This is a disheartening story, viewing it from both angels as a parent, and a preacher suicide is never something you want to deal with. Every minister involved in the case, and both of his parents should accept some responsibility for Kenneth Nally’s untimely death. Trull & Carter (2004, p. 155) stated that the counselors neither informed the parents nor tried to get Nally a psychiatrist.” MacArthur, Thomson, Cory and Rea never acknowledged that Kenneth’s situation was outside of their scope or practice, and training. When problems and issues occur beyond our ministerial capability, we as ministers have to set ego, and pride aside, and refer individuals to someone who is more qualified. Furthermore, instead of dealing with Kenneth’s…show more content… All of the ministers counseled Kenneth at some point, but none of them refereed him to a psychiatrist until after he overdosed; which seems unusual. There were signs indicating that he was indeed suicidal. Once Kenneth overdosed, “Thomson recommended Nally to see Dr. Mohline, director of the Rosemead Graduate School of Professional Psychology” (Nally vs. Grace Community Church, 1988, p. 287). In addition, Pastor MacArthur scheduled an appointment with Dr. Parker; which revealed that Kenneth was still at risk for another suicidal attempt (Nally vs. Grace Community Church, 1988, p. 286). Up until this point none of the ministers had referred him to a mental health specialist. The ministers knew Kenneth was struggling with depression, and was having suicidal thoughts. Therefore, it is hard to understand with all the knowledge that they had inquired, why would they not seek help for Kenneth. Not only that when Pastor MacArthur and Pastor Rea went to visit him in the hospital, and he stated that he regretted the fact that he did not succeed in his suicide attempt, why did not share this vital information with the doctors (Nally vs. Grace Community Church, 1988, p. 287). I remember reading in the Code of Ethics, that as long as we tell the counselee that we were notifying the proper authorities, then morally it was okay to disclose information if would jeopardize someone’s
