What is *The Pastor and Counseling* by Jeremy Pierre about?

*The Pastor and Counseling* provides a biblical framework for pastors to address congregants’ crises like depression, marital conflict, or addiction through gospel-centered counsel. Co-authored by Jeremy Pierre and Deepak Reju, it emphasizes identifying heart motivations, applying Scripture, and fostering Christlike growth over quick fixes. The book outlines a structured five-session counseling process while advocating for a church-wide discipleship culture.

Who should read *The Pastor and Counseling*?

This book is ideal for pastors, church leaders, and seminary students seeking practical tools to navigate counseling scenarios. It also benefits lay counselors or Christians interested in understanding how theology intersects with emotional and relational struggles. Pierre and Reju tailor their guidance for those with limited formal counseling training but a commitment to shepherding souls.

Is *The Pastor and Counseling* worth reading?

With a 9.6/10 rating from reviewers, the book is praised for blending theological depth with actionable steps. It equips readers to address complex issues without relying on secular psychology, making it valuable for churches prioritizing biblical sufficiency. Critics of modern therapeutic models may appreciate its focus on heart transformation over behavior modification.

What are the main counseling principles in *The Pastor and Counseling*?

Pierre and Reju emphasize three core goals: (1) clarifying the problem, (2) demonstrating the gospel’s relevance, and (3) guiding toward Christlike responses. They advocate listening first, diagnosing heart motivations (e.g., fear, idolatry), and speaking truth graciously rather than prescribing rigid solutions. The process prioritizes Scripture’s authority while acknowledging counseling’s relational and time-intensive nature.

How does *The Pastor and Counseling* structure the counseling process?

The authors propose a five-session model: * **Initial meeting**: Assess needs via questionnaires and active listening. * **Problem analysis**: Identify heart-level struggles driving behavior. * **Gospel reframing**: Connect struggles to Christ’s redemptive work. * **Actionable steps**: Develop repentance-based strategies. * **Follow-up**: Ensure lasting change through church community support.

What key quotes define *The Pastor and Counseling*’s approach?

* “Your confidence is not in…counseling technique…but in God’s power to change people”. * “Counseling is…reorienting worship from created things to the Creator”. * “Death to ourselves for the good of others requires getting involved in their troubles”. These highlight the book’s focus on divine empowerment over self-reliance.

How does *The Pastor and Counseling* address common criticisms of biblical counseling?

The book counters claims that biblical counseling oversimplifies mental health by stressing thorough problem assessment and compassionate engagement. While affirming Scripture’s sufficiency, Pierre and Reju avoid dismissing medical interventions when appropriate. Critics seeking integration with psychology may find its exclusion of clinical frameworks limiting.

How does *The Pastor and Counseling* compare to the authors’ other works?

Unlike Pierre’s *When Home Hurts* (focused on domestic abuse) or *The Dynamic Heart* (personal sanctification), this book specifically equips pastors with counseling methodology. It shares Reju’s emphasis on church-based care seen in *Shepherding the Church* but adds session-by-session protocols.

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The Pastor and Counseling

Jeremy Pierre & Deepak Reju

4.33 (904 Reviews)

Leadership

Education

Health

Overview

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FAQs

Pastors: overwhelmed by counseling needs? This practical guide - endorsed as "the best primer for pastoral counseling" by renowned academic Bob Kellemen - equips you to navigate depression, adultery, and suicidal thoughts with biblical wisdom. It's like having two seminary courses in your pocket.

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"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

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"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

1.5K Ratings4.7

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The Pastor and Counseling

Jeremy Pierre & Deepak Reju

4.33 (904 Reviews)

Leadership

Education

Health

Overview

Key Takeaways

Author

FAQs

Explore Your Way of Learning

Quick Summary9min

Feel the book through the author's voice

Deep Dive42min

Turn knowledge into engaging, example-rich insights

Flash Card5 insights

Capture key ideas in a flash for fast learning

Fun20min

Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way

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The Sacred Call to Soul Care

00:00

When a church member whispers, "Pastor, I need help," you're being invited into the darkest corners of human experience. These moments-wrestling with doubt, confronting addiction, navigating marital crisis, facing terminal illness-reveal the true essence of pastoral ministry. While seminary equips pastors to preach and teach, many feel woefully unprepared when facing the raw reality of human suffering that demands more than a well-crafted sermon. The pastor's office becomes a sanctuary where depression, addiction, marital conflict, and grief seek guidance and hope. Good shepherds don't smell good. They carry the scent of sheep, sweat, and sometimes blood. Their faces are streaked with dirt, their backs bent from labor. You'll never meet a good shepherd still fresh by afternoon-nor will you find a faithful pastor with a breezy attitude toward congregational struggles. When the Apostle Peter urged fellow elders to "shepherd the flock of God," he spoke as one intimately acquainted with Christ's sufferings. This ministry transcends public proclamation-it demands personal investment in people's lives, identifying with their weaknesses, speaking to God on their behalf, and speaking to people on God's behalf through gospel proclamation.

The Three-Fold Purpose of Pastoral Counsel

The Method: Listen, Consider, Speak

Building Trust in the First Meeting

The Ongoing Work of Heart Change

Finishing Well and Building a Culture of Care

The Shepherd's Noble Burden

Explore Your Way of Learning

Quick Summary

The Pastor and Counseling Summary in 9 Minutes

Break down key ideas from The Pastor and Counseling into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.

00:00

Flash Card

Top 5 Insights from The Pastor and Counseling in a Nutshell

Distill The Pastor and Counseling into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight key principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.

Fun

The Pastor and Counseling Lessons Told Through 20-Min Stories

Experience The Pastor and Counseling through vivid storytelling that turns innovation lessons into moments you'll remember and apply.

00:00

Personalize

Experience The Pastor and Counseling in your own way.

Ask anything, pick the voice, and co-create insights that truly resonate with you.

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 200,000+ Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 200,000+ Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

1.5K Ratings4.7

Start your learning journey, now

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Key Takeaways

The Sacred Call to Soul Care

The Three-Fold Purpose of Pastoral Counsel

The Method: Listen, Consider, Speak

Building Trust in the First Meeting

The Ongoing Work of Heart Change

Finishing Well and Building a Culture of Care

The Shepherd's Noble Burden

Quick Summary Mode - Read or listen to The Pastor and Counseling Summary in 9 Minutes

Flash Card Mode - Top 5 Insights from The Pastor and Counseling in a Nutshell

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More Like This

Key Takeaways

The Sacred Call to Soul Care

The Three-Fold Purpose of Pastoral Counsel

The Method: Listen, Consider, Speak

Building Trust in the First Meeting

The Ongoing Work of Heart Change

Finishing Well and Building a Culture of Care

The Shepherd's Noble Burden