Counseling in the Church
Counseling in the Church
Abstract
Select (highlight) this text and then begin typing your abstract, which should be limited to one paragraph of not more than 120 words
Introduction
Christian counseling has been conducted since the origin of Christianity. Even in biblical times counseling was a part of the churches spiritual life and development. In the Pauline epistles it is clear that God ordained and approved church based counseling. Paul states in Romans 15:14: “I myself am convinced; my brothers that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct (counsel) one another”. Like the pagan nations of the time, Christianity also addressed grief and sin. (Delkeskemp-Haynes, 2010)
There is a need for Christian counseling in today’s church. The need stems for a larger social, cultural, and professional dynamic. In Christ centered soul care, the church is the primary place where healing, growth and healthy relationships take place. Christ centered soul care views hurt as a soul wound. It means making connections instead of just skilled talking. The impact of care and maturity of the counselor outweighs the techniques used. Soul care incorporates the belief that God is the ultimate healer. Soul care goes beyond psychotherapy into spiritual transformation and discipleship. Psychotherapy has its place but should be done in adjunction to the work of the church. (Clinton & Ohlschlager, 2002)
Major Themes
Pastoral Counseling
The term pastoral comes from the Bible; it is the human effort of man responding to Gods call to care. (Bjorck, 2007) It is God ordained for “some to be pastors and teachers for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, to which all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the son of God to a perfect man, to the measure of statue of the fullness of Christ” ( Ephesians 4:11-13)
Pastors are essential to the success of today 's
Abstract
Select (highlight) this text and then begin typing your abstract, which should be limited to one paragraph of not more than 120 words
Introduction
Christian counseling has been conducted since the origin of Christianity. Even in biblical times counseling was a part of the churches spiritual life and development. In the Pauline epistles it is clear that God ordained and approved church based counseling. Paul states in Romans 15:14: “I myself am convinced; my brothers that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct (counsel) one another”. Like the pagan nations of the time, Christianity also addressed grief and sin. (Delkeskemp-Haynes, 2010)
There is a need for Christian counseling in today’s church. The need stems for a larger social, cultural, and professional dynamic. In Christ centered soul care, the church is the primary place where healing, growth and healthy relationships take place. Christ centered soul care views hurt as a soul wound. It means making connections instead of just skilled talking. The impact of care and maturity of the counselor outweighs the techniques used. Soul care incorporates the belief that God is the ultimate healer. Soul care goes beyond psychotherapy into spiritual transformation and discipleship. Psychotherapy has its place but should be done in adjunction to the work of the church. (Clinton & Ohlschlager, 2002)
Major Themes
Pastoral Counseling
The term pastoral comes from the Bible; it is the human effort of man responding to Gods call to care. (Bjorck, 2007) It is God ordained for “some to be pastors and teachers for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, to which all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the son of God to a perfect man, to the measure of statue of the fullness of Christ” ( Ephesians 4:11-13)
Pastors are essential to the success of today 's
References: Clinton, Timothy., & Ohlschlager, George. (2002). Competent Christian Counseling (Vol. 1). Orange, CA: WaterBrook Multnomah.