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Pastors, Counseling and Mental Health: 6 Guidelines for Pastors to Consider

6. Personal Relationships

I understand that the nature of the pastors’ roles in counseling is to advise members of their congregations. However, if the relationship extends beyond that of a healthy pastor/church-member relationship, then the pastor might consider referring the counselee to someone else. It is a good idea for pastors to steer clear of counseling someone with whom they have a close and intimate relationship (i.e., family members, friends, neighbors, coworkers). These relationships may hinder one’s ability to provide objective counsel and create a division of authority within the relationship. The nature of the personal relationship can also change as a counselee divulges personal experiences and struggles.

The goal of counseling should always be to help the counselee. It is possible that the best treatment for someone is to receive therapy from a mental health professional while simultaneously receiving mentoring and discipleship from their pastor. There are trained biblical counselors, psychologists, social workers and other mental health professionals equipped to handle mental health issues. Utilizing outside resources for mental health related issues should not be a last resort for the church, but an integral part of serving those who need them.