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The Pastor as Counselor: The Call for Soul Care
David Powlison Examines the Unique Role of the Pastor as Counselor
A pastor inhabits multiple roles--teacher, preacher, youth leader, and counselor. Yet many church leaders feel unprepared to counsel church members who are struggling with difficult, multifaceted problems.
David Powlison reminds pastors of their unique role as the shepherds of God's people, equipping them to apply biblical wisdom to the thoughts, values, moods, expectations, and decisions of those under their care.
A pastor inhabits multiple roles--teacher, preacher, youth leader, and counselor. Yet many church leaders feel unprepared to counsel church members who are struggling with difficult, multifaceted problems.
David Powlison reminds pastors of their unique role as the shepherds of God's people, equipping them to apply biblical wisdom to the thoughts, values, moods, expectations, and decisions of those under their care.
80 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 2021
39 people are currently reading
464 people want to read
About the author
David A. Powlison
144 books221 followersDavid Powlison, MDiv, PhD, (1949–2019) was a teacher, counselor, and the executive director of the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF). He wrote many books and minibooks, including Speaking Truth in Love, Seeing with New Eyes, Good and Angry, Making All Things New, God's Grace in Your Suffering, Safe and Sound, and Take Heart. David was also the editor of The Journal of Biblical Counseling.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
September 26, 2021
Excelente!
June 26, 2021
Posthumous publications are a mixture of pure joy and sorrow. Joy superabounds when a favorite writer is “resurrected” and an unpublished manuscript sees the light of day. Sorrow rears its ugly head because the realization of that this writer will never write again sinks in.
The Pastor as Counselor by David Powlison is a vivid reminder of the impact he had on the church and the world. Powlison was a rare blend of scholar and shepherd; a man who possessed a stunning intellect but carried himself with godly humility. His posthumous publication is a testimony to his character, pastoral heart, and love for God.
The Pastor as Counselor is warm and hard-hitting. It will motivate and encourage some; it will rebuke anyone who fails to take pastoral counseling seriously. Powlison had a way of telling the truth and applying biblical principles in a penetrating and gracious way. This work is no exception.
In my mind, one sentence summarizes the book: “As a pastor, you understand that every person you meet today needs to awaken, to turn, to trust, to grow, and to love God and others. Everyone needs counseling every day.” One might say that this sentence is a beautiful summary of what drove Dr. Powlison in his earthly life.
My hope is that many readers take heart and receive the God-centered counsel of David Powlison. The result will only help, strengthen, and encourage individuals and churches. Dr. Powlison left a legacy and an example for Christians to emulate in the day ahead. To God alone be the glory!
The Pastor as Counselor by David Powlison is a vivid reminder of the impact he had on the church and the world. Powlison was a rare blend of scholar and shepherd; a man who possessed a stunning intellect but carried himself with godly humility. His posthumous publication is a testimony to his character, pastoral heart, and love for God.
The Pastor as Counselor is warm and hard-hitting. It will motivate and encourage some; it will rebuke anyone who fails to take pastoral counseling seriously. Powlison had a way of telling the truth and applying biblical principles in a penetrating and gracious way. This work is no exception.
In my mind, one sentence summarizes the book: “As a pastor, you understand that every person you meet today needs to awaken, to turn, to trust, to grow, and to love God and others. Everyone needs counseling every day.” One might say that this sentence is a beautiful summary of what drove Dr. Powlison in his earthly life.
My hope is that many readers take heart and receive the God-centered counsel of David Powlison. The result will only help, strengthen, and encourage individuals and churches. Dr. Powlison left a legacy and an example for Christians to emulate in the day ahead. To God alone be the glory!
April 18, 2024
Very brief, very helpful. Powlison lends his tenured insight into a little monograph that aims to remind pastors of several truths surrounding the topic of counseling as a Christian and minister. He compares the incredible calling of the pastor and counseling that goes hand in hand, and lifts it up in comparison to the world we live in today of professional psychiatry and therapy. None of the secular sources operate from the well of the gospel of Jesus Christ and as a result the pastor (and any Christian) has a glorious privilege of turning to the Redeemer who is in the business of changing hearts and minds.
July 3, 2021
Classic David Powlison, full of wisdom and grace in helping sinners and sufferers.
November 14, 2025
It is rare to discover a book by a favorite author that you’ve never read before. Somehow I missed this gem of a book. My only complaint is that I wish it was longer, and that David Powlison had had more time to continue writing before the Lord called him home. But this is an outstanding little volume that will serve every pastor.
Reread in Nov 2025: so good. Even more underlining this time....
Reread in Nov 2025: so good. Even more underlining this time....
June 6, 2021
“A dark disease deranges our character, identity, emotions, thoughts, behaviors, and relationships. A bright Savior sets about curing such souls.”
September 11, 2025
Wonderful book for its brevity and passion. Powlison writes into a pastoral context where the majority of counseling is offloaded to “professionals” who operate with a worldview divorced from Christ, and he writes so with fire in his bones. He has some sharp critiques for the industry that has monopolized their version of “secular pastoral care.”
He insists often that the pastor is both called and competent to counsel. Called, as it falls under the umbrella of “the ministry of the Word.” Competent, as the pastor has a unique window into the lives of his flock with a unique message in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The pastor is the “physician’s assistant,” not the Great Physician; however, Christ works in and through the pastor to care for souls.
Buy the book. Read it in a sitting. Pastor your people.
He insists often that the pastor is both called and competent to counsel. Called, as it falls under the umbrella of “the ministry of the Word.” Competent, as the pastor has a unique window into the lives of his flock with a unique message in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The pastor is the “physician’s assistant,” not the Great Physician; however, Christ works in and through the pastor to care for souls.
Buy the book. Read it in a sitting. Pastor your people.
August 10, 2025
Can be read in one sitting, and is this limited in scope. But it’s worth reading slowly and deliberately. Powlison’s writing is always rich and clear, even if densely packed.
January 25, 2022
Stirring call for pastors to counsel and a wonderful encouragement about the uniqueness of that call.
September 18, 2024
I’ll never be a pastor, but this was an encouraging and helpfully challenging read.
January 10, 2025
Pound for pound // page for page — one of the best books on pastoring I’ve ever read.
November 11, 2025
A small book with a big message! Every pastor should read this book and hear Powlison’s argument on why you are uniquely fitted for biblical counseling.
May 2, 2022
What a great little book! I’m not a pastor, but we’re all called to counsel one another. I plan to apply many things from these pages. Pastors and intentional church members should pick this up.
One great quote from his section on the unique skill of counseling: “People are not served when the Christian life is portrayed as if some easy answer will do—a pet doctrine, religious strategy, involvement in a program, spiritual experience—and presto!—case solved… A pastors work is the art of arts” (33)
One great quote from his section on the unique skill of counseling: “People are not served when the Christian life is portrayed as if some easy answer will do—a pet doctrine, religious strategy, involvement in a program, spiritual experience—and presto!—case solved… A pastors work is the art of arts” (33)
May 19, 2021
This is a very short work that is less a theology and more a pastoral exhortation. It feels like reading an older mentors words and encouragement for the purpose of pastoral counseling. The main thrust of the work is that pastors are meant and already do play a role as counselor. Because the book is short thahat is all the book is focused on.
Definitely read this if you have felt like counseling people is beyond your capacity as a pastor, or if you have ever wondered why you should both. I felt encouraged reading it and will return it in the future.
Don't read this if you are looking to be equipped as a counselor. This may encourage you, but it does not focused on methods. Also be aware that this is a very short work (80ish) pages. It is not long, but it is worth the read. It is also from a heavy Biblical counseling perspective. If you prefer a more integrative, or other counseling approach, then this also may not be for you.
Definitely read this if you have felt like counseling people is beyond your capacity as a pastor, or if you have ever wondered why you should both. I felt encouraged reading it and will return it in the future.
Don't read this if you are looking to be equipped as a counselor. This may encourage you, but it does not focused on methods. Also be aware that this is a very short work (80ish) pages. It is not long, but it is worth the read. It is also from a heavy Biblical counseling perspective. If you prefer a more integrative, or other counseling approach, then this also may not be for you.
February 10, 2022
Short, shot in the Arm
While not extensive, Powlison's, "The Pastor as Counselor," didn't need to be. In all likelihood, a pastor trying to exercise his office such that he would pick up a book like this doesn't have a lot of time for extended works, so this little booklet is a good B-12 shot in the heart reminder to what pastors are and what we're called to do: counsel. It's worth the thirty minutes or so, for your sake and your people's.
While not extensive, Powlison's, "The Pastor as Counselor," didn't need to be. In all likelihood, a pastor trying to exercise his office such that he would pick up a book like this doesn't have a lot of time for extended works, so this little booklet is a good B-12 shot in the heart reminder to what pastors are and what we're called to do: counsel. It's worth the thirty minutes or so, for your sake and your people's.
June 27, 2021
Powlison is always a gift to read. What encouraging and motivating words here for pastors to take in.
March 20, 2025
This brief book helpfully argues that every pastor is a counselor. He has unique responsibilities and opportunities to personally care for people’s souls, not only in his church but all the time. Much agreement there!
However, while I already agreed with that, I didn’t find his actual biblical arguments very compelling. In other words, I don’t think they’d convince someone who was skeptical.
But the bigger issue, in my opinion, is his lack of nuance regarding secular therapist and counselors. He mostly relies upon straw-man arguments and generalizations. And he doesn’t address whether or not he thinks there’s a place for licensed professionals to help people even with severe medical diagnoses; it’s all criticism. I found that unhelpful.
I still don’t really know where I stand in the biblical counseling conversation. I’m fairly skeptical of the secular psychotherapeutic project, but I’m also not on board with what David Powlison is doing here.
However, while I already agreed with that, I didn’t find his actual biblical arguments very compelling. In other words, I don’t think they’d convince someone who was skeptical.
But the bigger issue, in my opinion, is his lack of nuance regarding secular therapist and counselors. He mostly relies upon straw-man arguments and generalizations. And he doesn’t address whether or not he thinks there’s a place for licensed professionals to help people even with severe medical diagnoses; it’s all criticism. I found that unhelpful.
I still don’t really know where I stand in the biblical counseling conversation. I’m fairly skeptical of the secular psychotherapeutic project, but I’m also not on board with what David Powlison is doing here.
June 28, 2025
Slightly larger than a pamphlet, this was a gem and not just for pastors. While nuanced specifically for those in pastoral roles within the church, Powlison’s wisdom can be applied to everyone in formal and informal ministry (aka the entire church). The sooner we realize we’re always conversationally counseling, the sooner we can seek to have that counsel fueled, informed, and shaped by Scripture.
December 13, 2021
This book provides a thorough understanding that for pastors to shepherd the flock, they are to also counsel those in their congregation. This book isn’t a “how to,” rather it focuses on bringing to mind the realities that pastors are called to counsel and care for the souls of the people that in their congregation. A great primer.
December 26, 2022
What a sweet book! Powlison shows his pastoral heart in this book as he pleads with pastors to be counselors in their churches. And as he does it he gives us encouragement to counsel well! I really really liked this book. Pastors this book is one book you need to read. Highly recommended
November 16, 2024
Very short and very applicable to ministry. Nothing mind-blowing, but very solid, helpful, and encouraging. I love how he consistently contrasts secular counseling to the opportunity, message, and responsibility of the pastor.
August 25, 2022
Makes a case for counseling work as pastoral work - that ministering the word in a private setting is simply an application of the call to shepherd, which is often thought of strictly as ministering the Word in a public setting. Persuasive and door-opening introduction to this kind of thinking.
July 5, 2024
Simple and effective. Can be read in an hour.
The pastor must counsel. The Christian must seek the pastor’s counsel.
The pastor must counsel. The Christian must seek the pastor’s counsel.
January 1, 2024
An excellent short resource. This is less about HOW a pastor can counsel, and more about WHY a pastor should counsel. It is certainly encouraging to pastors (like me) who sometimes feel a bit unprepared and under qualified to counsel others.
September 18, 2023
David Powlison was a gift. Read everything he wrote.
July 19, 2021
In this posthumously published monograph, David Powlison makes a short but loaded argument for the necessary connection between the role of pastor and counsellor and the unique shape that counselling takes within pastoral ministry. I am thankful for the copy I received of The Pastor as Counselor through the Crossway Blog Review Program.
Powlison’s claim is simple: whether you acknowledge it or not, as a pastor, you are a counsellor—perhaps a poor one, but a counsellor nonetheless. The short introduction makes this point clear: the question is not whether you will counsel your flock but whether you will do so thoughtfully or not. The church is, ideally, “a community in which substantial conversations predominate”; the pastor’s calling is a particular role within this broader ministry (16). The Pastor as Counsellor only has two chapters (plus an appendix containing resources for further reading). The first chapter looks at “the word counseling within a pastoral frame of reference,” the second unpacks “a few of the distinctives that make a pastor’s counselling so unique” (16).
To unpack “counselling” in reference to the pastor’s work, Powlison juxtaposes it with the general “psychotherapeutic” view of counselling. He views both works as attempting to address the same task, care of souls facing the troubles of a broken world. However, both take opposing approaches to the task. Because of the long history of Pastoral soul care, Powlison does not argue that Pastoral counsellors do secular counselling work, but that “both ‘psycho-therapy’ and ‘psych-iatyr’ attempt pastoral work,” which Freud acknowledged when he defined therapists as “secular pastoral workers” (19). In the pastoral frame of reference, counselling is redefined: “a pastor needs a very different vision [from psychotherapy] for what counselling is and can be” (21). In sum, “Real ministry engages the same personal and interpersonal problems that the psychotherapies address—but more deeply” (24). In chapter 2, Powlison then seeks to put some skin on his vision for counselling as pastoral work, looking at the unique “responsibility, opportunity, method, message, and context” of the Pastoral counsellor (27). This chapter is, again, loaded with tightly packed insight.
Powlison says much in 60 pages; it is worth reading and re-reading. I think Powlison is correct in identifying this key aspect of pastoral ministry and outlining its contours. I would want to add that as appropriated within a broader Christian understanding of the human condition, some elements of secular psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behaviour therapy, neuropsychology, and psychiatric medicine, can be helpful, but Powlison is absolutely right to recognize that they are pale imitations of Pastoral counselling and fail when they try to replace it.
Powlison’s claim is simple: whether you acknowledge it or not, as a pastor, you are a counsellor—perhaps a poor one, but a counsellor nonetheless. The short introduction makes this point clear: the question is not whether you will counsel your flock but whether you will do so thoughtfully or not. The church is, ideally, “a community in which substantial conversations predominate”; the pastor’s calling is a particular role within this broader ministry (16). The Pastor as Counsellor only has two chapters (plus an appendix containing resources for further reading). The first chapter looks at “the word counseling within a pastoral frame of reference,” the second unpacks “a few of the distinctives that make a pastor’s counselling so unique” (16).
To unpack “counselling” in reference to the pastor’s work, Powlison juxtaposes it with the general “psychotherapeutic” view of counselling. He views both works as attempting to address the same task, care of souls facing the troubles of a broken world. However, both take opposing approaches to the task. Because of the long history of Pastoral soul care, Powlison does not argue that Pastoral counsellors do secular counselling work, but that “both ‘psycho-therapy’ and ‘psych-iatyr’ attempt pastoral work,” which Freud acknowledged when he defined therapists as “secular pastoral workers” (19). In the pastoral frame of reference, counselling is redefined: “a pastor needs a very different vision [from psychotherapy] for what counselling is and can be” (21). In sum, “Real ministry engages the same personal and interpersonal problems that the psychotherapies address—but more deeply” (24). In chapter 2, Powlison then seeks to put some skin on his vision for counselling as pastoral work, looking at the unique “responsibility, opportunity, method, message, and context” of the Pastoral counsellor (27). This chapter is, again, loaded with tightly packed insight.
Powlison says much in 60 pages; it is worth reading and re-reading. I think Powlison is correct in identifying this key aspect of pastoral ministry and outlining its contours. I would want to add that as appropriated within a broader Christian understanding of the human condition, some elements of secular psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behaviour therapy, neuropsychology, and psychiatric medicine, can be helpful, but Powlison is absolutely right to recognize that they are pale imitations of Pastoral counselling and fail when they try to replace it.
August 18, 2021
The Pastor as Counselor is the final offering from the life of David Powlison. It might end up being the best starting place for those in ministry into the methodology and heart of biblical counseling.
Powlison begins with these words, “Pastor, you are a counselor.” Powlison suggests what biblical counseling isn’t. It isn’t moralizing, offering pietistic aphorisms, nor theological abstractions, nor pat answers and pet truths. In biblical counseling we offer neither too much more too little of ourselves.
Powlison considers how psychotherapeutic faith has undermined biblical counseling. “Psychotherapeutic faith roots in ‘the assumption that in every human being there is a core selfhood that if allowed free and unconflicted expression would provide the basis for creative, adaptive, and productive living.” This is a medical model of counseling.
In contradiction to this, Powlison suggests that counseling at its core “is pastoring. It is discipling.” “The greatest psychological insight, ability and experience cannot grasp this one thing: what sin is.”
Powlison says that a pastor has unique opportunity compared to a counselor to minister to those in his care. For instance, a counselor can pursue people, engage in critical situations, counsel both the struggling and the strong, rich and poor, have a built-in base of trust.
The Pastor as Counselor is sure to have you wanting more. It isn’t an expansive introduction to biblical counseling. But what it accomplishes is significant. Every pastor would do well to pick it up and be encouraged. I hope you do so.
For more reviews see www.thebeehive.live.
Powlison begins with these words, “Pastor, you are a counselor.” Powlison suggests what biblical counseling isn’t. It isn’t moralizing, offering pietistic aphorisms, nor theological abstractions, nor pat answers and pet truths. In biblical counseling we offer neither too much more too little of ourselves.
Powlison considers how psychotherapeutic faith has undermined biblical counseling. “Psychotherapeutic faith roots in ‘the assumption that in every human being there is a core selfhood that if allowed free and unconflicted expression would provide the basis for creative, adaptive, and productive living.” This is a medical model of counseling.
In contradiction to this, Powlison suggests that counseling at its core “is pastoring. It is discipling.” “The greatest psychological insight, ability and experience cannot grasp this one thing: what sin is.”
Powlison says that a pastor has unique opportunity compared to a counselor to minister to those in his care. For instance, a counselor can pursue people, engage in critical situations, counsel both the struggling and the strong, rich and poor, have a built-in base of trust.
The Pastor as Counselor is sure to have you wanting more. It isn’t an expansive introduction to biblical counseling. But what it accomplishes is significant. Every pastor would do well to pick it up and be encouraged. I hope you do so.
For more reviews see www.thebeehive.live.
October 9, 2021
This is an area that is tricky for me. I find pastoral counseling hard, especially after seasons of disappointment and discouraging results. But then I stumbled on “The Pastor as Counselor: The Call for Soul Care” by David Powlison and was encouraged, at the least, to reassess what I do and why. It’s a teeny little booklet some 76 pages all told, in softback. Written in the typical Powlison style of thoughtfulness, understanding, and challenge, it’s ideal for every minister, whether newbie or well seasoned.
The premise of the book is very simple. Pastors fulfilling their commission of prayer and the ministry of the Word (Acts 6:4) are to spend time counseling, administering the Word in more one-to-one situations. In fact, ministers do this informally all the time. But we need to do this with clearer intention. “The whole nature of ministry is to “impose” light into darkness, to induce sanity, to form Christ’s life-nourishing values within us” (22). And the author gently encourages - fills with renewed courage - the disillusioned and disappointed all the way through the book. “God uses your ministry to cure (care for-MWP) souls. Human beings are idiosyncratic in every detail, yet there is no temptation that is not common to all; you can comfort others in any affliction with the comfort that you receive in your particular affliction” (34).
This little manual will bring you to rethink why you should counsel and what you are about in pastoral ministry. “In the presence of a psychiatrist I can only be a sick man; in the presence of a Christian brother I can dare to be a sinner” (35). Realigning our ministry helps our churches to “become a community in which substantial conversations predominate” (16). Written primarily for pastors, I think it would also be useful for congregational elders of all stripes. I highly recommend the book.
The premise of the book is very simple. Pastors fulfilling their commission of prayer and the ministry of the Word (Acts 6:4) are to spend time counseling, administering the Word in more one-to-one situations. In fact, ministers do this informally all the time. But we need to do this with clearer intention. “The whole nature of ministry is to “impose” light into darkness, to induce sanity, to form Christ’s life-nourishing values within us” (22). And the author gently encourages - fills with renewed courage - the disillusioned and disappointed all the way through the book. “God uses your ministry to cure (care for-MWP) souls. Human beings are idiosyncratic in every detail, yet there is no temptation that is not common to all; you can comfort others in any affliction with the comfort that you receive in your particular affliction” (34).
This little manual will bring you to rethink why you should counsel and what you are about in pastoral ministry. “In the presence of a psychiatrist I can only be a sick man; in the presence of a Christian brother I can dare to be a sinner” (35). Realigning our ministry helps our churches to “become a community in which substantial conversations predominate” (16). Written primarily for pastors, I think it would also be useful for congregational elders of all stripes. I highly recommend the book.
April 14, 2023
This is a great read. The book is short yet extensive. I liked how the author makes every effort to explain how and in what ways a pastor has an advantage over professional counsellors.
Also I liked the reminder that a pastor must give the message of the gospel to the counselled, not just pat answeres and scripture verses.
The book ends with a list of recommended articles, books on the topic and other resources.
Highly recommended to All Christians who take the call to counselling seriously!
Also I liked the reminder that a pastor must give the message of the gospel to the counselled, not just pat answeres and scripture verses.
The book ends with a list of recommended articles, books on the topic and other resources.
Highly recommended to All Christians who take the call to counselling seriously!
January 27, 2022
Powlison gold. Concise, memorable, inspiring. Authors like this saved the BC movement for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews