Pastors' struggles, their need for and perceptions on pastoral counseling

Abstract

A qualitative and quantitative study was conducted to determine the struggles of pastors, identify their need for pastoral counseling and perceptions on pastoral counseling to pastors. Data were gathered through some literature, Self-administered Questionnaires and Focus Group Discussion. The analysis of the data was done using a thematic approach. All of the respondents believed that pastors have struggles. Pastors’ struggles are interconnected and they affect their total being. The size of the church also influences pastors’ ministry struggle/s. While pastors have different struggles in some areas of their lives the most common struggle which yield high rating among pastors is finances. In addition, all of the respondents have experienced crisis of different kinds in their lives. Most of them have received counseling in an informal setting with a close friend. However, busy schedules of pastors and lack of trust are reasons they seldom or never submit to counseling. Moreover, the respondents believed that Pastoral Counseling can help pastors become better individuals and ministers. Therefore, they are in favor of pastors who seek counseling. All of the participants also noted that pastors need someone who is trained, skilled and respected individual to confide and have counseling with.