Absolutely a great resource for those in ministry. As a pastors wife who studied counseling, this book has been so encouraging and helpful even though I am not a pastor.

Thank you Net galley for the opportunity to review this book!

I picked up this book hoping to do a quick scan of the book before writing my review. I, instead, ended up reading this 80 page monograph and being pleasantly surprised. The book consists of two chapters, the first details the difference between pastoral counseling and traditional secular counseling. The second chapter outlines the unique elements that Christian counseling has to offer to broken people.

As a seminary graduate, I wished I had access to this content as I took my pastoral counseling course; as a pastor, I would have liked to have had this book available to help shape my thoughts as I interacted with my congregants; this book would have been helpful as I completed my Masters in Counseling at a state university (with two committed Christians on the faculty). Even now, 25 years after completing my education, I am glad to have access to this material for reference and review.

The author has drawn from saints across the ages: Gregory the Great, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, C. S. Lewis, Thomas C. Oden, Richard Baxter, Sally Lloyd-Jones, et al. He is also not afraid from using help from more secular counselors when appropriate (e.g. Freud, Satir, and Ellis). The book concludes with an extensive bibliography and scripture index - both of which add value to the book.

I would think every pastor, every Christian counselor, and every believer involved in helping others would find encouraging material in this small book. Even the introduction, written by a friend of the author, contains valuable thoughts. I give the book five stars.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

This is a very short work that is less a theology and more a pastoral exhortation. It feels like reading an older mentors words and encouragement for the purpose of pastoral counseling. The main thrust of the work is that pastors are meant and already do play a role as counselor. Because the book is short thahat is all the book is focused on.

Definitely read this if you have felt like counseling people is beyond your capacity as a pastor, or if you have ever wondered why you should both. I felt encouraged reading it and will return it in the future.

Don't read this if you are looking to be equipped as a counselor. This may encourage you, but it does not focused on methods. Also be aware that this is a very short work (80ish) pages. It is not long, but it is worth the read. It is also from a heavy Biblical counseling perspective. If you prefer a more integrative, or other counseling approach, then this also may not be for you.