The case of “Nally v. Grace Community Church of the Valley” is viewed as the case that will decide if clergy who practice counselling have protection from malpractice actions. A review of the case is given. The authors argue that pastoral counselling is neither totally religious nor totally secular, & point out that psychiatry should not impose its concepts of practice standards on clergy counsellors, but religious practices should not excuse counsellors from their duty to prevent suicide. (CM)