Revisiting the Early History of Pastoral Care and Counseling

Revisiting the Early History of Pastoral Care and Counseling

In 1908, Anton Boisen, known as the founder of the field of pastoral care and counseling, entered Union Theological Seminary in New York at the age of thirty-two. In his autobiography, Out of the Depths(1960), Boisen wrote about his disappointment at the absence of the subject of his interest, the psychology of religion as interpreted by William James at Union that was one of the most forward-looking theological schools in the United States. Boisen wrote, “...it had as yet found little place within the structure of theological education.” In light of Boisen’s words, the current status of the field of pastoral care and counseling is truly remarkable. Pastoral care and counseling have firmly established itself as one of the fields of the theological enterprise not only in the United States but in South Korea as well. This study aims to trace the early developmental history of pastoral care and counseling in the 20th century by discussing the clinical training movement and the major but not scrutinized figures associated with this movement. Although a number of successors have helped to bring the field of pastoral care and counseling to the status it is today, just a few pastoral theologians have been known to Korean readers because there are not many studies that allow Korean readers to explore the early history of the movement. Specifically, it deals with the conflict between the New York Group (the Council for the Clinical Training) and the New England Group (the Institute of Pastoral Care) focusing on the major figures who led each group and their emphasis. Moreover, it explores the contribution of Howard Clinebell to expand the field’s identity from “movement” to “profession.” Also, at this time when the Korean Association for Pastoral Counseling and the Korean Association for Christian Counseling Psychology began to discuss walking together for the future through a joint academic conference in 2022, it is considered meaningful to think about the division and integration of early history of pastoral counseling. It is hoped that this study will help those who are engaged in pastoral care and counseling in Korea to understand the initial interests of pioneers of the field of pastoral care and counseling and enable them to find a way forward.

In 1908, Anton Boisen, known as the founder of the field of pastoral care and counseling, entered Union Theological Seminary in New York at the age of thirty-two. In his autobiography, Out of the Depths(1960), Boisen wrote about his disappointment at the absence of the subject of his interest, the psychology of religion as interpreted by William James at Union that was one of the most forward-looking theological schools in the United States. Boisen wrote, “...it had as yet found little place within the structure of theological education.” In light of Boisen’s words, the current status of the field of pastoral care and counseling is truly remarkable. Pastoral care and counseling have firmly established itself as one of the fields of the theological enterprise not only in the United States but in South Korea as well. This study aims to trace the early developmental history of pastoral care and counseling in the 20th century by discussing the clinical training movement and the major but not scrutinized figures associated with this movement. Although a number of successors have helped to bring the field of pastoral care and counseling to the status it is today, just a few pastoral theologians have been known to Korean readers because there are not many studies that allow Korean readers to explore the early history of the movement. Specifically, it deals with the conflict between the New York Group (the Council for the Clinical Training) and the New England Group (the Institute of Pastoral Care) focusing on the major figures who led each group and their emphasis. Moreover, it explores the contribution of Howard Clinebell to expand the field’s identity from “movement” to “profession.” Also, at this time when the Korean Association for Pastoral Counseling and the Korean Association for Christian Counseling Psychology began to discuss walking together for the future through a joint academic conference in 2022, it is considered meaningful to think about the division and integration of early history of pastoral counseling. It is hoped that this study will help those who are engaged in pastoral care and counseling in Korea to understand the initial interests of pioneers of the field of pastoral care and counseling and enable them to find a way forward.