Counseling is a vital part of ministry...

...and ministerial counselors provide an essential role to our communities.

Studies show that as many as 80% of people facing difficulties will turn to their pastors for advice and assistance.

However, pastors will discover a complex road that's riddled with danger and pitfalls, if they don't take time to understand the terrain — as well as their limits.

In this all-new CCN series, gain the preventative legal wisdom that will protect your ministry, your people and your church.

According to attorney David Middlebrook, expert in non-profit and religious law, too many pastors and churches are ruined by simple ignorance.

"The exposure is huge and in fact, some of the saddest stories that I can recount to you... are counseling stories. [Pastors] literally didn't understand the rules of the road, and they drove off a cliff."

This month, CCN invites you and your team to take a closer look at the ethical and legal implications of pastoral counseling.

This broadcast will explore the questions:

• What is the difference between professional clinical counseling and pastoral counseling?
• What are the duties and pitfalls of pastoral counseling?
• What are practical ways to reduce risk?

Pastoral counseling doesn't need to be a collision course. Make sure that you stay on the road and avoid the pits!