efront in their discussions of Christian counseling because it is only in this way that the pastoral counselor can be seen as singular with respect to the purposes and practice of counseling.
Power (1990) has also stated that the one unique element associated with pastoral counseling is that the pastor has two professional roles, these being the theological and the psychological roles. Power notes that these roles, necessarily, pit the pastor between the humanistic values of the therapeutic community and the theological values of the religious community.
Discussing another aspect of pastoral counseling, Bufford and Buckler (1987) have addressed the notion of the pastor's counseling relationship to his flock. Specifically, the authors have reported that part of the pastoral role is, at minimum, to provide counseling to the congregation. Moreover, the authors state that providing counseling beyond the specific church congregation to whom the pastor ministers, is part of the general Church Mission to the needy, and therefore the pastor needs to also consider the possibility of extending his counseling ministry beyond the scope of his church.
Of the Church Mission to the needy in general, Bufford and Buckler (1987) noted that:
In the primary prevention of mental disabilities, the church acts as an effective and meaningful support based on its religious belief and practice. The church's role. . .rests in its ability to comfort, counsel, and education. . .(p.21)
The distinct position or difference between Christian (Pastoral) counseling and secular counseling has been succinctly discussed by Strong (1973). Specifically, Strong has noted three differences between pastoral and secular counseling. The first difference between secular and Christian counselors centers around worthiness. To the secular counselor, people are viewed as worthy simply because they exist.
To the Christian counselor, on the other hand, people...