Supervised Theological Field Education (STFE) as intercultural conversation: learning from peer reflection in Melbourne, Australia. Issue 4 (8th August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mallaby, Anne; Tan, Jun
• Is Part Of: Practical theology. Volume 11:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 287
• Page End: 299
• Publication Date: 2018-08-08
• Subjects: Supervision -- intercultural -- theological reflection -- peer reflection; Theology, Practical -- Periodicals; Pastoral care -- Periodicals; Pastoral theology -- Periodicals; Pastoral counseling -- Periodicals; 253.05
• DOI: 10.1080/1756073X.2018.1433921
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1756-073X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The processes of Supervised Theological Field Education in the Australian context were developed in a largely Western educative model, and yet the changing cultural landscape of Melbourne, including the shape of the local church itself, has brought challenge to the way the supervisory processes are managed. Pastoral supervision prioritises experience as the starting point for theological reflection, and experience always occurs in a context. Understanding the context creates potential for insight upon experience and transformation of the individual. Within supervisory relationships, both individual and peer group, serious engagement with culture and intercultural communication needs to take place. The dynamics of reflective communication are complex, so a process of reflection upon the cultural nuances, the nature of power, and perceptions and illusions around cultural dynamics was put in place between the writers of this paper as peer group facilitators. Peer group supervision became a collaborative inter-cultural conversation that prompts theological reflection.