Church Affiliation Scheme

Counselling and Pastoral care are very closely, some would say inextricably, linked. Pastoral Care is a much broader area than just counselling. Those involved in Pastoral Care will often come into contact with people who are having or who need counselling. The Association of Christian Counsellors takes the view that in order to fulfil its mandate of being ‘a catalyst for excellence in Christian care and counselling’, it must provide support to Pastoral Carers and the churches in which they operate. Hence the launch of our Church Affiliation Scheme.

As the Government’s Health Professions Council brings counselling under its control and regulates the profession over the next few years, there needs to be a voice for Christian counselling. ACC is that voice. The more support we have the louder that voice will be.

ACC is taking Pastoral Care seriously. Our Pastoral Care Task Force, made up of theologians, academics and ‘at the coal face’ Pastoral Carers made recommendations in 2002 that are now being implemented. Among other things this has led to the setting up of the new Church Affiliation Scheme and to those representing Pastoral Carers being very much involved in the direction of ACC.

As an Affiliated Church you will have the opportunity to participate in the wider Christian Counselling and Pastoral Care Community through receiving our accord magazine and through the possibility of being represented on the Board of ACC. You will also be invited to regional meetings and conferences.

Free individual membership as Pastoral Carers is provided for a number of people depending on subscription category subject to them meeting normal ACC requirements for such membership. These members receive an individual copy of accord magazine.

And there is more to come! We want to serve you and your church. This scheme is continually developing. You can help us by telling us what else you want to see included in the scheme. Please write to us to tell us what would best support your work.

pastoral@acc-uk.org