Counselling needs of religious persons in full time ministry:a case study of the Methodist Church,Ashanti Region.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to interview ministers of the gospel to ascertain their counselling needs as well as the coping mechanisms implemented to mediate the stressors in their personal and professional lives. There is limited academic research provided through the lens of seasoned clergy which reveals their counselling needs related to sustaining ministry. The design for this study was a descriptive analytical survey. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were employed in this study. The sample of the study consisted of fifty (50) Methodist ministers in the Ashanti Region of Ghana but much interest was on ordained ministers. Simple random sampling procedure was used in the selection of the respondents for the study. It was established from the study that most children of the respondents had bad behaviour due to the lack of quality time with their parents. It was also discovered that most respondents were financially overburdened since they shoulder all the financial responsibilities in their households. Also most of the ministers lack support from their leaders thereby making it incumbent on them to solely ensures the progress of the church. To address the problems of ministers, the researcher recommended the organization of leadership retreats and seminars for ministers and their leaders by Christian Council of Ghana and various denominations. Again, the establishment of counselling and placement centers for ministers and their families was recommended. Finally, ministers' spouses who are not in gainful employment need to be equipped with vocational skills and business activities by their spouses with the help of the church to keep them busy always.