Annual Augsburg Chaplain Training PT401 Pastoral Care & Counseling
Register Here
Join us for a week of Chaplain Training on Pastoral Care and Counseling. This course involves hands-on-training in CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) with veterans in the El Paso area, and the theological foundation for pastoral care from the perspective of being a theologian of the cross. One of the hardest things for anyone to do is “get out of your own way” when it comes to God and our fellow human beings. Yet, to provide pastoral care one has to learn how to “put yourself on the shelf” to listen and absorb what the person you are counseling is saying to you. Picking up on on ‘hints’ and having a good social-interaction “IQ” are critical talents in pastoral care if someone is going to care for the flock that Christ died to give you as a chaplain and a pastor. Participants may enroll through ILT for credit in a certificate program, or a graduate program. All participants will receive continuing education credit for this training.
You are invited to be a participant by either calling Rev. Lenae Rasmussen 915-238-9000 or sending an email to lrasmussen@ilt.edu. You may enroll for ILT credit through the ILT.edu website. The theology of Martin Luther and Gerhard Forde will be highlighted as the Pastoral Care competencies required of chaplains covers Nurture the Living, Care for the Wounded and Honor the Dead.
Training Dates: January 15-20, 2026
Travel Dates: January 14 and 21, 2026
Location: St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of El Paso, 6316 Pino Real Dr., El Paso, TX 79912
The purpose of our annual chaplain training is to enhance our chaplains’ preparation for Ministry in a Pluralistic Setting. Please remember, when submitting your request for orders, that this is essential training for maintaining your endorsement.
Cost of Attendance: $500 per chaplain and books ($50.00 approx.) Please purchase Listening and Caring Skills, by John Savage, and The Universe Next Door by James W. Sire, in advance. They are the primary text books. There will be handouts and PDF material in addition.
Meals: Chaplains should submit Requests for Orders (RFO) in October-November as Additional Duty Training (ADT), with travel, standard per diem. PT is on your own. Attendance at this training is mandatory except for those who are deployed. Your unit must fund your travel and attendance.
Lodging: Chaplains can book rooms at the Holiday Inn Express located at 1091 Doniphan Park Circle, El Paso, TX 79922. See Map You may call the Reservation Desk at 866-994-7231
Course Description: This course introduces students to the public Office of the Ministry and the art of counseling people. It begins with the theology of Pastoral Care in Scripture and the developments made by Luther in the Small Catechism and the Reformers in the Augsburg Confession. From this theological grounding, the focus of the course becomes utilizing CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) in the conduct and tasks of the Pastoral Office. Students will learn pastoral counseling and ethics first-hand while visiting the flock at the Veterans Home, hospital, and VA settings (home, hospital, and shut-ins), learning how to deal with the lost and erring, community involvement, and the taking care of oneself. Emphasis is placed upon the methodological and hermeneutical priority of the law/gospel approach within a context of Seelesorge (care of souls).
SCHEDULE
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Travel Day.
Arrive, get settled, eat, meet, greet.
Thursday, January 15, 2026
0900-1200: Class at 6316 Pino Real Dr. / CH (CPT) Rev. Michael R. Giese, USAR, ret., Rev. Alan Druckenmiller, & Lenae C. A. Rasmussen (Endorser)
1200-1300: Lunch
1300-1700: Class—Interviews at Texas Veterans Home & Verbatims
1730-1900: Dinner
Friday, January 16, 2026
0900-1200: Class at 6316 Pino Real Dr. / CH (CPT) Rev. Michael R. Giese, USAR, ret. & Rev. Alan Druckenmiller
1200-1300: Lunch
1300-1700: Class—Interviews at WBAMC & Verbatims
1730-2000: Dinner
Saturday, January 17, 2026
0900-1200: Class at 6316 Pino Real Dr. / CH (CPT) Rev. Michael R. Giese, USAR, ret.
1200-1300: Lunch
1300-1700: Class—Veteran Home Visits & Verbatims
1730-2000: Dinner
Sunday, January 18, 2026
0930: Worship at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
1130-1230: Lunch
1400 - 1700: Class Get-Together-Fellowship
Monday, January 19, 2026
0900-1200: Class at 6316 Pino Real Dr. / Rev. Timothy J. Swenson on Theological Foundations of Pastoral Care
1200-1300: Lunch
1300-1700: Class Interviews & Verbatims Seminar / CH (CPT) Rev. Michael R. Giese, USAR, ret.
1730-1900: Dinner
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
0900-1030: Class at 6316 Pino Real Dr. / Rev. Lenae C. A. Rasmussen on The Theology of Forde and Pastoral Care
1030-1200: Business Meeting and Chaplaincy Requirements
1200-1300: Lunch
1300-1700: Class Seminar / CH (CPT) Rev. Michael R. Giese, USAR, ret. & Rev. Alan Druckenmiller
1730-1900: Dinner
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Check-Out and Travel Day
Societas Cruces
Come join us as we explore the Christian life lived under the sign of the cross, where “the cross alone is our only theology.” Our speakers: Dr. Bielfeldt, Dr. Hein, and Mr. Miles have taught and lived such a Christian life. Our preachers feature the well-seasoned in Swenson and Rasmussen and the newly begun in Dawson and Little. There will be lots of time for discussion and questions. Expect plenty of interaction as we engage in the “conversation and consolation of the saints”— enjoying that means of grace delivered in the gathering of the priesthood of all believers.