Pastor as Counselor

Publisher Description

At a time when "counseling" is narrowly defined as only or primarily the work of mental health specialists, John Patton invites pastors to reclaim and revalue pastoral counseling as a specific and necessary form of pastoral care.

This very practical book offers no-nonsense, nuts and bolts instructions for pastors, chaplains, and ministers whose real specialty is the practice of relational wisdom. Re-framing pastoral counseling as a ministry of availability and introduction, Patton provides a helpful, step-by-step template for pastoral counseling sessions and clear guidelines for understanding when to defer and how to refer--all while remaining faithful to the basic pastoral calling to connect persons seeking help with the relationships and resources they need to deal with their lives.