Pastoral Counseling

What Can Pastoral Counselors Do?

The pastoral counseling ministry is unique because it is more than an intellectual therapy session. Although pastoral counseling certainly demands that one has studied science and Scripture, another element should be expected from the counselee and the pastoral counselor. That element is that the Holy Spirit brings to and from a vessel filled with the Holy Spirit. A pastoral counselor should be called and empowered by the Holy Spirit to listen with a discerning ear to understand the counselee’s background, circumstances, thinking, and spirit. Through the Holy Spirit’s knowledge, wisdom, and guidance, the pastoral counselor can discern the hidden root causes of pain. Guilt, extended grief, feelings of inferiority, fear, family dysfunction, mental or physical abuse, and such can be strongholds that decrease an individual’s ability to function and thrive.

He or she can then assist the counselee with questions that help illuminate the hidden and often buried root causes or perspectives that facilitate discouragement, depression, anger, stalemate, and/or other hindrances. Pastoral counselors glean knowledge from the infallible Word of God that reveals the truth, life lessons, successes, and causes of failures. An individual can overcome even the most distressing circumstances and mindsets through practical knowledge and wisdom from the sound counsel of Scripture. In the process of psychotherapy, a pastoral counselor can help the faith of those who are in despair. The Word of God is profitable for the entire person. By learning and applying the Scripture, its principles, and its life-changing power, those who are despairing of hope can be encouraged and empowered to optimal health. Pastoral counseling uses beneficial tools that assist healing, guiding, and transforming by bringing hope and inspiration for good health and well-being on life’s journey.[1]

[1] Yoseph Pedhu, “Improving Performance: What Pastoral Counselors Can Do?” COUNS-EDU: The International Journal of Counseling and Education 5, no. 1 (2020): 29–38, https://doi.org/10.23916/0020200525910.