Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Programme 2025/26 (CPE36E) – Not Paid for By SPH Tokens

The Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Programme of the Diocese of Singapore has been providing pastoral care training for pastoral staff, clergy, chaplains, befrienders and theological students for the past 20 years. The 2025/26 edition of the CPE Programme is now open for enquiry and application. We encourage all who seek greater pastoral competency and self-awareness to consider this programme. Please see below to find out more and to apply. All enquiries are welcome, by emailing [email protected].

What is Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)?

• Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is a process-oriented programme for the formation of heart, head and hands for spiritual and pastoral care ministry. CPE was pioneered by Dr Richard Cabot and Rev Anton Boisen in Massachusetts, USA in the 1920s. The Diocese of Singapore has been conducting CPE in partnership with Trinity Theological College (TTC) since Nov 2004.
• Participants gain spiritual and pastoral competency by integrating practical skills and insights into their practice and forming a coherent framework of ministry through personal and group theological reflection.
• Participants learn to practise clinical pastoral care that is disciplined, skillful, person-centred, culturally aware, ethical, professionally informed, theologically grounded and spiritually guided.
• CPE may be conducted in various settings, including healthcare, congregational life, school chaplaincy, community services, etc.

Distinctives of CPE

• Personhood of the pastor: CPE strongly emphasises self-awareness, interpersonal relationships, constructive self-evaluation, a vital conversation with God and continual personal growth. It uses an adult education model.
• Essential Pastoral Care Skills: Active Listening, attending and influencing, self-awareness, managing conflicts, self-care, use of spiritual resources e.g., Scriptures, prayer, sacraments, etc.
• Pastoral Situations: Ageing, sickness, psychiatric disabilities, suicide risk, end-of-life care, etc.
• Learning Format: Individual learning goals, lectures, role play, pastoral practice, interpersonal group sessions, real-life pastoral case studies and personal dialogues with God, and individual supervision.

Details of CPE 36E

• Language Medium: English [The CPE35C Cohort in Chinese will be run concurrently.]

• Schedule: Phase 1: Thursdays 2-5pm, 17 Jul to 27 Nov 2025 (And two Saturday sessions only on 16 and 23 August, 9am to 1pm)Recess: 4 Dec 2025 to 3 Jan 2026 Phase 2: Thursdays 2-5pm, 8 Jan to 7 May 2026 (No session on 19 Feb)
• Venue: Trinity Theological College Tutorial Rooms

Admission Process

Zoom Briefing with Q&A: 13 Mar 2025, 10:30am https://bit.ly/CPE36E_Zoom_Briefing

Application Options:

• Either online: https://bit.ly/CPE36E_Apply
• Or download a Word DOC Application Form from https://bit.ly/CPE36E_Brochure_Form and email the completed form to [email protected]

Application Details:

• Closing Date: 12 Apr 2025
• Pre-Admission Interview Date: 26 Apr 2025
• Confirmation of Admission: 3 May 2025
• Course Fees: S$450.00 (for matriculated TTC BD/MDiv students) or S$750.00 (for all others) payable by cheque or fund transfer to St Peter’s Hall, PayNow UEN: T21CC0004H indicating “[YourName] for CPE” latest by 30 Jun 2025

Programme Completion Requirements

• Learning Covenant (Written)
• 80 Pastoral Visits (Documented)
• 6 Clinical Verbatim Reports (Written)
• 3 Dialogue with God Reports (Written)
• Mid-term and Final Evaluation Reports (Written)
• Completion of Required Readings

Supervisory Team

• Revd William Tham, Revd Dr Norman Wong, Ms Lucilla Teoh, Ms Sheryl Cheong, Mr Michael Yeong

For further information

• Please email enquiries to [email protected]