Clergy, Counseling, and Criminal Liability

Pastoral counseling allows clergy to help others in a one-to-one setting. It brings tremendous potential for healing, but also the risk of emotional entanglement. Well-meaning pastors who have entered inappropriate relationships with counselees have jeopardized their families, ministries, and careers. They’ve even gone to jail.

To help counselees without hurting them, the clergy, or the ministry, it’s vital to follow procedures that prevent an inappropriate relationship—and false allegations of it—from developing.

Watch webinar

Duration: Approximately 60 minutes

What will you learn?

• Common attributes of state laws that pertain to counseling
• Potential risks involved with pastoral counseling
• Preventive steps to minimize risk

About the presenter:

Richard Hammar is an attorney and CPA that specializes in legal and tax issues for churches and clergy. He is the author of the annual Church & Clergy Tax Guide and also serves as senior editor of Church Law & Tax Report.

Photo courtesy of Church Law & Tax Report

The information provided in this webinar is intended to be helpful, but it does not constitute legal advice and is not a substitute for the advice from a licensed attorney in your area.

This webinar is presented in partnership with Christianity Today International.