The faith of pastoral counseling: Power to change

Pastoral counseling is counseling based on a specific faith. As presented in the biblical heritage, this faith is a power to effect change in one's life. Resistance to affirming this power is basically a fear of failure. Yet failure in the scope of this faith is the prelude to victory. Resistance to admitting our defeats is supported by the cultural assumption that one can accomplish anything by will power and hard work. In contrast, the faith of pastoral counseling is based on the Good News of reconciliation with our failures. Faith functions through the faculty of imagination and is stimulated and supported by caring relationships.