“Credentials” for pastoral counseling?

Abstract

As long ago as the 1930's various persons approached me to propose some kind of national association of specialists in pastoral counseling. Many other similar proposals, and even attempts, have come to my notice in the intervening years. They have carried many titles, such as pastoral counseling, pastoral psychology, religious counseling, religious therapy, and others. Without exception, they have included in their purposes not only conference and fellowship, study and advancement of knowledge, but also credentials or endorsement or accreditation or a certificate suitable for framing. I am and have always been flatly against any such proposal or organization on grounds of principle. In what follows, I shall t ry to indicate in summary form the bases of my opposition. Perhaps you can invite some others to comment on my analysis. The first point of principle is that we do not in fact have some ministers who are counselors and others who are not. All ministers do counseling whether they call it that or not. Some do it well and others, poorly. Some do much and others, little. If special credentials are offered to an elite group SEWARD HILTNER Professor of Pastoral Theology Federated Theological Faculty University of Chicago