Just as a primary care physician is the “gatekeeper” to health care services, in many ways, a minister is the ^“gatekeeper^“ for people in need of mental, emotional or spiritual help. Counseling is a vital part of ministry.  A minister may counsel at the altar of his church, in the church narthex or church parking lot, sitting at a restaurant table, on the golf course, or on the telephone in the middle of the night.  Often, a person in crisis turns first to the pastor, priest, or rabbi for help.  One study indicated that 80 percent of those with family and marital problems turned first to their ministers. In the fast-paced society in which we live today, people have problems of great complexity and magnitude.  The minister is generally viewed as a safe place to turn.

There are several different categories of counselors, each of whom have different educational and licensing requirements.  The Ministerial Counselor is not licensed as a professional counselor but can provide ministerial counseling.  A Ministerial Counselor must not engage in the practice of clinical counseling.  In other words, so long as a minister does not present him/herself as a clinical professional counselor, he/she is free to engage in spiritual and religious counseling. The ministerial counselor must not employ behavioral science or psychological theories, methodologies or techniques. The ministerial counselor is expected to counsel and advise from the perspective of the religion he or she represents.

The world of pastoral counseling is tricky: make sure that you are aware of the red flags and legal pitfalls that you may face through pastoral counseling.  To learn how to safeguard yourself and your church from these pitfalls, please contact The Church Law Group to preorder our Guide to Pastoral Counseling (with forms) that includes an in–depth examination of pastoral counseling that will inform you of vital information that you can implement as you engage in pastoral counseling. Email churchlawgroup@amlawteam.com or call 972-444-8777 if you have any questions about your church’s counseling ministry or would like to preorder the Church Law Group Guide to Pastoral Counseling.

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