Why Pastors Should be Counselors (of a Sort): A Response to Richard L. Krebs

Abstract

In responding to a previously published article, the author argues that although parish clergy may not be in an ideal context for a certain kind of long-term counseling due especially to transference phenomena, their very involvements in the lives of their parishioners represent opportunities for effective ministry. The expectations placed on them by their role often make the minister the preferred and even the unique helper in a wide range of situations.