515. Should Your Pastor Be Your Therapist?

515. Should Your Pastor Be Your Therapist?

From To Be The Church by To Be The Church

April 3, 2026 · 18 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the expectations of church members regarding counseling from pastors and the distinction between pastoral care and professional help.

What should church members expect from their pastors when it comes to counseling? And where is the line between pastoral care and professional help? In this episode, the team discusses the launch of a new Biblical Counseling Ministry and uses it as a springboard to explore the role of pastors in caring for people with both spiritual and mental health needs. They unpack what biblical counseling actually is, how it differs from clinical counseling, and why the local church should play a central role in discipleship and care. The conversation also addresses a key tension: what happens when someone’s needs go beyond what a pastor can realistically provide? How should pastors respond, and how can churches build systems that care for people without placing unrealistic expectations on one leader? Whether you're a pastor, leader, or church member, this episode offers clarity on how counseling, discipleship, and the church’s responsibility all fit together. To ask a question email us at podcast@tobethechurch.com or submit a question on tobethechurch.com Social media @tobethechurch tobethechurch.com

People in this episode

Host: To Be The Church

Topics covered

  • pastoral care
  • counseling
  • mental health
  • discipleship
  • church responsibility

Keywords

  • pastor
  • counseling
  • biblical counseling
  • mental health
  • discipleship
  • church care

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Biblical Counseling Ministry

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