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The author of this book is Executive Secretary of the Department of Pastoral Services of the Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America and of the Council's Commissions on Religion and Health and Ministry in Institutions. Among other important functions he has served as lecturer on pastoral counseling at Union Theological Seminary, New York, and the Yale University Divinity School. He is therefore well qualified to discuss the applications and values of pastoral counseling.
For the following reasons it is probably the best text to be found in this field at the present time. The author realizes the value of training the theological student in the theoretical and practical issues of mental health; he does not confuse the functions of pastoral counseling with the duties and province of the medically trained psychiatrist, but emphasizes the cooperative spirit and possibilities; and in his methods of relieving tension and anxiety he avoids creating the feeling of guilt on the part of the maladjusted person and attempts to aid the individual in developing his capacities and improving his interpersonal relationships.
The manner of presenting material and problems to ministers and students of theology for purposes of the counseling procedure and the author's evaluation of various situations constitute most interesting sections of the book. The bibliography is excellent, covering 35 pages, but contained in fine print explanatory notes, most of which could well have been incorporated in the text, as is usually the case with footnotes and appendixes which complicate reading.
The book is filled with practical suggestions and contains much information that can be used profitably not only by theologians but by physicians in general and psychiatrists in particular.