Guidelines for the Praxis of Pastoral Counseling

In this article, C.J.H. Venter reflects on the field of pastoral counseling from the perspective of the Netherlands, America, Germany and South Africa. He discusses several central aspects of pastoral counseling: It is a ministry of reconciliation; The Holy Spirit fulfils a central role; Pastoral counseling should be individualized; Pastoral counseling should take place within a pastoral relationship; Pastoral counseling should involve man’s whole being; Pastoral counseling should involve believers and fellow-believers and the New Testament emphasis on authority and attitude in pastoral counseling.