Dear Aspiring Ministers of the Gospel,
It is a profound privilege to address you as you embark on this crucial journey of preparing for a life dedicated to pastoral care and counseling. The landscape of ministry you will navigate is one I can only imagine, a world unfolding deeper into the 21st century. This future demands a robust, biblically sound approach to shepherding souls, making my prayers for your preparation all the more fervent. Inspired by the Apostle Paul’s heartfelt words to the Thessalonians, “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy” (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 NKJV), I am committed to equipping you for this high calling.
My aspiration for this course is that you will graduate with a deeply ingrained, Christ-centered model for Pastoral Care Diagnosis and counseling, firmly rooted in biblical truth and theological understanding. The Spiritual Diagnostic Model, which we will explore, offers a structured six-step framework designed to discern the spiritual pathology within the human soul, guided by Scripture, and to administer divine healing through the means of grace – the Word, Sacraments, and Prayer.
In the realm of pastoral counseling, our practice moves systematically from initial Assessment and Diagnosis to informed Pastoral Treatment. This process often culminates in a tailored “pastoral plan of ministry.” To illustrate this practically, I encourage you to delve into an article I’ve written, which outlines a specific “covenant” for spiritual renewal within a compelling case study concerning addiction. You can access this resource online (with complimentary subscription). Pay particular attention to the covenant itself and how it addresses the presenting issues. In this instance, the addiction appeared to be an attempt to fill spiritual voids, substituting essential virtues and leading to destructive life patterns. By utilizing Scripture and consistent prayer, the aim was to guide the individual towards recognizing these deficiencies as distortions or absences of the “communicable attributes of God.” The subsequent journey involved tangible steps in practicing a renewed life, learning obedience in all aspects the Lord commands, all stemming from the foundation of God’s grace received through Christ.
You might be thinking this is a lot to absorb upfront, perhaps even feeling overwhelmed before we’ve even covered the basic principles. I understand this sentiment. However, throughout our time together, my approach will be to weave in practical elements, real-world examples, in-depth case studies, and valuable resources that will serve you throughout your ministry. Introducing these elements early, even if they require initial research to fully contextualize, is intentional. This process of research and integration is precisely what fosters “deep learning.” Insights gained and applied through such deep learning become firmly rooted, providing lasting sustenance and guidance, much like a warm meal on a cold day.
Dr. Michael Milton, addressing students on the importance of pastoral care diagnosis
Here is the link to the article I mentioned: https://open.substack.com/pub/michaelamilton/p/rooted-in-christ-embracing-a-life?r=1b9wpi&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
May the Lord’s blessing and keeping be upon you as you dedicate yourselves to mastering pastoral care diagnosis and embodying Christ’s love in your future ministries.
In Christ,
Dr. Milton
