Final Evaluation

CPE is more than just doing chaplain visits in a hospital. In fact CPE can be done in settings other than hospitals, though medical settings still seem to be the most common. But the main goals involve developing the person of the pastor, and helping the pastor become better suited to give care to other people. And one of the key ways this is done is by helping the pastor explore his-/her-self, and interpersonal interactions with other people. It can be hard to explain how this works, since it's pretty emotional, touch-feely, and relationship oriented, which I find are things that I have a hard time explaining in words.

The end of our first unit has arrived, and with the end of the unit comes the final evaluation. I thought maybe if I posted the questions that we have to answer, it may help reveal a bit of the process. Though they may need some clarification, so go ahead and ask!

1. Give a brief biographical description of yourself
2. State your progress toward your learning goals and the CPE Outcomes.
3. How did you use your own religious heritage to minister in this setting? What new pastoral skills, resources or other religious traditions have been helpful? Include clinical material and critical incidents.
4. Describe your ministry to patients and staff this unit. How did your presence affect them? What did you learn from them?
5. State your understanding of how this experience has impacted your theology.
6. Discuss your understanding of how your personal strengths and weaknesses are utilized in your ministry. How does your personal story (including your family background and relationships) impact your pastoral identity and ministry?
7. What have you learned about yourself from each of your peers? Describe these relationships. How have you used your peer group for support, clarification and confrontation?
8. Evaluate your relationship with your supervisor. How have you used supervision? What have you learned about the way you relate to authority figures?
9. What are your future learning goals and how will you work toward your goals?

Each CPE student is required to write a report answering all of these questions. Then on our final group day, we will gather together and go over them. This is from the memo about that meeting:

The goal is to give your evaluative impressions, ideas and feelings about each person including you and the supervisors. Please include your assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of each person. This can be done directly, or through the use of images or under the umbrella of "Blessings" and "Hopes" for each person. You may include what the person has meant to you and your learning or growth. Base your assessment on whatever context or ways that you have observed or experienced each person. Please share briefly how you have worked on your goals as part of your group evaluation.