A Study of the Identity of Pastoral Counselors

Abstract This exploratory study examined the identity of pastoral counselors, also the distinguishing characteristics of pastoral, Christian, and biblical counseling. Data was collected from three focus groups totalling 67 participants affiliated with 12 religious denominations. Two groups of clerics reported professionally trained pastoral counselors to be the leading provider of pastoral counseling and the professionally trained pastoral counselor to be the most qualified provider of pastoral counseling. Although the clerics considered themselves to be one of the leading providers of pastoral counseling, many could not classify their activities between “pastoral care” versus “pastoral counseling.” Two focus groups of counselors highly agreed that the pastoral counselor is a professionally trained clinician whereas the opinion-makers and clerics disagreed. No participants could clarify the distinguishing aspects of pastoral, Christian, or biblical counseling.