Pastoral Counseling in Africa and the West

<p><em>Pastoral Counseling in Africa and the West</em> is an insightful yet accessible exploration of counseling across cultures. The book helps readers appreciate the diversity of cultural contexts in which pastoral counseling is practiced and offers practical guidance for counseling people from different backgrounds.</p><p>Based on original research it highlights the significant gap between African and Western approaches. In Africa pastoral counseling is shaped by an African worldview that integrates culture prayer spirituality prophecy and deliverance with a strong emphasis on the active presence of the Holy Spirit. In contrast Western pastoral counseling is grounded in professionalism and heavily influenced by psychology which has gradually overshadowed scripture in some practices.</p><p>The book also examines various forms of counseling-such as marital family and premarital counseling-and encourages mutual learning between African and Western practitioners. Ultimately it calls for a balanced approach that values both cultural and theological depth in the ministry of counseling.</p>