What is a pastor?

Still busy typing course descriptions into our new info book, today as part of my never-ending work load, and came across this one for the course Pastoral Counselling:

"Understanding that Pastoring is by definition counselling".

Although it seems to be in direct contrast to some of the other courses being taught our future pastors, whose descriptions are grating against my inner being as I type them, this one made me pull up short and think.

We seem to have boxed pastors into the "preacher and slayer of fires" compartment. I don't think I really see most pastors as counsellors - and perhaps that's a problem I need to correct. They DO tend to run around managing a large group that like to be known as church, and you see very little of the counselling unless you look for it. And yet I remember my dad doing quite a bit - late-night, early morning, 7 days a week, at the member's beck and call.

I guess even preaching could be called counselling - helping folk come to an understanding of God and where they are in relation, aiding in spiritual development etc - if it's a GOOD sermon of course! :)

Just a small sentance in my work-day that sent me off on a different stream of thought.