SHOULD PASTORS BE COUNSELORS? Under the title: “The Shingle and The Manse” Mary Vander Goot, professor of psychology at Calvin College, answers this question in the negative in an article in The Reformed Journal for September, 1983. She begins by agreeing that in the broader use of the term counselling, pastors are called to give advice to persons in many situations, and mentions five by way of examples. But in the more technical sense of psychological therapy, she contends that this is not the pastor’s province, and that in attempting to practice such counselling he is exposing himself, his parishioner and congregation to serious hazards. She enlarges on five hazards of pastoral therapy. 1. Therapy is a skill that requires special training and the average minister is woefully unprepared for this work. 2. Almost no pastors have had supervised training in actual clinical work of counselling which cannot be learned just from literature on the subject. 3. Successful therapy often involves close emotional involvement with clients and counsellors are therefore exposed to the dangers of such intimate relationships. “Professional therapists know that working solo is risky” and therefore work with colleagues, while the pastor does not usually have such support. 4. Pastoral counselling is not usually conducted in a professional way, with set hours and fees for services. In this connection the author reminds how often lack of such professional distance leads pastors to fall into compromising relationships with female members of their churches. 5. It is difficult for the pastor to keep the confidentialities inherent in counselling situations. “The therapist pastor is faced with balancing what may be incompatible roles of pastor and therapist. The better he does the one the less well he does the other.” She concludes: “When congregations ask their pastors to serve as counselor-therapists they are making a grave mistake. They endanger those persons who seek counsel by offering someone who is poorly trained. They endanger the pastor by asking him to operate as a counselor under far from desirable conditions. They compromise the congregation as a whole by confusing and diluting the pastor’s effectiveness as dedicated leader of the entire flock .”
THE WORLD OF MARTIN LUTHER is the title of an article in the National Geographic for October, 1983. This year marks the 500th anniversary of the birth of the great reformer, and the event is being celebrated on a grand scale in East Germany. Merle Severy, the author, follows the life of Luther by visiting and describing the towns and cities touched by hi s life, from his birthplace, to Rome, the Wartburg castle and especially Wittenberg, scene of most of his life work. He weaves in a lot of interesting history of the Reformation, its background and effects. His interviews with people ranging from the Pope to present-day peasants in Germany reflect views on what the Reformation means for the Church and society today. As usual in Geographic articles there are many helpful pictures.
IMAGES OF HELL is what Elisabeth Elliott calls a rock ‘n roll TV program she witnessed while staying in a motel. This is an article parents do well to read to be aware of the spirit that animates much of the music young people listen to on TV and radio. Mrs. Elliott well says, “Hell is the place where those whose motto is ‘My will be done’ will finally and forever get what they want” (Christian Herald, October, 1983).
NEW LYRICS FOR THE LANGUAGE OF WORSHIP, an article in Eternity (October, 1983) by Donald P. Hustad addresses the question of how old hymns are being updated to conform to modern sensitivities. He gives examples of some new versions of familiar hymns that have been changed for theological, sociological or political reasons. The changes introduced in many areas in the 1960s, including the influence of Vatican II and the acceptance of many new versions of the Bible, are having effects in the songs used in worship. The use of “You” and “Your” in speaking to God raises problems with the rhymes of hymns using Thee and Thou. He gives examples from Lutheran and British Anglican hymn books recently published. Of more significance is the attempt to eliminate “sexist” language from familiar hymns at the insistence of feminist groups. Hustad discusses this at length. Among other things he says: “I believe it is correct to say that the issue of sexist language relating to persons is more sociological than theological; beyond doubt it is also political.” As to use of pronouns he feels that “In the long run, our hymns should conform to the same style as our Scripture readings and prayers.”
FULLER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. In both Eternity and Christianity Today (1/17/83) there are sixteen page inserts entitled Mission Beyond The Mission, “an approach to the tough issues that face us as a theological Seminary and the entire Christian community.” It distinguishes between the nearer purpose of the Seminary, namely , to train students for Christian ministry, and the further purpose , the mission beyond the mission, to carry out the program of Christian discipleship in all of life. Five points are developed at some length, as commands to which Christians must respond. They are: “Go and make disciples; Call the church of Christ to renewal; Work for the moral health of society; Seek peace and justice in the world; Uphold the truth of God’s revelation.” It is an ambitious program, and the document can well serve as a contemporary confession covering much the same ground as is done by the Contemporary Testimony adopted by our recent Synod.
ORGANIZED CHRISTIAN ACTIVITY IN SAUDI ARABIA HAS CEASED. As reported in a news item in Christianity Today (1/17/83) since King Fahd has taken over Christians have been interrogated, deported and denied all freedoms. In 1977 the Carter administration had persuaded King Khalid to allow some low profile Christian activity. Christians had even been meeting in large groups. However the Islamic revolution in Iran reversed the trend and all ground gained has been lost.
BILLY GRAHAM’S GLOBAL SUCCESSORS is the title of an article in Christian Herald for October, 1983. It is a lively report on the Conference for Itinerant Evangelists held in Amsterdam this past summer. 4000 evangelists from all over the world attended. The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association raised the more than $8,000,000 cost of the Conference, which included travelling expenses for men from third world countries, and furnishing them with supplies and even clothing. A fifteen point statement, “This I Affirm,” was adopted by the Conference. 130 countries were represented.