By virtue of their similarities in professional training, competence and activities, as well as their differentness from both clergy in general and other pastoral specialists, pastoral counselors have emerged as an identifiable professional group. Some of the implications which this kind of professionalization may have for the relation between pastoral counseling and the Church at large are examined, especially the low status of the parish as a work setting for professional pastoral counselors. A call is made for pastoral counseling to redefine its relationship to the parish in ways which reflect professional rather than political concerns.