2. Sharing Name and how would you describe yourself Type of ministry involved in Expectations from this class
3. Introduction Saundra L. Washington says, “ Perhaps our greatest weakness as ministers is that of counseling. It is an unavoidable responsibility that confronts us more often than we may desire… counseling is an integral , if not, inseparable part of pastoral care .”
4. Introduction The ministry of Pastoral Counseling is often in want because of the following 10 reasons: 1. Limited Understanding of what pastoral counseling is all about. 2. Poorly Trained in the area of effective pastoral counseling. 3. No Models to work with. 4. Lack of knowledge of the human nature
5. Introduction 5. Seen as Unnecessary Ministry in the church context (“waste of time”) 6. Overly emphasizing on the “spiritual” 7. Unfounded fear of the “secular” theories and approaches to counseling 8. The counselor is carrying a lot of extra baggage 9. Bad experience with counseling 10. Seen as too demanding to pursue
19. I. What is Pastoral Counseling? “ Pastoral counseling is a ministry in the church and must be seen from a new light. Instead of seeing as competition of preaching and discipleship. This is a very important tool in helping people live the life God meant them to live.”
32. God A. God counsels his people Psalms 73:24 - " With Thy counsel you will guide me “ Ps. 16:7 - " I will bless the Lord who has counseled me "
33. Jesus B. Jesus was prophesied to be a counselor Isaiah 9:6 - " His name… wonderful Counselor ...“ “ best advice available”
34. Holy Spirit C. The Holy Spirit is a counselor John 14:16 - " I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper " Gr. Paraklesis, which means “ to come along side to encourage ” a “ helper ” John 14:26 - " the Helper, the Holy Spirit, will teach you all things "
35. Great life now! D. Though heaven is our final destination, God has a wonderful plan for our lives here on earth. False notion of suffering. There is good in this life Know what to embrace/reject We are pilgrims here on earth.
36. C.S Lewis “ Our Heavenly Father has provided many delightful inns for us along our journey, but he takes great care to see that we do not mistake any of them for home.” C.S. Lewis
37. Proverbs E. Proverbs encourages us to seek counsel Proverbs 11:14; 24:6 - " in abundance of counselors there is victory Proverbs 12:15 - " a wise man is he who listens to counsel “
38. Counsel one another E. Admonished to counsel one another Romans5:14 - " able also to admonish one another “ I Thessalonians 5:14 - " admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted... " Heb. 3:13 - " encourage one another day after day "
40. III. Why pursue this ministry A. The Godhead was involved in this ministry B. Because we are in the ministry of setting people free C. This ministry has so much potential for evangelism D. People have different paths to healing E. Because we truly care about the total person