles for Making Your Marriage Work
Marriage – Ordained in Heaven but Made on Earth
Masters of Marriage

Spirituality– 
How Your Spirituality Affects Your Emotions and Physical Health