The following list represents some of the best in the field; these are not highly technical books, but those useful to the busy pastor who has time for only a few. Some are general summaries about types and methodologies of pastoral counseling; others are addressed to specific needs and problems in counseling.
Adams, Jay E., Christian Counselor’s Manual. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1973. An overview of counseling from the nouthetic approach. This book gives good theological perspectives on the counseling process.
Adams, Jay E., Shepherding God’s Flock. Nutley, New Jersey: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, 1974. An excellent exposition of the role of the pastor as a counselor and shepherd of God’s people.
Clinebell, Howard J., Basic Types of Pastoral Counseling. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1966. Currently being revised. Outlines the basic issues facing a pastor who is forced to counsel in a variety of situations.
Clinebell, Howard J., Understanding and Counseling the Alcoholic. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1956. Revised edition. One of the best instructional guides for alcoholic counseling from a Christian perspective.
Collins, Gary R., Christian Counseling: A Comprehensive Guide. Waco, Texas: Word Books, 1980. Addresses 27 basic issues faced by general counselors. This book is perhaps the best Christian counseling overview.
Collins, Gary R., Effective Counseling. Santa Ana, California: Vision House, 1981. Revised edition. Written with pastors in mind, it gives a practical introduction along with suggestions for improving counseling.
Collins, Gary R., Helping People Grow: Practical Approaches to Christian Counseling. Santa Ana, California: Vision House, 1980. A summary of what is happening in the field. Half is written by the author as an overview, and the other half has chapters by Jay Adams, Lawrence Crabb, Howard Clinebell, and other leaders in the field. An excellent introduction.
Collins, Gary R., Hour To Be a People Helper. Santa Ana, California: Vision House, 1976. Useful tool for training others to counsel. Workbook available for group training.
Collins, Gary R., You Can Profit From Stress. Santa Ana, California: Vision House, 1977. Excellent resource on tension and its side effects on mental, physical, and spiritual health.
Conway, Jim, Men in Mid-Life Crisis. Elgin, Illinois: David C. Cook, 1978. Addresses contemporary problems faced by men in the middle years. Written from an honest, practical and biblical approach.
Crabb Lawrence, Basic Disciplines of Biblical Counseling. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1975. Overview of the foundations of pastoral counseling. A challenging book for the counselor for an inward view.
Fairfield, James G.T., When You Don’t Agree. Scottsdale, Pennsylvania: Herald Press, 1977. Guide to help resolve conflicts in marriages, families, and other relationships.
Grounds, Vernon, Emotional Problems and the Gospel. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1976. Biblical perspectives on anxiety, anger, pride, guilt, and mental health.
Hiltner, Seward, Pastoral Counseling. Nashville: Abingdon, 1969. One of the classics in the field.
Jackson, Edgar, When Someone Dies. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1971. Concise work on dealing with death. Short and to the point- it could be used to loan to those who are in the midst of grief due to a death.
Journal of Pastoral Care. This quarterly will contain helpful articles although many are not written from an evangelical perspective. The Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Suite 450, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, 10027. Issues also include book reviews.
Journal of Psychology and Theology. A more technical quarterly, it is an evangelical effort to integrate psychology and theology. Rosemead Graduate School of Professional Psychology, La Mirada, California, 90639.
Lovelace, Richard, Homosexuality and the Church. Old Tappan, New Jersey: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1978. This overview of homosexuality offers biblical and cultural insights to help understand, love, and confront those involved in homosexuality.
MacDonald, Gordon, Magnificent Marriage. Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, 1976. Written with the biblical ideals of marriage in mind, this book is an effective tool for counseling engaged or married couples on what God intends marriage to be.
MacDonald, Gordon, Effective Father, The. Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, 1977. An excellent guide to help fathers understand their God-given role and how to fulfill it.
Minirth, Frank B., Happiness Is a Choice. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1978. A manual on the symptoms, causes, and cures for depression.
Oglesby, William B., Jr., Referral in Pastoral Counseling. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1978. An effective resource for dealing with counseling cases beyond the pastor’s abilities that demand special attention.
Pastoral Psychology. Helpful articles, although theology tends toward liberal style. Human Sciences Press 75 Fifth Avenue, New York, 10011
Perez, Joseph F., Family Counseling Theory and Practice. New York: D. Van Nostrand Company, 1979. Although not written from an evangelical or pastoral perspective, this is perhaps the best book available on family counseling. Brief, and full of illustrations, it offers a concise, accurate overview of other authors’ work in this field.
Seamands, David, Healing for Damaged Emotions. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1981. Study book leader’s guide.
Ward, Waylon O., Bible in Counseling, The. Chicago: Moody Press, 1977. Presents a biblical basis and methodology in counseling. The book’s main strength is its series of Bible studies for counselees to do at home.
Welter, Paul, How To Help a Friend. Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, 1978. An effective tool in training lay persons to care and to assist in the pastoral counseling functions.
Wheat, Ed and Gaye, Intended for Pleasure. Old Tappan, New Jersey: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1977. Of all the recent publications on sex and sexuality, this is the most realistic, medically accurate, and biblically sound in its presentation of sexual fulfillment in marriage.
White, John, Parents in Pain. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1979. Excellent resource for counseling parents who feel they have failed with their children.
Wright, H. Norman, Communication-Key to Your Marriage. Glendale, California; G/L Regal Books, 1974. A helpful tool in marriage counseling. A leader’s guide is available to use this book with groups of couples.
Wright, H. Norman, Pre-Marital Counseling. Chicago. Moody Press, 1977. One of the best on the subject. Gives good presentation of the purposes of and approaches to premarital counseling.
Copyright © 1980 by the author or Christianity Today/Leadership Journal. Click here for reprint information on Leadership Journal.
