Pastoral Counseling and Logotherapy - Ministerial Support in the Vale do Itajaí Synod

Rev. Alan S. Schulz

1 - Introduction

This article aims to present the work carried out within the Vale do Itajaí Synod, specifically by ministers. It is important to clarify that in the Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession, we have four ordained ministries (Pastoral, Catechetical, Diaconal, and Missionary). That being said, we can continue to refer to them in general as ministers. Through ministerial conferences held every two months, we discuss the contribution of logotherapy to Christian theology concerning pastoral counseling. We explore the challenges faced by ministers and how logotherapy can assist them in their reflection and counseling processes within their communities.

2 - Logotherapy and Pastoral Counseling

Pastoral counseling, in general terms, is part of the whole priesthood to which every Christian is called to serve. In the Lutheran perspective, every baptized person is called to serve God within and beyond their community. However, when it comes to pastoral counseling, with all the implications it entails,  study and improvement are required. Pastoral counseling, as a pastoral activity, demands a deep commitment to spirituality, responsibility, and the development of trust-based relationships. Notably, this task is often associated with the ordained ministry of the church and is treated with utmost seriousness.

As ministers engage in counseling, they are frequently confronted with a range of complex issues, both personal and related to those seeking guidance, whether they are members of their congregations or not. In this sense, we can assert that the question of life's meaning is at the heart of pastoral counseling, for both the seeker and the one providing the care of souls. Both are involved and must grapple with issues that manifest themselves in various forms, such as family crises, religious dilemmas, financial challenges, behavioral dilemmas, or a diagnosis of a severe illness. The diversity of dilemmas faced by those seeking pastoral counseling is endless. However, in all cases, consciously or not, these "soul pains" are connected to the question of life's meaning. In this context, logotherapy, a psychotherapeutic approach developed by Viktor E. Frankl, offers valuable insights into finding meaning in ministry and providing personal assistance through Christian counseling. Logotherapy is founded on the idea that the pursuit of meaning is one of the primary human motivations. Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor, developed this approach after his traumatic experience in concentration camps, where he witnessed firsthand the crucial importance of life's meaning for human survival. Logotherapy emphasizes that, even in the most adverse circumstances, humans have the capacity to find meaning and purpose. In the realm of pastoral counseling, logotherapy is a powerful tool to help ministers address the emotional, spiritual, and psychological challenges inherent in ministry. How can logotherapy assist in Pastoral Counseling? Let's explore some possible answers:

A) Finding meaning in suffering. Ministers often deal with individuals facing crises, losses, and suffering - the pains of late or liquid modernity. Frankl's logotherapy understands that it is possible to find meaning in life even in the most challenging situations. By helping others seek meaning behind their difficulties, ministers can strengthen their own resilience and maturity, as well as that of their communities, while maintaining a safe and responsible distance in the counseling process.

B) Developing self-reflection. Logotherapy encourages self-reflection, helping ministers understand their own motivations, dilemmas, and personal values. This can be crucial to maintaining authenticity in their ministry and avoiding emotional burnout. Logotherapy can be used to develop support programs for caregivers.

C) Promoting personal responsibility. Logotherapy emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility and freedom of choice. This can help pastors guide their members to take responsibility for their own lives and choices, empowering them to grow emotionally and develop autonomy. Logotherapy reinforces the idea that Pastoral Counseling should not foster dependency.

D) Cultivating spirituality. Logotherapy is not exclusively a secular approach. It recognizes the spiritual dimension of human existence and can be integrated with religious principles. Ministers can use logotherapy to help people deepen their spiritual connection and understand how faith can be a source of meaning.

E) Addressing existential emptiness: Many individuals, including religious leaders, may experience a sense of existential emptiness at some point in their lives. Logotherapy provides tools to explore this void and fill it with deeper and more lasting meaning.

In summary, logotherapy can be a valuable complement to the skills and knowledge of pastors. It not only helps address emotional and psychological issues but also provides a framework for exploring questions of meaning and spirituality, enriching pastoral ministry. By adopting approaches like logotherapy, ministers can become more effective spiritual leaders, capable of guiding their communities toward a more meaningful and satisfying life, finding purpose in serving through Christ's love. As Viktor Frankl argued, the human capacity for love is a significant factor in this endeavor.

"Love is the only way to grasp another human being in the depths of their personality. No one can have full awareness of the ultimate essence of another human being without loving them. Through love, a person becomes capable of seeing the characteristic traits and essential features of their beloved; moreover, they see what is potentially contained within them, that which is not yet, but should be realized. Furthermore, through their love, the one who loves enables the beloved to actualize these potentialities. By making them aware of what they can be and what they should become, the one who loves helps these potentialities to come to fruition." (Frankl, 2008, p. 136).

Pastoral counseling, in turn, is based on the experience and testimony of the Christian faith and its ethical consequences. Logotherapy, as a reference oriented towards the meaning of life, certainly must deal with the phenomenon of faith. Furthermore, "faith is not a diminished thinking of the reality of the thing thought, but an increased thinking of the existence of the one who thinks" (Frankl, 1978, p. 275). For Frankl, faith should not be rigid but firm. After all,

"...those who do not feel firm in their faith cling with both hands to an unchangeable dogma; those who are secure in their faith have their hands free and extend them to their fellow human beings, with whom they are in existential communication." (Frankl, 1978, p. 280)

 

The deepest longing of a human being is not only to look at themselves but to direct their gaze outward to search for meaning. Due to their "pre-reflective ontological self-understanding," they self-realize in proportion to "forgetting themselves" by dedicating themselves to work or another person. Frankl (1993) differentiates the spiritual dimension from religious experience, considering the latter as one of the manifestations of the noetic dimension.

In contemporary discussions, Pastoral Counseling is often related to the term "Poimênica," which originates from the Greek "poimen," meaning shepherd. In its broadest sense, poimênica concerns all forms of pastoral work" (SOARES, 2018, p.13). The specific details of the terms are explained by Howard J. Clinebell as follows:

"Poimênica is the broad and inclusive ministry of healing and mutual growth within a congregation and its community throughout the life cycle. Pastoral counseling, which is a dimension of poimênica, involves the use of a variety of therapeutic methods to help people deal with their problems and crises in a more growth-conducive way, thus experiencing healing from their brokenness" (CLINEBELL, 2011, p.25).

 

However, the multidimensionality of Pastoral Counseling cannot disregard its biblical foundation. The entire process of Pastoral Counseling is established from the Bible, even though the manner of its use requires thoughtful reflection to avoid becoming moralistic, but instead always pointing to liberating principles.

It is not about psychologizing faith, but it is assumed that those who engage in Pastoral Counseling in contemporary times cannot ignore the importance of psychology as a science aimed at understanding modern humans in their complexity.

3 - Logotherapy and Pastoral Counseling with ministers in the Vale do Itajaí Synod

The Vale do Itajaí Synod is one of the 18 geographical regions that together make up the Evangelical Church of Confession in Brazil. The Synod consists of 33 parishes in the Santa Catarina region, in the context of the lower, middle, and upper Itajaí River Valley, which lends its name to the region. The parishes coordinate work in 85 congregations, bringing together about 79,000 people. In this context, there are about 950 non-ordained leaders, 50 people in pastoral ministry, 2 in catechetical ministry, and 1 in diaconal ministry.

There is certainly a great demand for counseling work. The Synod addressed this issue when it included the support of logotherapists in its strategic planning for the accompaniment of ministers and pastors. The methodology used in the development of the Synod's plan sought to involve ordained leaders and ministers in a collective dynamic that we call collaborative tables. The accompaniment of ordained ministers and leaders, as well as the formation of leaders, especially in pastoral counseling, was one of the items that appeared in various discussions. Based on the diagnosis that there is a need to provide training on the topic of Pastoral Counseling and that it is also necessary to offer it to leaders, ministers, and pastors, two conferences on the subject were planned for 2023. In addition to training, it was also the responsibility of the Synodal Pastor to develop a program for the accompaniment of ministers and pastors, with periodic visits, counseling, and referrals to healthcare professionals and therapists when necessary.

Some topics suggested by ministers and pastors on August 10, 2022, in a conference addressing synodal planning include:

• Biblical-theological training and training in human areas (psycho-logotherapy, psychology, anthropology, etc.), so that we can learn for ourselves and also assist people in ministerial work.
• A structure that becomes more accessible for the participation of ministers, pastors, and non-ordained individuals.

 

4 - Results and Future Perspectives

Based on the requested theme, two meetings were organized with ministers and pastors of the Vale do Itajaí Synod. In the first meeting, the theme "Meaning of Life and Community" was studied with Professor and Psychologist Me. Guilherme Falcão. The ministerial conference took place on April 19th at Rodeio 12, the center for training in Rodeio.

From the perspective of logotherapy, which is a psychological approach with a phenomenological, existential, humanistic, and theistic focus, participants reflected on suffering, freedom, ethics, renewal, and transparency as applied to human beings and their conflicts. "People are children of their past, but not slaves to it. They need to be true, not perfect. If the situation is good, enjoy it; if it's not, change it; if you can't change it, change yourself. Celebrating life is part of mental health," emphasized Falcão in his speech. According to Synodal Pastor Alan Schulz, the training of ministers and pastors is a task of the Synod and contributes to pastoral care, aiding in self-awareness and service provided in communities. The theme is included in the Missionary Action Plan of the Vale do Itajaí Synod.

The second meeting with ministers and pastors also took place at the Rodeio 12 Training Center. The conference focused on the practical aspects of Pastoral Counseling in Logotherapy, guided by Professor Me. Guilherme Falcão. The meeting was held on August 10th at the Rodeio 12 Events Center.

The speaker has a background in Psychology and Philosophy and postgraduate studies in Theology and Pastoral Counseling. Using logotherapy, a clinical psychology approach that focuses on the search for meaning, considered the primary motivation for all human beings, Falcão worked with ministers on the practical aspects of counseling in logotherapy. This activity aimed to equip ministers and pastors for their work in pastoral counseling, as logotherapy, as a method that stimulates discussion about the meaning of life based on Viktor Frankl's work, contributes to pastoral activities, counseling, and theological reflection.

5 - Final Considerations and Proposal for Dialogue

Based on these two meetings with the large group, we further addressed the subject in 10 smaller conferences that took place in the five sectors of the Synod. In these conferences, ministers, in groups of approximately 8 to 10 people, were able to evaluate the meetings and the contributions presented by the speaker.

 

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6 - REFERENCES

Clinebeel H. J. Aconselhamento Pastoral. São Leopoldo: Sinodal.

Frankl, V. E. (2008 ). Em busca de sentido: um psicólogo no campo de concentração. Petrópolis: Vozes.

Frankl, V. E. (1978). Fundamentos antropológicos da psicoterapia. Rio de Janeiro: Zahar.

Soares, Esny Cerene (2003). Aconselhamento Pastoral. Teologia/EAD. São Paulo: Potyguara.