Book Review: Competent Christian Counseling, Ethical Dilemmas in Church Leadership, Ethics in Counseling & Psychotherapy, Christian Counseling Ethics

Read a comprehensive book review of Competent Christian Counseling, Ethical Dilemmas in Church Leadership, Ethics in Counseling & Psychotherapy, and Christian Counseling Ethics. Gain insights into the strengths and weaknesses of each book and how they can be helpful in the field of counseling and pastoral care.

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Timothy Clinton &, George Ohlschlager, 2002, “Competent Christian Counseling, Volume
One: Foundations and Practice of Compassionate Soul Care.” WaterBrook, 1, no. 1, pp. 1-
832.
Timothy Clinton & George Ohlschlager offer an up-to-date reference guide for
professional pastors under the guidance of the American Association of Christian Counselors in
the book. The book offers knowledge about successful Christian counseling methods based on
spiritual formation and pastoral care of church history and applies psychology and theology to
develop a 21st-century counseling model. The strength of the book is that it makes for an
enjoyable read and provides useful information on Christian Counseling1. However, some of the
chapters in the book are longer and do not carry the necessary content for the counselor when it
approaches the theological roots. It can seem a bit heavier and more academic for those who do
not carry some background information on the subject already. Nevertheless, the book”
Competent Christian Counseling” is indeed enriching and helps to strengthen the spiritual life.
The book can be used to understand Christian counseling, and the knowledge and the biblical
applications given in the book are both interesting and helpful.
Michael R. Milco. 1997, “Ethical Dilemmas in Church Leadership: Case Studies in Biblical
Decision Making.” Kregel Ministry, 1, no. 1, pp. 1-192.
The purpose of the book is to draw attention to social issues like infidelity,
homosexuality, child abuse, AIDS, unexpected pregnancies. The author, Mike Milco discusses
several case studies to illustrate how the pastors and church leaders today have to deal with
sensitive issues in the church and society. The book can help the church leaders to understand the
1 Timothy Clinton &, George Ohlschlager, 2002, “Competent Christian Counseling, Volume One: Foundations and
Practice of Compassionate Soul Care.” WaterBrook, 1, no. 1, pp. 93.

problems and how to deal with crisis situations and ethical dilemmas2 constructively with the
help of biblical principles. The strength of the book lies in the fact that it works as a great
springboard for discussions and conversations on how to make ethical decisions. It is essential
for the pastor of the church to approach the dilemmas sensibly and make truly ethical decisions
in daily life. After all, no church leader can keep himself separated from those difficult social
problems and need to address the issues sensitively and ethically. However, the author fails to
give a direct answer on many subjects and leaves it to the reader to decide.
Elizabeth Reynolds Welfel. 2012, “Ethics in Counseling & Psychotherapy.” Brooks Cole; 5
edition 1, no. 5, pp.1-624.
Dr. Elizabeth Reynolds Welfel, a Professor at Cleveland State University, reflects upon
recent developments in the ethical and legal system of the society in the book. The ten-step
model3 of ethical decision-making works as a guide for dealing effectively with the complex
ethical and legal situations that arise in practice. It can be tough to face those challenging
dilemmas, but the strength of the book lies in fact as to how the author discusses the benefits and
risks of the use of the advancing technology in therapy and the ethical challenges associated.
Another useful aspect of the book is easy to understand language and offers professional
literature on major topics in applied settings. There is a deeper discussion of technology and
ethics in the fifth edition of the book. However, the weakness of the book lies in its approach to
the role of supervision, and although the book covers all of the ethics, it was written before the
new code of ethics was published.
Randolph K. Sanders. 2013, “Christian Counseling Ethics: A Handbook for Psychologists,
2 Michael R. Milco. 1997, “Ethical Dilemmas in Church Leadership: Case Studies in Biblical Decision Making.”
Kregel Ministry, 1, no. 1, pp. 24.
3 Elizabeth Reynolds Welfel. 2012, “Ethics in Counseling & Psychotherapy.” Brooks Cole; 5 edition 1, no. 5, pp.10.

Therapists, and Pastors (Christian Association for Psychological Studies Books) 2nd
Edition.” IVP Academic; 1, no. 2, pp.1- 553
The aim of the book is to work as a guide for dealing with ethical challenges and
dilemmas in psychotherapy and counseling. Psychologist Randolph K. Sanders’ book is a
thoroughly revised edition and is fully updated on the current ethical issues that demand
professional credibility. The book is already a standard guide for Christian pastors, psychologists
and counselors, who explore ethical issues related to multiple relationships, spiritual and value
issues, individual and couples therapy, psychological first aid, counseling with minorities4 and
counseling cross-culturally. The strength of the book is that it is comprehensive, and concisely
written and is indeed a valuable resource for the Christian mental health professionals. The
practical and enjoyable book appreciates biblical views and offers a deep insight into the
counseling industry. The weakness of the text is that there is very little information regarding
racial, economic, or gender oppression and its primary contribution is its defense of counseling
codes of ethics.
Bibliography
4 Therapists, and Pastors (Christian Association for Psychological Studies Books) 2nd Edition.” IVP Academic; 1,
no. 2, pp.251.

Clinton, Timothy & Ohlschlager, George “Competent Christian Counseling, Volume One:
Foundations and Practice of Compassionate Soul Care.” WaterBrook, 1, no. 1 (2002): 1-832.
Milco, Michael R., “Ethical Dilemmas in Church Leadership: Case Studies in Biblical Decision
Making.” Kregel Ministry, 1, no. 1(1997): 1-192.
Sanders, Randolph K. “Christian Counseling Ethics: A Handbook for Psychologists, Therapists
and Pastors (Christian Association for Psychological Studies Books) 2nd Edition.” IVP
Academic; 1, no. 2(2013): 1-553.
Welfel, Elizabeth Reynolds. “Ethics in Counseling & Psychotherapy.” Brooks Cole; 5 edition 1,
no. 5(2012): 1-624.
Biblio” “Title.” Publishing Organization/Web Site Name. http
Foot note: Susan MacDonald, “Language,” College 58, no. 4 (2019): 619.
Biblio: MacDonald, Susan. “Language.” College Composition and Communication 58, no. 4
(2019): 585-625.
N:
Henry Bent, “Professionalization,” Communication 58, no. 4 (2007): 141, accessed October 26,
2019, htt
B:

Bent, Henry "Professionalization.” Composition 58, no4 (2007): 141, accessed October 26, 2019,
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References
Ca, F., 2019, ‘Public’, Journal, Vol. 11, no. 11, pp. 11-11.
Ss, A. 2019, Potamopyrgus, United States Geological Survey, viewed 5 August 2019, htt