Christian Counselling

[elshaddai77]

Solid Christian Counselling. It is something that unfortunately is missing greatly from society these days. Anyone else on here that can relate? I would like to discuss this topic more.

Aaron C

[Wade]

Do you mean discipleship?

Or maybe having elders that we could comfortably go to and communicate with and learn from?

[elshaddai77]

Yes I guess I do mean discipleship. I am just so used to calling it counseling in this day and age. Everything today is so compartmentalized. It's no commonplace to seek counsel from "Elders" but a counselor. But that the way God intends us to have it.

[Hats Off]

Many pastors/elders do not have the necessary gift for good Christian counselling. When we consider the different lists of gifts that are given in the New Testament, why would or should we expect one person to have all the required gifts and capabilities for all tasks? The church consists of many people with various gifts and talents and experiences. When we look at what is often called counselling, people with experience may be better suited at leading a wounded person to healing than a person with only training and the correct theology.

[steve-in-kville]

Our leadership no longer does long-term counseling (like marriage, etc.) but instead outsources it for various legal and insurance reasons. Now for something very specific and short-term, they're available.

[elshaddai77]

Reply to Steve-in-kville

What else do you know about this? I want to know more. It's really too bad they don't do it for legal reasons. You would think that if counseling was done in a private setting and both parties simply agreed that no insurance and legal issues would need to be involved they would go ahead with it.

[Gelassenheit]

Good topic. Very astute parallel between Christian counseling and discipleship. I was burdened Sunday to come up with some scripture on this subject. Here is some of what I was being led to take note of:

Acts 16:2 points out that Timothy was already was well reported of by his fellow brethren before he met Paul. It is likely that he was a follower of Christ but was in further need of a mentor/counselor/someone to disciple him. Paul takes ownership of his discipleship process and Timothy eventually becomes his beloved son in the faith. Notice 2 Timothy 1:2 Notice How Paul identifies Timothy as "my beloved son." He goes on to point out that Timothy's mother and grandmother were also of the faith. It is likely that they instrumental in leading him in the faith, but he needed deeper discipleship.

1 Corinthians 4:15 We may have many teachers but not many fathers who have begotten us in the faith. Never rest when someone begins following Christ as their lord. We need to see them as our own children: pray for them, help nurture their faith as a parent does their own newborn babes. We wouldn't give our children to the world to raise.

2 Timothy 2:2 Paul give Timothy the instruction to pass on what he (Paul) has taught him (Timothy) to faithful men who will teach others also. That is a perspective of 4 generations: 1. Paul, 2. Timothy, 3. Faithful men, 4. others also. We need to imitate Paul and find our Timothy (a Faithful, Accessible, Teachable follower of Christ who we can pour our life into). We need to find a Paul (someone who is wise in the faith and have them pour their life into us). Do it with the objective of getting our Timothy to find faithful men who will teach others also.

[elshaddai77]

Ya this is something I will like to do study more about too. Good points on scripture there about this. Need to do an exhaustive Bible study on this topic.

[steve-in-kville]

Reply to Steve-in-kville

What else do you know about this? I want to know more. It's really too bad they don't do it for legal reasons. You would think that if counseling was done in a private setting and both parties simply agreed that no insurance and legal issues would need to be involved they would go ahead with it.

You have to understand that insurance companies and lawyers rule the world now. Also understand that we have to have background checks if we teach Sunday School or even help with the week of VBS. I have my clearances due to being a public servant (fire/ems).

IIRC, the church pays for 80% of the counseling, the rest falls on the person/couple being counseled. Its not that the church can't afford it, but its so people take it seriously.

[MaxPC]

Many pastors/elders do not have the necessary gift for good Christian counselling. When we consider the different lists of gifts that are given in the New Testament, why would or should we expect one person to have all the required gifts and capabilities for all tasks? The church consists of many people with various gifts and talents and experiences. When we look at what is often called counselling, people with experience may be better suited at leading a wounded person to healing than a person with only training and the correct theology.

This has been our experience in Catholic world as well. We now have Catholic educational institutions that specialize in training in the psychological sciences to meet the needs of our people from a Christian approach and perspective but they pick their candidates carefully in order to bring that healing into the situation.