Exploration of pastoral counselling in Africa : generic qualitative research : a study of pastoral counselling in Africa with Nigeria as a case study

• Main Author: Daramola, Ibidun B.
• Published: University of Aberdeen 2015
• Subjects: 200; Pastoral counseling
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.675563

Although pastors in Africa have received a Western form of theological training, the findings of this research reveal that their mode of counselling does not bear a resemblance to the form of counselling that is practised in the West. The counselling that takes place in Africa takes its cue from the traditional mode of counselling. This indicates the stronger influence of their worldview in spite of the long duration of Western instruction that the pastors receive in the course of their training. This research set out to explore the practice and experience of pastoral counselling within four evangelical churches in Nigeria. It also had the intention of recommending ways of improving the current form of counselling. In order to do that, it needed a basis for comparison. A concept analysis of pastoral counselling from a Western perspective provided the needed reference. The research, located within practical theology as its overarching framework, engaged the Generic Format as its social science research methodology. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and participants observation. A theological reflection of the thesis revealed that there are various practices that are consistent with the Christian tradition but others that tend towards extremes. The research also reveals that counselling in the West is more professional and psychologically-based but has deviated from its original course after the introduction of psychological theories to its counselling ministry. Therefore, both practices in conversation have encouraged each other in the areas of their strengths and challenged each other to revisit their weaknesses in order to enrich their counselling ministries. It has recommended that theological seminaries in Africa should take the lead in enriching their pastoral training curriculum. Also, pastors called into the counselling ministry should be encouraged to develop such ministry while the Church creates the forum for their practices.