THE OPERATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN PASTORAL COUNSELING AND CHAPLAINCY

The operation of the Holy Spirit in pastoral counseling and chaplaincy is a topic that is difficult to quantify. How and where the Holy Spirit moves is often a mystery. This dissertation seeks to understand the movement of the Holy Spirit in pastoral counseling and chaplaincy in the form of a theological and literature review looking into the history of soul care/pastoral counseling and the development of chaplaincy. It also looks at who the Holy Spirit is, how the Spirit operates, and develops a theology of the Holy Spirit within pastoral counseling and chaplaincy with a focus on spiritual gifts. This knowledge lays the foundation for original research through a mixed methodology of qualitative and quantitative research. Seven interviews focusing on the operation of the Holy Spirit in chaplaincy were conducted with chaplains. Ninety-four chaplains from the Assemblies of God also responded to a survey focusing on the operation of the Holy Spirit in pastoral counseling and chaplaincy. The results of these interviews and survey were then analyzed for results and to discover themes. The data were then theorized on to understand possible implications.