Crisis Counseling and the Lutheran Pastor and Congregation

Abstract

Crisis is an unavoidable part of life in a world damaged by sin. A pastor and congregation must be prepared to help fellow believers through crises. This thesis will first seek to explain the factors that lead up to a crisis in a person’s life, as well as identifying some of the symptoms of a person experiencing crisis. Second, it will distinguish between the roles of a professional clinical counselor and an unprofessional helper. It will outline several crisis counseling issues of which a non-professional counselor should be aware, with a special focus on transference and countertransference. It will also identify key mistakes many well-meaning helpers make. Finally, it will explore the role of the church when a member is in crisis, first from the perspective of a congregation which would make crisis counseling an intentional ministry, second from the perspective of congregational culture.