Preview

Comparative analysis of prayer and pastoral counseling

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
2397 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Comparative analysis of prayer and pastoral counseling
In reading Pray without Ceasing, van Deusen Hunsinger believes that one of the key essentials to the personhood of pastoral caregiver is koinonia. When we dedicate ourselves to a Christian life, koinonia is the essential element of our Christianity, because it combines our fellowship, community and communion with God and with others. van Deusen Hunsinger states the koinonia is the telos as well as the indispensable means of all true pastoral care. (van Deusen Hunsinger, p1)
If we are experiencing koinonia in our spiritual life, koinonia will be made up of the multidimensional element that encompasses not only the vertical dimension (our relationship with God), but also the horizontal dimension (our relationship with each other). It starts with ourselves and opening the communication line with God through our prayer life. As we begin to experience the fellowship, community and communion with God, we develop that vertical dimension. Our living out the vertical dimension is witness by others around us. It is at this point we begin to realize the horizontal dimension of fellowship, community and communion with others is established. (van Deusen Hunsinger, p9)
When the vertical and the horizontal have been established, we achieve a common ground based on humbling ourselves before God and others. In this setting trust and fellowship are established, and ministering and pastoral care between one another can begin.
In reading Pastoral Counseling The Basics, Dittes believes that one of the essentials to the personhood of the pastoral caregiver is koinonia as well. Dittes is more subtle in his approach to koinonia, than van Deusen Hunsinger. Dittes states that “The pastoral counselor does not pretend to possess godlike powers but is a humble servant”. (Dittes, p89)
The multidimensional element of our relationships with God and others is essential to Dittes as well. Dittes also suggests that as we enter into a relationship with others, we enter that

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Best Essays

    A paper submitted to Dr. Massey in partial fulfillment of the requirements for EVAN 525, Contemporary Evangelism…

    • 4061 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Good Essays

    The text’s language forces readers to see the usually glossed over good work that comes from this religious group. It’s effective because it highlights the work that Dr. Foster has done, and everything that he has risked and given up to do it. The author speaks of the family in…

    • 409 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Paco 500 Final Report

    • 4612 Words
    • 19 Pages

    At Justified By Faith Baptist Church in Indianapolis, IN, I, Daniel H. Weems, Sr. serve as an Associate Pastor. We are a new church plant about seventeen months old and have around fifty active members. I have been asked to organize and implement a soul care ministry within the church. My overarching goal for ministry is to restore my fellow man when he is overtaken in a fault (Gal. 6:1), fully knowing that all mankind have missed the mark at times (Rom. 3:23); I do my best to remind…

    • 4612 Words
    • 19 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    4 MAT Review McMinn

    • 1333 Words
    • 4 Pages

    After establishing the background of his book McMinn (2011) begins to discuss several theological topics related to intra-disciplinary integration. The first theological them McMinn (2011) discusses is prayer. Despite the fact that many students are not adequately trained in theology or possess the necessary spiritual discipline to effectively integrate prayer into counseling, McMinn (2011) believes that prayer is essential to achieve mental and spiritual health. McMinn (2011) also mentions the ethical issues a counselor may come across when using prayer with their clients. McMinn (2011) then offers his readers with several techniques to incorporate prayer into their practice. With each technique that McMinn (2011) describes he also mentions the risk that exist if misused by individuals who have failed to be properly trained in each technique. McMinn (2011) then focuses his reader’s attention to the use of Scripture in counseling. As with prayer, if a counselor is not properly trained in the use of Scripture it can also be ineffective and posses a risk to client. McMinn (2011) points out that the Christian…

    • 1333 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Chmn 201 Exam 1 Study Guide

    • 2931 Words
    • 12 Pages

    Be familiar with the following content from The Preface, Introduction, Appendix, & Chapters 1-5 of “Living Out the Mind of Christ: Practical Keys to Discovering and Applying the Mind of Christ in Every Day Life” by Dr. Gutierrez…

    • 2931 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Part One of Elmer Towns’ Concise Bible Doctrines introduces Christian theology by outlining the key pieces of the doctrine to help the reader understand Christianity and faith. Towns begins by saying that the main purpose of Bible doctrine is to communicate the gospel to the people at a point of need. Every man has the same need because every man is cut off from God. Man is born with a sin nature, and because he is less than holy, he is isolated and alienated from God. Death is imminent for everyone, but God communicates through the Bible that through Jesus Christ, man can be saved. The word “gospel” means “good news.” It is the responsibility of every Christian to reach out in relationships to the unsaved in sharing this news, and to other Christians in fellowship. Christians are called to seek God, and study the Bible to learn to know Him better, and worship Him always. Proper worship of God requires faith; the source of which is the Bible. Doctrinal faith is the beginning and the test of Christianity. If our statement of faith is wrong, than our faith is misplaced. Our faith must be grounded on correct knowledge of God. However, intellectual knowledge of God is not enough. Emotional expression and volition are equally important. The Holy Spirit acts on behalf of Jesus Christ to plant faith in a Christian’s heart. He indwells us, and helps us exercise our faith daily. We can grow in our faith by studying God’s word, seeking the Lord, confessing sin, actively following biblical principles, and constantly communicating with God. Faith is ultimately a reliance and trust of God, and the Bible teaches us to rely on Him for everything.…

    • 2207 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Oscar Thompson, the original author of Concentric Circles of Concern, was a pastor for twenty years before teaching personal evangelism at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also served as the president of the Oscar Thompson Evangelical Association. After being diagnosed with cancer, Thompson served as pastoral consultant of the Cancer Counseling and Research Foundation, as well as pastoral consultant and board member of the Trinity Valley Hospice Association, while ministering to those facing terminal illness. Upon his death in 1980, his wife, Carolyn, compiled the manuscript of the first edition of Concentric Circles. Thompson’s outstanding work in the area of evangelism continues to be recognized in the W. Oscar Thompson, Jr. Memorial Award in Evangelism, which is presented to an exceptional student in the School of Theology at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.…

    • 1509 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    While a relationship with the Devine may feel very un-tangible for some people, it can be very tangible for others. It can consist of vibrant relationships with God, or it can be more of a subtle more quiet method of having a relationship with God. Sometimes a relationship with God may feel one sided in the very beginning, however later on you might notice little changes that will enable you to become more aware of God’s presence within you.…

    • 871 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Theo 104 Reflection Paper

    • 1414 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Religious studies and Theology are undoubtedly of invaluable effect on the life of the learner. The two studies have the mandate of transforming the overall perception to life as regards religion, personal beliefs and the philosophy of life. In this study, an array of topics were studied which in the end further enlightened on the mental conception and most interesting was the study involving the claim by Jesus that he was God. In addition to these, the course was informative and elaborates on the questions most people ask about the life of modern day Christians. Does it matter the lifestyle one adopts? Are there any procedures the church can initiate so as to communicate God 's love for the community in a manner that is not questionable and without doubt, but, remains beneficial to all Christians? Indeed, the questions are very relevant and of great importance to any present day Christian living in faith and in such hard times where confusion and…

    • 1414 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    McMinn (2011) lets us know that it is very important for the spiritual life of Christian counselor to be identifiable, for the purposes of intradisciplinary integration, to allow distinction between the professional and personal life. When distinguishing the two it becomes difficult to define the Christian counselor’s piety and personal practices that could affect the counseling process, outcomes and/or expectations of the client (p.12). The Christian counselor has to be in touch with his or her own personal spirituality so they…

    • 1424 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    This way provides a new understanding of the numinous, which can help us hold all life in reverence and appreciation, even that which brings us fear. Many of the spiritual and religious traditions that Kinnamon explores espouse awe or reverence for the divine as a means of appreciating the exquisite intensity of life, and not fearing it. In this way, a religious perspective can pull us out of times of fear and doubt, to realize our common…

    • 1841 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Submitted to Dr. Allan England in partial completion of course requirements for DSMN 500 ± Discipleship Ministries…

    • 2088 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Deciding how to model your counseling practice is one of the fundamental issues needing to be addressed when a counselor is choosing to begin a successful career as a licensed counselor. There are many different theories, strategies and methods to choose from when developing the foundation of your models, but all must adhere to the ethical standard of behavior set forth by the American Counseling Association. The best way to establish a model of counseling is to compare and contrast several different counseling practices and carefully evaluate their individual methods, goals, premises, strategies and theories.…

    • 1841 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    There are four connections that explain the theological interpretive circle. The first connection, spirituality to religion, ties the self and the neighbor together. We as individuals differ in our levels of spirituality and our decision making process, however, we choose our religion based on our beliefs, yet we find ourselves entangled with our neighbors who also follow our religions. What separates us is the level of spirituality we contain, but we conjoin with our neighbors regardless. This emphasizes unity regardless of difference, which follows the Golden Rule, as you would like to be treated no different from your peers. Reflection and action allow us to formulate our beliefs and reflect on others’ beliefs and viewpoints, while action…

    • 418 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    World View Reflection

    • 296 Words
    • 2 Pages

    In the book, Be thou my vision: Pursuing God’s perspective in a pluralistic world it states , “provides life events and experiences that deposit eternal truths in our minds and lives, and make room for intimacy with Christ”.…

    • 296 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays

Related Topics