Date

7-2021

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Chair

Ron Hughes

Keywords

Lay Counseling; Pastoral Counseling

Disciplines

Christianity | Counseling

Abstract

This thesis project is a study on equipping laypeople at C3 Denton in basic pastoral counseling skills. The purpose of this project is to develop and implement a six-week course in lay pastoral counseling that will enable its participants to provide pastoral counseling services to fellow congregants with minor pastoral counseling needs. C3 Denton is a church located in Denton, a rapidly growing city with two universities. Reaching emotionally wounded individuals has been a consistent focus of C3 Denton since it was founded, which lead to a strong need for pastoral counseling services for its congregants. The goal of this thesis project is to equip a group of faithful congregants with basic pastoral counseling skills so that they can assist the pastoral staff in meeting this need for pastoral counseling. This project will involve pre-class interviews to determine the eligibility of its participants, and post-class interviews to determine the success of this project. While this project will only serve to equip its participants to provide lay pastoral counseling services, it may serve as a starting point for the development of a lay counseling ministry at C3 Denton, as well as serving as a framework for other like-minded churches to prepare their congregants to provide lay pastoral counseling services.

Share

COinS