Christian Counselling

[Wade]

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.

For me these things sounds like an organization, more than how I picture the disciples of Christ.

[steve-in-kville]

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.

In my experience 75%+ of leadership in conservative circles have no business counseling people that struggle with mental health issues. Too many stereotypes, too deep a negative stigma. They simply don't have the training or experience.

[elshaddai77]

Reply to Steve-in-ville

I agree that you have to have proper training and yes some people may be more suited than others. However that is the very reason why were discussing this topic.

As for the organizational part of things that Wade pointed out, as much lawyers and governments are wanting to churches to bend the knee at every turn with certain aspects of the church, if that was always done we wouldn't be serving the Lord anymore but serving the government. If were always worried about what governmental laws we could be breaking to point being over meticulous about it, were not going to counsel people effectively at all. That is one of the main reasons I can't stand mainstream counseling anymore. Its too filled with ridiculous rules that don't best serve the interests of the people needing help. Most of the time from my experience an individual will go and seek help and walk out counseling the same way they started and be headed to no man's land again.

[steve-in-kville]

As for the organizational part of things that Wade pointed out, as much lawyers and governments are wanting to churches to bend the knee at every turn with certain aspects of the church, if that was always done we wouldn't be serving the Lord anymore but serving the government.

Its not about serving the governments or even following laws. Its about liability. Especially when a church has an outreach that brings neighborhood children in.

[Wade]

I wish I had a sermon I heard a few months ago recorded about discipleship. I was expecting it be more about discipleship within the members of the church, but it was better - it pointed to Christ.

I too, have found discipleship or an apprenticeship type relationship/help/counsel with others lacking in Christianity. Fortunately Christ is The Counsellor.

Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Being humbling (especially about ourselves) is a requirement in allowing any counsel to work.

James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

[elshaddai77]

I agree Steve-in-kville, its about liability and we have a liability to Christ to make people, especially children are being nourished and being directed to a whole learning and understanding of the Word of God.

Wade: Yes Christ is the true counselor. I find sometimes however talking to a real person helps me exercise my thoughts and helps me bring a clearer understanding on what I know about something. However the real learning is from Bible study.

[Hats Off]

I wish I had a sermon I heard a few months ago recorded about discipleship. I was expecting it be more about discipleship within the members of the church, but it was better - it pointed to Christ.

I too, have found discipleship or an apprenticeship type relationship/help/counsel with others lacking in Christianity. Fortunately Christ is The Counsellor.

Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Being humbling (especially about ourselves) is a requirement in allowing any counsel to work.

James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

Unfortunately, some people have lost their way, people like my daughter help them find the way back to Jesus.

[Wade]

I wish I had a sermon I heard a few months ago recorded about discipleship. I was expecting it be more about discipleship within the members of the church, but it was better - it pointed to Christ.

I too, have found discipleship or an apprenticeship type relationship/help/counsel with others lacking in Christianity. Fortunately Christ is The Counsellor.

Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Being humbling (especially about ourselves) is a requirement in allowing any counsel to work.

James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

Unfortunately, some people have lost their way, people like my daughter help them find the way back to Jesus.

True. And people have and are helping me. But in the context of having someone to go to for counsel, some of us just don't have Christian family or a biblical church nearby.

I think elshaddai77 and myself are strong supporters of being joined with a local brotherhood - we need balance in trusting Christ most of all because it can be very discouraging at times otherwise.

[elshaddai77]

Yes there are lot of good things and blessing that come from discipleship. And one of the greatest blessings is encouragement and brotherhood. There are many more things though. God did not design his creation to be alone. Genesis 2:18 - 2:25