1. What should the pastoral counsellor’s role be in working with children with counselling needs?
I believe a pastoral counsellor should create a safe and caring environment where children feel loved, listened to and respected. The counsellor should be patient, protect the child’s confidentiality where appropriate, pray with them, and know when to refer the child to a qualified professional if the situation is beyond their training. Jesus showed how important children are when He said, “Let the little children come to me” (Matthew 19:14).
2. What is one of the ways you have learned about in the content covered that you can begin to use when talking with children at risk?
One important lesson I learned is to listen carefully without judging or interrupting the child. Building trust, speaking in simple language, showing kindness and creating a safe space can help children feel comfortable enough to share what they are going through. Proverbs 20:5 reminds us that “The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.”