ASAP - NEED Done
Bogdansky
identity_and_ethics_handout.docxPACO 500
Pastoral Counselor’s Identity and Ethics
As we continue to think through the process of developing and managing our relational styles, “professional awareness and professional style” must also become part of the discussion. Interestingly, this conversation is not one we will be able to finish in the remaining modules/weeks of this course; however, it is one that we MUST begin. This handout exposes you to the need to describe professional or vocational identity and to manage it wisely through appropriate boundaries and relationships with your soul-care context. Some resist this kind of discussion with comments like…just follow God’s Word and all will be well. In one sense, that is very true; in another, it is a very undeveloped premise.
Consider for a moment, a professional in the Bible that ignored his identity within a relational context. King David, the “apple of God’s eye”, embarrassed God, disgraced his God-given post, and destroyed lives. Unfortunately, this brief treatise cannot discuss the various influences shaping King David’s decision; needless to say, he sinned…BUT it began with a temptation to isolate (i.e., step out of battle: 2 Sam. 11:1) and medicate (i.e., slept with another’s bride: 2 Sam. 11:2–5) which resulted in stepping away from his God-given identity and responsibility to a relational context (i.e., without intentional accountability, he believed his own lie that he deserved self-gratification at everyone else’s expense: 2 Sam. 11:6–27). Until Nathan confronted him, David is presented as a blamer thinking he could do anything he wanted in his God-given assigned part of the world (i.e., he even thought he might convince God to overrule the consequences of his selfishness: 2 Sam. 12:1–23). Thankfully, David repented…but the sad thing was that no apology could repair what he had destroyed. Pastor Joe McKeever wrote about this recently through his 6/8/2013 blog; check it out: http://joemckeever.com/wp/bill-glasss-story-referee/#more-3762 In sum, if we ignore our professional identity, a negative influence may take a very long time to overcome.
In a plea for pastors to pursue the prophetic call of the Bible for radical ministry, John Piper (2002) emphatically declared:
Brothers, we are NOT professionals! We are outcasts. We are aliens and exiles in the world (1 Pet. 2:11). Our citizenship is in heaven, and we wait with eager expectation for the Lord (Phil. 3:20)….The aims of our ministry are eternal and spiritual….There is an infinite difference between the pastor whose heart is set on being the aroma of Christ, the fragrance of death to some and eternal life to others (2 Cor. 2:15–16). (pp. 2, 3)
Most definitely, Piper’s intent is honorable, but would it have been more helpful to say: Brothers, DO NOT BE “earthy” professionals; BECOME “heavenly” professionals! …Selah!
Sadly, Piper’s statement infers that it may not be possible to develop a professional identity that reflects citizenship in heaven. More importantly, with the pressures of contemporary ministry, a heavenly professional identity is needed now more than ever. For example, how do we as ministers of the Gospel remain responsible under-shepherds when we grow tired and weary…and want to isolate? How do we posture ourselves to personally prevent demoralization and secularization which often result in various ethical dilemmas embarrassing the kingdom of our Lord? Perhaps one of the ways we will hear less of “Eternal Trust Brokers becoming Earthy Trust Busters is to imagine how we would think, act, feel, and relate to God, others, and self under a different banner: “Brothers & Sisters, we MUST become heaven’s Professionals!” Moving forward, the Pastoral Counselor’s ‘Identity and Ethics Paper’ will require you to develop a heavenly-grounded and relationally responsible professional paradigm for your soul-care context.
Resurrecting a historic professionalism instituted by our ministerial fathers may be one of the boundary setting tools our great God wants to use in your soul care context. Though we do not have the time for a full discussion on professionalism and its tie to the spiritual formation of ministry leaders, delineating some basic parameters for your future investigation may be helpful. According to Trull and Carter (2004), professional awareness observes the following boundaries:
1. Education. The minister will prepare for Christian service by experiencing a broad liberal arts education, followed by specialized training in theology and ministry. Ministers will also be committed to a lifelong process of study and growth that prepares them for continued service (e.g., a consideration from Inspiration: 2 Tim. 2:15).
2. Competency. The church shepherd will develop and refine pastoral gifts and vocational skills in order to act competently in any situation that requires his or her services (e.g., Inspiration Considerations: Eccl. 12:9–14; 1 Cor. 12:7–11; Eph. 4: 11–12).
3. Autonomy. The minister is called to a life of responsible decision-making involving potentially dangerous consequences. As a spiritual leader, the minister will make decisions and exert pastoral authority in light of the servant-leader model exemplified by Christ (e.g., a consideration from Inspiration: John 13:1–16).
4. Service. The minister’s motivation for ministry will be neither social status nor financial reward, but rather agapē love, to serve others in Christ’s name (e.g., critical considerations from Inspiration: 1 Corinthians 10:24; 13:1–13).
5. Dedication. The minister will “profess” to be attentive to his Master’s bidding (Rom. 12:1–2) in order to provide something of great value, the good news of God’s salvation and the demonstration of God’s love through Christian ministry. To these values the called of God is dedicated (Rom. 1:11–17).
6. Ethics. In relation to congregation, colleagues, and community, as well as in personal life, the ordained will live under the discipline of an ethic that upholds the highest standards of Christian morality (e.g., leadership considerations from Inspiration: 1 Tim. 3:1–7; 1 Peter 5:1–4). (pp. 39–40)
Consider purchasing James D. Glasse’s (1968) timely work Profession: Minister; Confronting the Identity Crisis of the Parish Clergy. A central premise in Glasse’s work is that a minister infers that s/he is an ethically responsible professional every time someone calls on him/her with a problem. With that call for help, s/he is immediately prompted to take care of his/her part of the world and walk in the integrity of his/her profession when s/he asks:
‘What can I do for you?’ If a minister is a professional, he has to be a professional something. This requires that he identify those points at which his profession is to be practiced. He must make clear what he professes to know, to be able to do, through what institution, under what standards, and to what end…The call to the ministry is a call to undertake responsibility for our part of the earth. It is a calling to care for and elucidate a particular intellectual-spiritual tradition in the world. The community may or may not be favorably disposed to the bearers of that responsibility. But it is our work, our part of the world’s work, that we do as ministers. (pp. 44–5)
Hopefully, this exercise will be a catalyst for further investigation into historic “professionalism” and the development of an eternal “professional awareness.”
It is important that you review the following resources before attempting the “Pastoral Counselor’s Identity and Ethics Project”. This handout and course resources will help you do the following:
1. Identify essential elements of our ministerial fathers’ historical professionalism
2. Describe an ethical framework to follow in your soul care context
3. Identify professional partnerships to support your professional paradigm
4. Construct a pre-counseling package to collect pertinent information and convey a safe professional identity
Kollar (2011, ch. 20) and Johnson & Johnson (2000, ch. 9) present an ethical paradigm to foster professional awareness and style. For future reference, the following resources will also be helpful in developing the reality of “professional awareness and style” in your life and ministry. May your investigation be swift and sure as you prepare to provide an awareness that will welcome counselees into a safe and secure atmosphere.
Web-Engagements (sites last accessed 06/10/2013)
The American Association for Christian Counselors’ website offers many timely features.
· Find a Christian Counselor Near You: http://www.aacc.net/resources/find-a-counselor
· Referral to Psychiatrist? http://www.aacc.net/2013/11/14/when-to-refer-collaborating-with-a-psychiatrist-for-medication-evaluations/
· Blog with Wisdom Strategies: http://www.bcppc.net/blog/
Core Competencies and Qualities of an Effective Pastoral Counselor:
http://enrichmentjournal.ag.org/201003/201003_034_CompCoun.cfm
Brotherhood Mutual: Pastoral Counseling Guidelines http://www.brotherhoodmutual.com/www/?linkservid=D2193E10-2692-4A64-9833C315C4DDA04B&showMeta=2&ext=.pdf
One Pastor’s Counseling Policy: http://enrichmentjournal.ag.org/201003/201003_034_sb_Counsel%20Policy.pdf
Referral: Safeguarding the Integrity of the Counseling Relationship http://enrichmentjournal.ag.org/199803/048_referral.cfm
Larry Crabb: When Does a Pastor Need to Refer a Person to a Counselor or Medical Doctor? http://youtu.be/fxJlevE6g7Y
The Network: When does a Pastor Refer to a Professional Counselor? http://ag.org/wim/1005/1005_when_should.cfm
AACC Code of Ethics:
http://aacc.net/files/AACC%20Code%20of%20Ethics%20-%20Master%20Document.pdf
NAE Code of Ethics for Pastors: http://www.nae.net/images/content/Code_of_Ethics_for_Pastors.pdf
Ethical Guidelines for Congregational Social Workers and Pastors: Get it @ LU
American Association of Pastoral Counselors: http://www.aapc.org/?
The Association for Pastoral Counseling and Supervision: http://www.apc-s.com/
Biblical Counseling and Spiritual Formation Network: http://bcsfn.aacc.net/
Other Sources to Investigate Further
Edwards, T. (2001). Spiritual director spiritual companion: Guide to tending the soul.
Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press.
Glasse, J. D. (1968). Profession: Minister. Nashville: Abingdon Press.
Lebacqz, K., & Driskill, J. D. (2000). Ethics and spiritual care: A guide for pastors,
chaplains, and spiritual directors. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press.
Noyce, Gaylord. (1988). Pastoral ethics: Professional responsibilities of the clergy.
Nashville: Abingdon Press.
Piper, J. (2002). Brothers, we are not professionals: A plea to pastors for radical
ministry. Nashville: Broadman & Holman.
Silver, A. W. (2003). Trustworthy connections: Interpersonal issues in spiritual \
direction. Cambridge, MA: Cowley Publication.
Trull, J. E. & Carter, J. E. (2004). Ministerial ethics: Moral formation for church leaders (2nd ed.). Grand Rapids: Baker Academic. (Original work published 1993)
Pre-Counseling Package Student Sample
Knotty Pine Baptist Church Comment by Dwight Rice: This is a sample created by a student from various sources. It has been edited for clarity but largely remains as the student/author's original work. It is not an authoritative example; use the assignment's instructions and professor's input to satisfactorily meet expectations.
Pre-Session Pastoral Counseling Package
[Please complete and return to our church’s Family Life Ministry office on/or before your initial counseling session. For your convenience, the pre-session package may be returned by email: [email protected] . The information will not be viewed by administrative staff but immediately forwarded to your pastoral counselor.]
Submitted to Dr. Dwight Rice
In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements in PACO 500
Anon Y. Mous
October 27, 2012
PASTORAL COUNSELING INTAKE FORM Comment by Dwight Rice: You may place the 3 required forms in order desired; do not add additional forms to this package. The expectation is to keep it simple and build forms that would actually help you provide efficient and effective soul care in your context. Remember, these forms are only samples...not examples. This sample is the product of one student/author's work in PACO 500 and was chosen as it satisfactorily met assignment expectations.
Name_______________________________________________________Age_________Date__________
Full Address___________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________
Home Phone__________________________Work______________________E-mail______________
Physical History
General Health_________________________________________________________________________
Are you now under a doctor’s care?________If yes, name of doctor_______________________________
Reason for doctor’s care__________________________________________________________________
Are you taking any medication?___________If yes, what kind?___________________________________
Reason for medication___________________________Last medical examination____________________
Have you ever been hospitalized for a physical illness?____Describe_______________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Have you ever been hospitalized for a mental illness?____Describe________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Any recent major illnesses or surgeries?______________________________________________________
Any recurrent or chronic conditions?________________________________________________________
Do you smoke:________Do you take drugs?________If yes, what kind?____________________________
Do you drink?________How much?_________________________________________________________
Any Previous Therapy/Counseling?______If yes, describe, when, where, how long, what for___________
______________________________________________________________________________________
What do you hope to achieve meeting with me through counseling? _______________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Work History
Occupation_____________________________________________ How long?______________________
If presently unemployed, describe the situation________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________
Hobbies/Avocations______________________________________________________________________
Spiritual History
Religious upbringing_____________________________Present Affiliation_________________________
Is this an important part of your life________Please explain: _____________________________________
From your perspective, man’s greatest spiritual need is __________________________________________
Emotional Status
Are you currently experiencing strong emotions? ____If yes, describe______________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Do you make decisions based on your emotions?________How well does that work for you?___________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Did you have what you would consider to be childhood or other traumas?_______If yes, describe________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Have you been treated for emotional disturbances?______If yes, when?_____________________________
Have you had any thoughts of suicide? ____ If so, when? ___________Do you have any thoughts now?
________ Please explain: _________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Present Situation
Please state why you decided to come for counseling: _____________________________________
What is the nature of your situation__________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ What would you like to experience that is different from what you are experiencing now_______________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ How long has this been a problem for you____________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ Please state what you would like to work on in counseling: ______________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________
(Adapted from www.lifehouserestoration.com)
ETHICAL GUIDELINES
1. Counselees will be respected regardless of gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, ethnicity and/or national origin. However, counselees are expected to demonstrate the same level of respect or sessions will be terminated.
2. If this minister determines his inability to offer effective pastoral counseling, he will either avoid initiating the helping relationship or immediately terminate the relationship. A referral may be made at any time if it is determined a counselee’s needs may best be served through a different helping relationship.
3. Credentials of counselor will be made known to counselee at initial counseling session; consequently, no treatments/techniques will be utilized in which the counselor has not been properly trained in. This minister seeks: to do good and to do no harm; continuing education credits and vocational skill development; qualified supervision especially in crisis intervention; professional accountability with peers; working relationships with Christian physicians, psychologists, and psychiatrists; and seeks to maintain awareness of cultural differences.
4. All communication between the counselor and counselee is confidential and will not be disclosed to others, especially family and friends, unless it involves potential harm to human life, violate the law, and/or written consent has been given.
5. The counselor and counselee will not involve themselves in a romantic relationship. To avoid dual relationships, close friends and family members of the counselor will be referred to other counselors.
(adapted from Kollar 2012, 267-72)
INFORMED CONSENT WITH CONFIDENTIALITY COVENANT
I understand that counseling sessions will not exceed six sessions and be approximately 90 minutes in length. I also understand that I may be asked to do certain “homework exercises” such as completing an assessment(s), reading, journaling, praying, changing behavioral patterns, and otherwise acting in my own best interest. I understand that I am entirely responsible for my own actions and I will always make my own final decisions regarding counseling.
I further understand that much of the work done will be to resolve issues and will depend on my honesty, and willingness to do the things I need to do to move forward even if it is painful and difficult.
I understand that note taking and recording keeping will be allowed, but will be held as confidential information and will not be shared or released by the church unless I give my personal consent or I am violating codes of abuse, harm to myself or others.
I understand that if the counselor determines it would be more beneficial for me to be referred to a more specialized caregiver I will be referred accordingly. It is still my choice to follow the recommendation. I also recognize the counselor may terminate sessions at any time due to undisclosed personal reasons.
I understand that whatever I say in a session is strictly confidential and will not be released to anyone without my consent unless I am violating codes of abuse, harm to myself or others.
______________________________________________________(counselee signature and date)
As your pastoral counselor, you honor me in being willing to share your present story. I will not be judgmental but extend grace throughout the helping relationship. I will bring my best to every session or will reschedule if I need to prepare to do so.
I will maintain a hope-filled holistic perspective in our work together as many elements work together in generating health for the whole person. However, you should know that I recognize ultimate wholeness cannot be experienced apart from a flourishing relationship with God through Jesus Christ my Lord.
Therefore, my counseling paradigm operates under the authority of the Word of God and will always be expressed through the love of Christ for you. I am committed to being empathetic, respectful, and authentic in all that we do. I value you as a person made in the image of God. I will do my best to help you see that you are a target of God’s love and care.
______________________________________(counselor’s signature and date)
**** Adapted from www.lifehouserestoration.com
Page 1 of 11
