The Impact of Pastoral Counseling on Humanity

By: Pastor Raheel Rizvi

The pastoral counseling is applied to those in need of the care of God. The focus of pastoral counseling is not upon the individual alone, the ability of the counselor to help people, or what the counselor and counselee may discover together. Instead, the focus of pastoral counseling is on what an individual can receive from God. The function of the pastoral counselor is to aid that process.

Pastoral counseling takes the dynamics of individual ministry and expands them to the body of believers. The counselor is aware and makes the counselee aware of the corporate nature of life. No one lives in isolation. Counsel is not given in a vacuum – separate and isolated. An individual is part of other relationships. The pastoral counselor highlights those relationships. Special attention is given to relationships formed in the home, church, and community.

A particular function of pastoral counseling is to bind the wounds of those who are in need of counsel. The pastoral counselor sees the church and community as the wounded ones in need of healing. Hence, healing ministry in pastoral counseling may emphasize strength, power, and success. Scripture presents a greater emphasis on the healing aspect of counsel. When someone seeks counsel, it is usually to receive binding for wounds.

Another emphasis of pastoral counseling for humanity is peril. When individuals come for counsel, they are usually in peril because of an overwhelming need. They feel inadequate and alone. They are in a vulnerable position. Pastoral counseling emphasizes safety amid danger and deliverance from peril.  

The basis of pastoral counseling is “Theocentric,” which means "Counseling and care that has God as the ultimate center and source of the counseling and care process." Pastoral counseling revolves around 4 four basic areas.  1. What does this person need? (The center/source is the counselee.) 2. What can I do for this person? (The center/source is the counselor.) 3. What can we do together? (The center/source is the relationship.) 4. WHAT IS GOD DOING? God is the center/source (active & and sovereign).

Does a person have to be a Christian in order to receive God-centered counseling? No, because God is working upon a life whether they are a Christian or not. Pastoral counselors believe God is concerned about the whole person. Therefore, the God-centered method seriously takes into account the whole person. The pastoral counselor makes the distinctive contribution of focusing on individuals and problems from a God-centered perspective, thereby complementing others and maintaining one’s own contribution as a God-centered counselor.

Pastor Raheel Rizvi
Word International Ministries Massachusetts
430 Essex St, Unit #6
Salem, MA 01970

Word International Ministries Massachusetts    
430 Essex St Unit 6, Salem, MA 01970
(978) 594-5474

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