Pastoral inquiry of the clergy into dual relationships in the District 3 Full Gospel Church of God: a congregational paradox

Abstract

The study will analyse a number of principles and ethical standards on the clergy of District No.3 Full Gospel Church of God in Southern Africa who offer help to congregants who are in need of therapeutic help other than preaching. In the analysis of ethical issues in a dual relationship, I shall refer to how the therapist (pastoral counsellor) has to relate with their clients. The clergy being their pastor on a Sunday Church service and also serves as their counsellor on Monday morning, in a consulting/counselling room, to the examining of methods utilized and to the moral decision impacted by the clergy’s religious beliefs and position will present factors of competent morality, professional integrity to be adhered to by counselling clergy and the obligation to the congregants. The independence, the knowledge assent, the clients’ welfare, the divulgence of personal knowledge and confidentiality in a remedial context incorporate the pastor’s understanding of the dual relationship and its conflict of interest that might arise within the context of the pastor having to play various roles in the client’s life will be unveiled. The research journey is basically from the perspective of pastors on dual relationships, describing what dual relationship is all about, from the pastors’ perspective. The research design will be qualitative in nature and the methodology employed is narrative. This study’s main objective is to develop an in-depth programme that will assist the clergy to deal with dual relationships. This programme is based on the gap between moral and ethical principles in the personage. The reason for developing the programme is to develop future policies for pastors concerning multiple relationships, to protect both pastors and clients (congregants) alike.