Lutheran Seminary

[KagomeShuko]

Do Lutheran pastors have to take pastoral counseling classes when they are in seminary?

 

[Daniel9v9]

I'm not the best person to answer this as I'm not too familiar with LCMS, ELCA and WELS seminaries. However, pastoral care is certainly a part of Lutheran seminary training in general. But in the LCMS for example, as with many church bodies, they also have a specialised pastoral ministry that serves as pastoral counsellors, chaplains, emergency ministers and ministers to the armed forces etc. They specialise in counselling. Now, it's my understanding that their seminary education is not fundamentally different from that of a "regular" pastor, as there's only one pastoral office (and another of a Deacon), albeit with some different practical functions.

I think if you're wondering whether or not Lutheran pastors are qualified to counsel, I don't think you have any reason to worry, as they should be equipped to care for their congregants. However, if it's a more technical question about what the training entails, such as the resources they use etc, I'll leave it to someone more qualified to answer!

 

[Resha Caner]

I am LCMS but I didn't answer because I don't know enough. I could ask an LCMS pastor that question if there is a pressing need to know ... but if there is a pressing need it's probably better for @KagomeShuko to ask the pastors involved in her particular situation.

My general knowledge aligns with @Daniel9v9 - pastors get some basic training as counselors, but they are not typically licensed counselors. Therefore, if there is a situation that calls for professional counseling, the pastor will probably ask the LCMS for special resources or refer the person to a licensed professional.

I will add my personal opinion that even if professional counseling is used, find a counselor who is Christian. Licensing does not guarantee a counselor acquainted with Christianity and the methods of counseling will differ. For example, the LCMS also has pastors trained in exorcism. A secular counselor would never even consider a spiritual element like that.

And that can become an issue. I can briefly share an anecdote I am familiar with where a student was expelled from a public high school with agreement from a counselor because the student mentioned a concern about demons and the situation spiraled out of control. The parents had to employ legal counsel and take action against the school. The school eventually retracted it's actions and the student was restored.

But it can get ugly. The secular world is NOT sympathetic to our spiritual views no matter how much they say they are.