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Study Reveals Pastors' Reluctance in Counseling Referrals

7/4/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A Lifeway Research study shows pastors lack counseling training and are reluctant to refer members to professionals.
Counseling resources and lay ministries have decreased, with only 27% of churches offering lay counseling today.
Most pastors (72%) refer members to counselors after a few sessions, a decline from previous years.
Larger churches are more likely to have lists of counselors and maintain lay counseling ministries.

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Story summary

A Lifeway Research study shows pastors lack counseling training and are reluctant to refer members to professionals.
Counseling resources and lay ministries have decreased, with only 27% of churches offering lay counseling today.
Most pastors (72%) refer members to counselors after a few sessions, a decline from previous years.
Larger churches are more likely to have lists of counselors and maintain lay counseling ministries.