When Independent Counselors Do Pastoral Care

In this article, Ed Welch discusses the recent emergence of independent counselors offering pastoral care. Welch argues that biblical counseling is committed to counseling practice as a church based ministry, done by ministers and members, overseen by pastors and elders. Independent counselors are not traditionally overseen by pastors and elders. As such, Welch argues that there are no guidelines for their regulation based on standards of Christian truth, life, and ministry. Welch proposes that a constructive approach to this situation is to view all independent counselors as if they acted as part-time church staff. This opens the door for appropriate due diligence in examining the counseling model and character of those who counsel independently.