Joan Singleton (MA)

Joan Singleton is a part-time teacher at IBI and as well as teaching pastoral care is responsible for coordinating our pastoral care for students.

Joan Singleton

Tell us a bit about yourself?

I grew up on a farm in Country Antrim but since 1977 when I moved to live in Cork for 2 years I have lived in Dublin, England, Thurles and since 2007 Dublin. I trained as a geography teacher but also taught English to Asian adults while living in England.  I worked with Christian Unions Ireland in the early 1980s and it was a real privilege to travel around Ireland supporting Christian students in their witness on campus and meeting church leaders all over the country.

I live in Dublin 15 and am involved with Dublin West Community Church, leading the mission team and ladies Bible study and also involved with a growth group and pastoral care within the church.

I have 2 adult children who with friends help me to switch off often by playing board games.  I also enjoy stretching my mind by watching quizzes and ‘who done it’ type of murder mysteries.

What course do you teach at IBI?

I teach pastoral care from first year to MA and also coordinate the Ministry and Personal Development module for first years.

Why are you passionate about Pastoral Care?

I love teaching pastoral care as it is about living our faith, expressing what we believe about God and life in how we relate to others especially when life is painful and difficult.  We deal with many complex subjects such as depression but in the module there is always hope because God brings hope and we can be of help to others.  

Why does Pastoral Care matter?

Someone said, “People don’t care what you know until they know that you care” I think this is true and therefore caring for others is putting into action what Jesus said (John 13:34-35) that others will know we are Christians by our love, so pastoral care is essential for godly growth and for outreach.

How does Pastoral Care shape people - head, hands, heart?

Often people do not want to get involved in listening to someone who is struggling because they feel they will not know how to help or what advice to give.  Our classes take away that pressure by emphasising how we can care by listening and showing God’s care to people and helping them to get the input that they need which may not be from just us.