Colossians 1:26-29 (The Message)
This mystery has been kept in the dark for a long time, but now it's out in the open. God wanted everyone, not just Jews, to know this rich and glorious secret inside and out, regardless of their background, regardless of their religious standing. The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you, so therefore you can look forward to sharing in God's glory. It's that simple. That is the substance of our Message. We preach Christ, warning people not to add to the Message. We teach in a spirit of profound common sense so that we can bring each person to maturity. To be mature is to be basic. Christ! No more, no less. That's what I'm working so hard at day after day, year after year; doing my best with the energy God so generously gives me.
Differences between Christianity and psychology
There are major differences between Christianity and psychology. I think it would be instructive to list some points of contention before we start.Psychology is a religion!
The definition used here for religion is:A system of human thought which includes a set of belief and practices that give meaning to the practitioner's experiences of life through reference to ultimate truth. Psychology is a religion based on man's self-centered wisdom.
This thought is held up against the definition of Christianity which believes in the sufficiency of God's word. Christianity is a monotheistic system of beliefs and practices based on the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus as embodied in the New Testament and emphasizing the role of Jesus as savior. The deeper that you get into Christianity, the more you realize how impossible to come up with an adequate definition. The above definition is one that is generally accepted, but hardly scratches the surface.
In the world of psychology religion is something separate from mans’ everyday lives. On the other hand Christians have found that Christianity is the only complete way of life. Christianity teaches that the wisdom needed for a fruitful life is contained in the Bible and has been given by God himself.
Psychology has deep anti-Christian roots
It does not matter what the benefit one may receive from psychology, Christians should examine any encounter they have with psychology and determine the rightness or wrongness of what they are introduced to.The accepted founders of this “science” are Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. Freud in his own words states his case: “religion inherently evil religion is form of neurosis. Jung lays out his care with these words:”religion a mental illness” also it is just an” imaginary coping mechanism.”
Christianity is not a “religion” but a faith and a one on one encounter with God. Faith is the complete confidence in the person of Jesus Christ. The experience and change that overcomes a person through this encounter validates this experience. The term commonly used to describe the results of this faith is being born again.
The statements by Jung and Freud are not statements of one who has been born again and who depends totally upon the lord Jesus Christ.
Freud and Jung embraced mysticism and the occult. Among other well known adherents to psychology were Adler, Maslow, Fromm, Rogers, and Janov.
It is interesting to point out that some of these men, after formulating their conception of psychology, converted to Christianity. However, by that time, their theory has gain in popularity. One of these men came from a Christian background. Others would have nothing to do with Christianity ever.
The majority of psychological thinking holds that people are basically good. By looking to ourselves, man can through strong enough self effort and will power, improve our selves with no help from God, thank you.
In this view man is a victim of the past. Problems arise from a past not in their control and therefore no fault may be assigned. “It is not my fault. The devil made me do it. “We cannot pick our environment and so some negatives may come out of it. It is not my fault. The past controls the present. Sin is not in their vocabulary. There is no standard in this world because everyone is shaped by the past and each person past is different
Second
The biggest difference between Christian counseling and secular counseling is the authority to which the counselor is answerable. Secular Counselors are answerable to the state. The state in which the secular counselor lives set requirement and grants the operating license. The secular counselor must toe the line or be out of business. Normally, God cannot be a part of anything endorsed by the state. Usually secular counselors are forbidden to and agree not to pray. It is unlawful to ask God for help. There should be nothing religious in nature in the counseling sessions.
Pastoral counselors answer not to the state, but to God, and the church. Of course they can and do ask god for help. Yes, the pastoral councilor prays and calls upon god for help. The basis or foundations of pastoral counseling is biblical. Pastoral counseling is an extension of the pastors’ ministry. It is one person assisting another person as they seek God's grace. They are expecting God to give insight and intervene with the problems, hurt, disappointment, and worthlessness they feel in their life.
The uniqueness of pastoral counseling is evident in the attention given to the Holy Spirit as the true counselor
John 14:25-27
"I'm telling you these things while I'm still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I'm leaving you well and whole. That's my parting gift to you. Peace. I don't leave you the way you're used to being left - feeling abandoned, bereft. So don't be upset. Don't be distraught. The message (MSG)
12-15
"I still have many things to tell you, but you can't handle them now. But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is. He won't draw attention to himself, but will make sense out of what is about to happen and, indeed, out of all that I have done and said. He will honor me; he will take from me and deliver it to you. Everything the Father has is also mine. That is why I've said, 'He takes from me and delivers to you.' The message (MSG)
(John 14:26; 16:13).
The pastoral counselor is used by the Holy Spirit to provide the individual the help that is needed. The Holy Spirit will gift the individuals Being use to provide His counsel.
1 Peter 4:7-11 (The Message)
Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless - cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!
Pastoral counseling has the absolute standard of Christ to rely upon. Pastoral counseling is Bible-based. This measuring stick is unshakable. Pastoral counseling gets its understanding of which man is from the Scriptures and from psychological research that is compatible with Scripture. Not all psychological research is useful. But some of it is very good. It is the conclusions and theories derived from the research that is not compatible with the Christians’ word of truth.
There is much that Pastoral counselors can benefit from current psychological research. Then it comes to a point of difference. Current research can shed light on the whys’ of behavior, but the method of healing takes another path. Christian counseling pastors to the whole person. Secular counseling, on the other hand, seeks to provide emotional healing through human foundation. Secular counseling is humanistic in approach. A humanist holds to a philosophy asserting human dignity and man's capacity for fulfillment is obtained through reason and scientific method. A humanist is human-centered: marked by humanistic values and devotion to human welfare; Secular can provide help, but it is unable to address the deepest needs of the soul and spirit.
Third
Secular counselors ignore Christian thought. They do not take it into consideration and it plays no role in the theory, diagnoses or therapy. Secular counseling has many divergent and conflicting theory’s to choose from. In practice, there is no absolute standard to judge behavior with. Secular counseling uses the very latest psychological findings. In some cases the standard for the norm is society. Secular counseling has no absolutes. Judgments are relative to the particular theory that the counselor holds to be true.
On the other hand:
Christian counselors have an absolute standard. This standard measures their objectives and outcome of their client’s lifestyle. They realize and present the Bible as the source of all truth.
To illustrate my point this exchange was taken off of a message board on the Internet. It illustrates my point.
- Christianity
- Science
- Psychology
Can Christianity, Science and Psychology coexist?
I have come to a bit of a crossroads in my faith. I am starting to recognize that the traditional beliefs of Christianity are becoming less and less reliable but I am not willing or ever willing to discredit my faith. I have been doing a little studying and now believe that there can be a middle ground in this and I am looking for books/groups/or churches that share in this method of thinking? Something that doesn't disregard scientific theories, and doesn't condemn education as the work of the devil.Best Answer - Chosen by Voters
When I was a Christian, I went to a secular therapist, who tried to tell me my problems weren't my fault. As a Christian, I had been told that they were a result of my sin and my not seeking forgiveness from God. So, in the case of that one therapist and my understanding of Christianity at the time, no, they were not compatible.
Science, depending on your view of Christianity is certainly compatible. As I've said before, Christianity is designed to tell you how to interact with other humans, and how to interact with God. In no way does that preclude accepting science.
The thing that you need to look at in your own life is this:
- What, as a Christian, do you believe?
- What do you believe about science (not just evolution, but the entire scientific method)?
- What do you believe about psychology?
PS! Fair warning, though; this sort of attitude is what eventually led me to become an atheist.
2
The next question that comes to mind is:
What is pastoral counseling?
Who does pastoral care?OK, I see the difference between Christianity and psychology. Tell me who does pastoral counseling? Pastoral counseling usually takes place between people who consider themselves as Christian and/or come out of a Christian background. The out and out atheist does not usually seek help from Christian sources.
Pastoral counseling, in contrast to secular counseling seeks to carefully discover the areas in which the person seeking help may be disobedient to the principles and commands of Scripture. The goal here is to help him learn how to lovingly submit to God's will. This is possible in pastoral counseling because pastoral counseling has an absolute standard by which to measure the objectives and evaluate the client’s lifestyle changes.
Practical wisdom
The Bible has practical wisdom about human nature, marriage and family, human and suffering. Biblical concepts in counseling are instructive to the path they should commit themselves and introduces the concepts of accountability.Pastors are in a natural position to do counseling. It is their calling. More so than anyone else, more than any other profession, pastors hold a special affinity for counseling. Pastors are called upon for help through counseling by people of all ages, shape, sizes and walks of life. Pastors are in contact daily with those who are experiencing troubles, hurts, doubts of themselves, and shame. People facing these problems feel out of touch with God and being worthless. Usually their lives are meaningless. They feel lost and think life is lost upon them.
Pastors cannot avoid counseling
Pastors by their nature and calling should not and cannot avoid counseling and remain true to themselves. It is a part of the ministry. It is the will of God. Doing the will of God is more important than talking about the will of God. Most consider counseling as part of the environment that God placed the minister in.If you went to the seminary probably you found out that a counselor is not a psychologist. However people in your congregation expect people in your position to have the skills of and the know-how of a psychologist. In their eyes, the pastor is a “psychologist”. In reality, the public really has no idea of the real basis for psychology. Part of psychologies’ cultural image is slightly mystic, well educated, extremely intelligent and nice to be around when you need to go to one. They are a little expressive. What you may not have learned in school is that these people who contact you will treat you as is you were a psychologist and above that, expect the services of a psychologist from you. They expect these services to be free.
The congregation has the impression that you also are well educated in vocational issues. They feel that you are ready, willing and able to give good counsel on a range of topics from vocational, job related issues, health issues, mothers’ Alzheimer’s, and to their thoughts of self destruction. This type of service is fully expected from you. People look upon the pastor and fully expect the pastor to be an expert in almost issue with their lives they have. They do not realize the pastor is not as qualified as their expectations. Again, although the pastor is not a psychiatrist, the pastor will be presented with deep seated problems. Some of these problems will be beyond the qualifications of the pastor.
The pastor is not equipped to solve all problems encountered.
The pastor cannot be all things to all people, and the pastors were not called into such a role. The pastor must recognize limitations and from that the pastor must be able to make intelligent referrals. The pastor must be very careful in your recommendation. The pastor is in position to save or destroy lives. The pastor must always be ready to do is counsel with person who has problems of faith. Study and learn well, because consoling is one aspect of the pastors calling.Under the guidance from God, Pastoral counseling provides the answers for the questions this age is asking.
Unless you are coming from someplace else, you have your head in the sand, or you are extremely idealistic, you will recognize that this is an extremely complex and dangerous age.
This is the end times of the end times with all the implied chaos.
You will be faced with crisis, tension, and anger in all magnitudes. The conditions in the 21Th century cause many people fear and tension. People are being treated as less than human. As if they have no worth. People are forced into believing they do not count. They feel that they are completely out of touch with God. These circumstances cause deep interpersonal implications.Everything I do affects someone else. I do not live in isolation. You cannot exist in isolation. Pastoral counseling will cause extensive changes in people who come in contact with it. The changes in their lives, intended or unintended are manifest in the value they get out of life. People lives have been affected by this age. They need help.
Some of them will be asking you for help with their problems. No matter what the pastor bargained for this role when you felt the call to your ministry, you will be expected to function as a competent counselor who will serve the needs of persons who come to you for help with their problems. All this will be in addition to the other duties of your ministry. It has always been the task of pastors to function as mediators between men and their problems.
3
In what way is Christian counseling different?
The first difference is in the name of the person seeking help. How shall you refer to the people whom come to you for help?What is in a name?
A name is a verbal or other symbolic representation of a thing, event, property, relation, or concept. Names suggest a word or a combination of words by which a person, place, or thing, a body or class, or any object of thought is designated, called, or known.Does it make a difference what you call people?
In Biblical times names were thought to be extremely powerful and to act, in some ways, as a separate manifestation of a person or deity. In modern times, the name given to a person or position will at the very least, establish a relationship tone.Pastoral counseling involves calling the recipients of counseling; clients. The recipients of pastoral counseling are sometimes called parishioners, clients, members, or patients. The name reflects a relation and level of respect. Persons who see a “professional” counselor are usually called clients. Persons who see psychiatrists for help are usually referred to as patients.
A client is:
One who employs the services of a professional person and usually pays a fee for those services. The term "patient" places the helping relationship in a medical frame of reference. However the name “client’ implies a level of trust and respect between the two. Clients imply one who believes in or has great personal interest in the outcome.
Does a name make any difference?
Does context deserve to be given consideration? Is it better to call them clients, or Patients, or counselees?I think Client is an apt description. Look at this description for the word client: “A person or group that uses the professional advice or services of a lawyer, accountant, advertising agency, architect, etc. A person who is receiving the benefits, services, etc., of a social welfare agency, a government bureau, etc. “There is nothing demeaning about the name “client”.
The second difference is the concerns of Pastoral counseling
Pastoral counseling involves concerns, includes, and is about the human spiritual dimension and experience. To say it Flat-out: Salvation.This boils down to the clients experience with God and where it has gone wrong. The goal of spiritual counseling is to bring the client into right relationship with God. Nothing less is expected or sought.
The goal is salvation.
"To save" in the Greek means: to heal or make whole; deliverance, rescue, and recovery Salvation is wholeness, soundness, deliverance from everything that blights and warps human personality and prevents companionship with God.This is sometimes thought of as redemption. This is an act of redeeming, liberation or the state of being recovered. It is in a real sense being or experiencing deliverance; rescue. Another way to express this is deliverance from sin that is salvation.
The third difference is the foundation Christian counseling uses.
Our environment is subject to change.
We are subject to change. Change pulls at us from every direction. Change pull at the foundation which people have chosen for their lives. People are famous for choosing weak and shifting foundations in life. This has implications for Christian counseling. The pastor, in this ministry, can be instrumental in guiding the people who has contact with, to the Salvation of their lives and existence. Equip yourself for this role. This is not a “learn by doing” experiment. You will face complicated conditions caused by rapid change. You must be ready for it.Many persons facing this complex world recognize their inadequacy to handle their problems and many approach their pastors for guidance and help. It is the job of the minister to help these people fashion a healthy, adequate, and Christian approach to life by building on the only true foundation.
The need here is simple: the need is a “Firm footing on a solid foundation in life.” The clients need to be introduced to the God of the universe who made it clear in His word what all problems can be solved with His help and His strength relied upon. This and only this will prepare them to meet the demands of this complex world.
The forth difference is the person who does the counseling
The counselor who will be qualified in counseling is a person that has the proper self image. The sense of self is how the counselor sees their own personhood. Self image is one of the dominate aspect of the counselors world view.The counselor is a person who has reached a state of maturity needed to deal with a shifting environment. The battered and broken environment demands the pastor laid claim to the only true foundation to keep strengthened in this world.
That foundation is Christ Jesus and His word to mankind in the Bible.
The counselor must be yielded to God.
This is the basis of the Christian's confidence. Confidence in this case is not based on self. Faith in God provides the confidence upon which a life may be ultimately built and based. Such a person will be receiving spiritual resources from Him. If the pastor happens to be a “make believe Christian”, the undertaken counseling will fail. The pastors’ hopes, energy, and assets will be spent toward things that will end in defeat. The client will not be helped in the truest sense of the word.Pastoral counseling need Gods’ spiritual resources to cope with the division and internal destruction encountered. Because of Gods’ spiritual resources this can be replaced with peace and tranquility. The life styles that your clients may be participating in results in fear, apprehension, separation, detestation, anxiety, uncertainty, scandal, terror, conflict, jealousy, and arrogance. Many of the pastors’ clients will gains these traits while seeking self worth from secular counselors.
The pastor has received spiritual power from God.
These spiritual resources were given to you for use as tools for the benefit of the clients. These will include Serenity, safety, confidence, harmony, unanimity, support, direction, health, development, encouragement, companionship, love, and self-sacrifice.The pastor will be contacted by clients who are suffering from badly managed relationships with people important in their lives. The pastor has been chosen to be an important part of their therapeutic progression. The awareness they have of the pastor is one of uprightness, decency, propriety, decorum, significance, substance, and dignity. From this they will hold the pastor in high esteem and trust.
The fifth difference is the attitude toward pastoral counseling and psychiatry
Most think pastoral counseling and psychiatry are similar, but this is a common misconception. In fact they are dissimilar. Psychiatry discounts the role and value of Christianity. Psychiatry has a completely different foundation from pastoral counseling. Psychiatry does not oppose to the religious dimension of man, psychiatry simply ignores it and places no value on it. In other word, Psychiatry denies faith in practice. Faith will play no part in the diagnosis or its therapy. Faith has nothing to do with the outcome. Some see faith as part of the problem.An example of this attitude was taken off a blog by physiologist Dr. Janov.
Friday, February 13, 2009
The Brain Doesn't Care What You Believe So Long As You Believe
The brain doesn’t care what the content of a belief system is so long as it exists. It can be Zen, Allah, God or the Republican Party — the force is there to keep us hooked. Again, the brain doesn’t judge itself nor second-guess its content; it just produces the ideas that it needs — God is watching over me and will protect me. Does that mean all ideas are superficial and simply transposed feelings with little validity of their own? Not at all. But if we don’t understand that ideas are built out of a structure, from a lower level of the unconscious, we shall never learn how to combat or change them. To remain in the realm of ideas alone is to lie in the domain of philosophy. Ideas that are in accord with one’s feelings — the environment is being polluted — is not what I shall be discussing because then we would have to analyze the validity of the idea: Are hot-house gases increasing, for example? Indeed, we recently treated a woman at the Primal Center obsessed with pollution; she would throw fits if someone smoked near her, a seemingly logical response, but it came out of a feeling that I would never dare to interpret on my own — there were toxic drugs given to her mother at birth, and also the mother smoked and drank during her pregnancy. The newborn sensed that her world was "polluted". This remained unconscious until she relived her birth and felt all the toxins surrounding her. She knew immediately the cause of her overreaction in the present. That understanding, however, did not invalidate her beliefs. Again I do not want to validate or invalidate anyone’s beliefs; I simply want to show how they help us cope in the world. As I pointed out, the brain doesn't care about what idea we have so long as we have them, and that the idea brings relief — hope against hopelessness, courage against fear, life against death, having someone there who listens to us instead of feeling totally alone in an indifferent universe. When we feel hopeless — when we have lost our best friend and life seems so dreary — we can appeal to an idea of someone or something that will help out. The idea may even keep us from killing ourselves. We can imagine a help and a love from a deity that never existed in our early lives; that imagination will work for the brain. Neurons (brain cells) do not distinguish between a good idea, a real idea and a false one. With pain, nerve cells go to work immediately calming it; they manufacture painkilling chemicals such as serotonin, and allow the force of the pain to be diverted into higher left-brain areas that are in charge of beliefs. It is an automatic process commanded by and servile to one’s painful feelings. Serotonin is what Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft manage to preserve in adequate quantities to keep pain away. Either we take 10 milligrams of Prozac or we take 100 milligrams of a very strong and persuasive idea — both have the same effect. Both gate pain in the brain and keep it barricaded in the unconscious. One is injected from the outside and the other is injected from the inside.
Posted by Arthur Janov at 4:19 AM
In contrast, Pastoral counseling is based upon the Christian interpretation of life. In this view it is absolutely necessary to develop a relationship with God which gives access to the spiritual resources
Counseling is a connection between two people; the counselor and the client. This situation becomes effective when client sees the need of the help that is being offered. True counseling is not the simple swap of words between two people.
The sixth difference is perception of when counseling comes into being.
A true counseling situation does not necessarily exist just because a counselor and a client are engaged in conversation. A need must become evident to client before true counseling occurs. Progress is being made when the client sees a need and better than that, what caused the need. By coming to the pastor, the client is taking a step toward the comprehension of the need for getting support in solving the difficulty that is disturbing him. The client came to see the pastor because they know something is wrong with them and their relationships. Spiritually, they are in pain. They do not know where the pain is coming from. The do not know how to cope. Counseling becomes an interpersonal rapport in which the counselor and the client spend their time and resources in clearly stating the problems, what caused the problems and the best way to solve them.
It is necessary for the pastor to help the client overcome the chaos, anxiety, conflicts and rage. Then the client is brought to a point that the quandary is clearly seen. This is done by getting the client to talk clearly about the life disturbance being experienced. When the problems are out in the open, they can be examined. This is part of the progression of establishing a genuine client relationship.
4
What are the qualifications you need to participate in pastoral counseling?
There are many qualifications and some are quite oblivious. Such has education, training, practical experience and testing. The question here is what kind of person can best do pastoral counseling?
First
First, the person who undertakes this calling must first and foremost be strong in the Christian faith. This will be a genuine faith. This person will have a fully developed way of thinking. This is not on the job training. You are not learning by doing. Rather, you are using your established knowledge. One way to develop ones’ posture is the compilation of specifics about the endeavors being undertaken. You will never be satisfied with your state of knowledge.
Second
The qualified person will be in full control of his self. Self control comes through wisdom and the more wisdom the pastor has, the greater the understanding will be. The greater your understanding the easier it will be to relate to the client and the problem at hand. Your understanding is needed for accepting and evaluating what the client is relating. The fully qualified person will accept people as they are. Service to people begins by understanding, in this context.
One of the most heartbreaking mistakes a counselor may make is failing to recognize the worth of persons. Any counselor who looks at a person and judges them worthless is to be pitied. If the counselor does not accept person as having great worth, the client will sense your attitude. It is not easy to fool people. If he pastor is mature, balanced and is not struggling with life, the client will see it. Upon sensing these things, the client will be ready to accept what will be said and establish a good relationship. But the pastor needs be real and genuine.
Third
Intelligence is an absolutely necessary qualification for councilor. Intellect is an umbrella term used to describe a property of the mind that encompasses many related abilities, such as the capacities to reason, to plan, to solve problems, to think obstructively, to comprehend ideas, to use language, and to learn Intelligence includes traits such as creativity, personality, character, knowledge, and wisdom. It takes intelligence to recognize goals being set by the client. A true counseling situation is one where two human beings are authentically relating to one another in mutual respect. Certain conditions need to exist between them. This relationship will make it easier for the client to discover what the needs are. A need must be known by the client and he must see the need of receiving assistance in solving the problem that is troubling him.
Goal setting is one of the tools frequently used. When the client is pouring his heart out, goal setting is actually taking place. The client is telling the counselor the goals that need to be achieved. However, the client is not aware of the information being passed along. The counselor must have the intelligence to see what goals the client needs to achieve. The client may not be fully conscious of the goals he is expressing. The counselors’ job is to have a relationship with the client that will permit the counselor to guide the client to the goal he has set for himself.
Fourth
The consular must have the ability to establish relationships. Counseling is the interactions between individuals. You are not talking to a tree stump. You have a person before you, a client who is there because they respect you and think they can benefit from talking with you. The trust is in the counselor for the answers when the questions are not yet known. The counselors must establish an interpersonal relationship with the client this relationship will concentrate on clarifying the feelings and problems of the client. Each person in this relationship must understand what it is they are trying to accomplish.
Fifth
The counselor must relate to the client to aid in overcoming conflicts, tensions, and harm, offences, and damage. This takes place when the client verbalizes his problems. Verbalization is a signal of the client’s acceptance of the counselor. Verbalization is also the signal of the acceptance that the problems need to be examined if they are going to be solved. Verbalization then is a signal that your relationship with your client is becoming valid.
The counselor must have the ability to draw people to himself. This is charisma charm, appeal and pull. Charisma come from the Greek and it means gift of/favored by God. Charisma refers to a trait found in individuals whose personalities are characterized by a personal charm and attractiveness, along with innate and powerfully sophisticated abilities of interpersonal communication and persuasion. One who is charismatic is said to be capable of using their personal being, rather than just speech or logic alone, to interface with other human beings in a personal and direct manner, and effectively communicate an argument or concept to them. This will be seen in the counselor by the way the counselor lives life. Charisma is part of the unique ability to draw people. The counselors’ persona must allow the client to communicate the deep, intimate aspects of his life. This will come after the client sees security, confidence and trust in the counselor. This is absolutely essential for true counseling. People will come to the counselor for counseling only if trust is felt. The client should see in the counselor the maturity they desire for themselves.
In order for the counselor to understand anyone else, they must understand themselves. Self understanding is the awareness of you. The counselor should be aware of their own attitudes, motives, disposition and outlook on life. Self understanding is a must for establishing the proper interpersonal relationship with the client.
Sixth
The counselor must realize that Counseling is based on the recognition of the dignity of the individual; moreover, the client’s dignity gives the right to personal assistance in the time of need. The assistance the counselor gives to the client must be centered on the client and is about the best development of the person.
Seventh
It must be said that the counselor must be worthy of respect. The counseling relationship must include being responsible to the client in having mutual respect. Respect and responsibility are the driving forces in the giving assistance to someone in of making wise choices.
This respect and responsibility will lead the counselor to make a study of the client by all means available to him. The problem the client brings to you must fully engage you and your entire personality. The basis of counseling assumes that those who attempt it are in possession of the skills needed and have the training and experience. If these are met the client will be helped to achieve the best in him.
What are the Results
What are your results? What will happen to your client? What will be changed in the life of your client? What is your goal and how will you know when it has been reached?
The result of “being born again”
The goal of your intervention should be nothing less than salvation. This results in less anxiety, stress, apprehension and fear. The counselors’ goal is to provide a clear path to follow. The client will come to see his self worth and he will be able to self direct his energies toward the solution of his problems instead of creating new problems. Salvation brings Objectivity. Objectivity is judgment based on observable phenomena and uninfluenced by emotions or personal prejudices objectivity results from the rejection of subjectivity. Subjectivity is judgment based on individual personal impressions and feelings and opinions rather than external facts. Salvation will produce motivation. Motivation is the internal condition that activates behavior and gives it direction; and energizes and directs goal-oriented behavior. Motivation results when solutions to problems seem to be in reach. It is hard to get motivated when you are convinced that everything is out of reach. Salvation enables a person to learn what caused the problems in the first place. Salvation brings about the proper handling of guilt. This results when guilt is tested and done away with. Salvation ultimately involves an approach to god by the client resulting in a new life and attitude.
Salvation will bring a better self image. This comes from a higher regard for self because of a change in the way the client perceives the relationship between his view of himself and the way experiences are reacted to. The clients’ salvation brings about the ability to develop satisfactory interpersonal relationships. This will result in the ability to live, to work, to love, and to accept. Salvation brings about confidence in the future. The client will come to believe that serious problems can be dealt with the aid and grace of god. Salvation and total dependence on god brings the client into contact with god’s nature. This results from the acceptance of god of the bible, not the god of feeling. These changes are brought about through a growing faith and trust in Christ. Of course the client will realize that Christ will never been finished changing him. Once this process is completed the client will have an ability to see what is causing the emotional states he experienced. This comes from understanding what is behind the troubles that plague him. The client will not any longer be overcome by guilt. Rather the client will be able to see behind the guilt. The clients self image will no longer cripple him
Are there fences or boundaries in pastoral counseling?
Counseling has been around almost forever. There always have been personal problems. There have always been those to intervene in those problems. There have always been those who saw themselves as having a role of counselor, dealing with persons needing help with their problems. These with either self appointed or appointed by others depending on the circumstances and culture involved. The bible places much emphasis to the role of the counselor in Jewish life and thought. The book of proverbs has many references to counseling. Proverbs brings together hundreds of wise, god-inspired sayings about the practical issues of living.
Historically, counseling has been viewed more as something someone does as a part of larger duties or care. It was not thought of as its own profession. In the past, counseling was always part of another calling. Developments in the 19th and 20th century caused counseling to become a separate discipline. This was brought about partly because of the rise of the profession of psychology, the study of aspirations, inspirations, determination, and choices.
Pastoral counseling is offered by counselors, not as a separate profession. At one time the focus of counseling sessions was on problems in life. In contrast to this, pastoral counseling places the emphasis on the people who have the problems, not the problem themselves. Life adjustment can be made though a clear understanding of what God is and what God offers. Life adjustment achieved by the client when faith is achieved. Salvation provides realization that the future of the clients’ life is no longer in his own hands but gods’. It is the client that needs help, not problems to be solved.
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What is the meaning of the word counseling?
The term "counselor" is a misunderstood word. It has come to mean person who recommends, coach’s, teaches, prepares, ameliorates or otherwise helps; an advisor. This is a very loose meaning in non-church environments. For example, you can find people serving as sex counselors, retirement counselors, youth counselors, image counselors, electronic counselors or even appliance counselors. In the retail trade, I was once a computer counselor. These are careless uses for this word.
What is the proper definition in our context?
Some say guidance: something that provides direction or advice as to a decision or course of action. Others say assistance (especially from a professional) in the resolution of personal difficulties. Words have meaning. When words are used, they should convey the proper images to everyone. Words cannot be spoken or written with a unique definition of your own. Pastoral counseling has a definite definition. Pastoral counseling has a place in the language and a place in practice. Pastoral counseling does not mean simply “advice” and it is not full blown medical psychotherapy. It lies between these. The first is the giving of advice, suggestions, opinions, recommendations, and is simply assisting the client. Advising is usually done with a minimum of interpersonal encounter. Counseling should not/cannot only be advising. Advice is free and it is worth what you pay for it. Advice is simply ideas on how to handle trivial problems. On the other end of the spectrum, your counseling is not and will not approach psychotherapy. Psychotherapy wants to bring about major changes in behavior leaving God out of the solution. These changes in behavior should, in their view, be brought about through the restructuring of the host personality. Psychotherapy is man centered and self centered. This is a warning: Psychotherapy cannot bring about changes in the structure of personality and remain harmless - only God can. Others “play God” in attempting it. Pastoral counselors, however, are personally in touch with God and plan to put others in the same position. If there are major changes to the structure of the personality to be made, God will make them through the salvation process.
Pastoral counseling is which counselors provide services that can include therapy. "Pastoral Counseling" is differentiated from "Pastoral Care", "Christian Counseling", or "Biblical Counseling". Pastoral Counseling is a unique in that it uses spiritual resources as well as psychological understanding for healing and growth. Pastoral counseling incorporates spirituality into therapeutic treatment. The goal of this counseling is to address a variety of underlying needs from a faith-based perspective.
Pastoral counseling is characterized as interaction between counselor and client. This interaction has the goal of resolving the difficulty, complexity, impenetrability of the client. There are many ranges of need by the client. These range from how to cope with life to how to how to deal with a particular problem. The basis of results achieved will be salvation given from God. Being “born again” has become somewhat trite in society, but there is not a more profound experience a person can go through.
The encounter between the counselor and client should be on a formal basis. This basis should indicate how serious both consider the encounter to be. Make appointments for the session. Time, date and place are appropriate and very necessary for setting the tone of the meeting. There are informal ways to consult, but these should always lead to a more formal setting. Anytime the counselor and potential client come in contact, there must be a positive influence. A helping relationship is always facilitated by the affirmative attitude of the counselor. The helping relationship can come out of any social setting one finds themselves in. The start of the relation may start like this: “Brother Goings, I would like to ask you a question about a point you brought up I Sundays service. If I take it correctly, I have a problem with it” Or “Brother George, Something you said Wednesday night troubles me. Can you explain it more?” Contacts are established this way and can bloom into a relationship with the client that will be a beginning of great help to him. The question to the counselor may end up with only one session or it could end up with a year’s investment of time and effort. Depend on God to do the leading.
A word to the wise, most problems are serious and will not be solved with one session. There is always that hope; however do not expect, quick solutions. If you give only advice, you are risk ignoring the value of significant interpersonal interaction. Interpersonal interaction is the most productive route to follow. Interpersonal interaction usually results in a lasting relationship.
Psychotherapy, on the other hand aims at making major changes in the individual through a secular restructuring of the personality. The definition of secular is: of or relating to the doctrine that rejects religion and religious consideration. Most pastor counselors do not consider recommendation for psychotherapy except under extreme circumstances.
The counselor must make one assumption. He must assume the client is a normal person. The word “normal in this circumstance means approximately average in any psychological trait, as intelligence, personality, or emotional adjustment- that is free from any mental disorder; sane. Being normal relates to the personality and this is a difficult area to get anyone to agree on a standard definition. Does normality even exist? Answer to this question is really “pie in the sky”. It is not your job to assume anything but normalcy until you find out difference yourself. Do not listen to well meaning tips and gossip. You do the work and find out for yourself through discovery if the person before you is normal or not. Until you do the work, you must assume that they are. Take people as you find them, or as they find you. You are going to seek God’s guidance in helping them. If you find that their hurt, damage, impairment, and illness is beyond the counselors concept of “normal”, and you are not qualified to help them, then you make a referral.
Persons who need referrals are losing contact with reality. They engage in behavior you consider bizarre, strange, and weird. They may even be dangerous to those around them. Judgments must be made to the help that can give or refer them to someone who can offer more qualified help.
Pastoral counseling deals with normal people who are often frustrated. Frustration is an all too common emotional response to opposition. The clients come for help after being prevented from accomplishing a purpose or fulfilling a desire. In this life frustration is frequent and inevitable. It is a part of everyone’s life. It arises from the perceived resistance to the fulfillment of individual will. There will be frustration to one degree or other in every one’s life. Mishandled Frustration creates emotional pain. Emotional pain causes people to lose objectivity. This leads to being lost in a problem, At this point people usually seek help from someone they trust.
Pastoral counseling involves the goal of self-understanding. Self-understanding is the ability to understand one's own actions. You are seeking to lead your client to understand themselves. This knowledge usually results in the client recognizing their own potential. One requirement for that stage of reorganization results from a modification of attitude and behavior.
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There are the two major areas in which the counselor works.
Thoughts and actions
Pastoral counseling involves modification of thoughts and actions
Modification of thoughts and actions is accomplished through the faith process after the client authentically approaches God
Psychoanalysis is a horse of a different color. Psychoanalysis takes into consideration past experiences and to some degree unconscious drives. This contradicts Christian theology. The theories associated with Psychoanalysis places the blame on unconscious drives. This removes responsibility from the person. Psychoanalysis believes a person can only be understood in terms of his past. Christian salvation recreates a person and the “Past” is left behind. Psychoanalysis believes a person is not really in control of his own thinking and behavior. Nothing is the fault of the client. The client is only a victim of the past. Psychoanalysis also claims that certain attitudes experiences by the client are controlled by unconscious forces. The client doesn’t even know these forces exist. This places the responsibility for ones actions and thoughts with something other than the client.
This was not Jesus’ view. This is the reason why the pastoral counselor centers the emphasis upon the present and upon the conscious. The responsibility for any action performed by the client is the responsibility of the client. A counselors training, experience, faith, frame of mind, and approach make him qualified to give help in this area. Pastoral counseling involves giving emphasis to the here and now aspect of a person’s existence. Pastoral counseling involves refraining from placing undo weight to the past and the unconscious. Pastoral consoling leads his client to recognize his responsibility for the conduct of his life and the road to the future. Pastoral counseling involves placing the sessions with the client in a Christian context. Pastoral counseling must be done within Christian theology. The goals are thoroughly Christian in nature. There is no path in Christian counseling that does not involve Christ. The counselor is not a secular preacher. He does not give secular advice. He cannot be a secular counselor. The counselor-counselor is aware that his counseling must have a divine dimension. He is deeply aware that man is a spiritual being whose spiritual needs can be met only by God. The counselor-counselor views man in relationship to God and he sees man in terms of eternal values. The goal is to bring man into right relationship with God. The counselor has one primary-goal in mind—that his client, through counseling, will encounter God. Pastoral counseling involves the absolute Christian goals. Ultimately the outcome of the encounters will depend solely how much Jesus was involved. There will be no success without Him.
Pastoral Counseling and Theology
The pastor who takes on the role of counselor will have a thorough study of theology behind him. He will already be equipped in this area to contribute to being biblically accurate. The counselor’s theology must have a Biblical foundation. . Nothing more and nothing less will do. Any other foundation for the theology will be complete and probably ultimately harmful to himself and his client. As in any other undertaking, the counselor will strive to keep up on the subject of counseling. Usually individuals who achieve the amount of education and experience to be in the pastoral position will have a thirst for more knowledge. This is a good thing, however a word of caution: The current secular literature contains information about the now current research. The research is fine and much of it can be used in pastoral counseling. Caution need to be applied when drawing conclusion about the research. The secular approach to problem solving is at odds with the Christian approach. The conclusion of secular approach does not take in account the spiritual aspects of persons in the studies. Christianity is completely ignored. For secular counseling, faith has no place and it is treated as if it did not exist.
One example of divergent paths between the secular and the Christian is the idea of the nature of man. The nature of man is a foundational concept in counseling.
This view holds that mankind itself is a part of uncreated, eternal nature. Man’s self-remediation will occur without reference to or help from God. Mans’ morality and ideas about justice on critical intelligence has no use for the Bible. Nature is nothing more than an eternal, self-perpetuating force.
There is little agreement between Christian and secular views on the nature of man. Some believe that man is sinless; others hold that man is good-less. Still others thinks think man is will-less. The only correct view is the Bible view, one which shows mans’ nature for what it is and what it can be.
Another example of divergent paths between the secular and the Christian example is the theology of the existence of God. What can be known about God, The nature of God and the actions of God is found revealed in the Bible. On the other hand, God does not exist in psychotherapy. God is “outlawed” by the state that issues the silence for the secular counselor. Furthermore, secular theories of the personality completely ignore and discount the concept of a personal knowledge God.
The pastoral counselor has experienced God in his life. The pastoral counselor knows from experience what God is like. The surprise is the complete ignorance displayed in these books and magazines.
The point is this: God deals with those who come to Him where he is and as he is. No other secular helps attempts this.
What the Bible have to say about it?
How about the entire teachings of Jesus? What Jesus taught has everything to do with pastoral counseling. Pastoral counseling has its foundation on the person and teachings of Jesus. Jesus thought that persons were individuals and has “worth”. Jesus taught that persons are more valuable than the whole world....’
What Jesus thought about the value of you?
Matthew 10:31 (The Message)
Forget About Yourself
29-31"What's the price of a pet canary? Some loose change, right? And God cares what happens to it even more than you do. He pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail—even numbering the hairs on your head! So don't be intimidated by all this bully talk. You're worth more than a million canaries.
Again
Luke 12:7 (The Message)
6-7"What's the price of two or three pet canaries? Some loose change, right? But God never overlooks a single one. And he pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail—even numbering the hairs on your head! So don't be intimidated by all this bully talk. You're worth more than a million canaries.
What is mans potential?
Genesis 1:26 (The Message)
26-28 God spoke: "Let us make human beings in our image, make them
reflecting our nature
so they can be responsible for the fish in the sea,
the birds in the air, the cattle,
and, yes, Earth itself,
and every animal that moves on the face of Earth."
God created human beings;
he created them godlike,
reflecting God's nature.
He created them male and female.
God blessed them:
"Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge!
Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air,
for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth."
And again
Acts 17:29 (The Message)
24-29"The God who made the world and everything in it, this Master of sky and land, doesn't live in custom-made shrines or need the human race to run errands for him, as if he couldn't take care of himself. He makes the creatures; the creatures don't make him. Starting from scratch, he made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn't play hide-and-seek with us. He's not remote; he's near. We live and move in him, can't get away from him! One of your poets said it well: 'We're the God-created.' Well, if we are the God-created, it doesn't make a lot of sense to think we could hire a sculptor to chisel a god out of stone for us, does it?
Security in God from problems
Psalm 140:12(The Message)
12-13 we know that you, God, are on the side of victims,
that you care for the rights of the poor.
And I know that the righteous personally thank you,
that good people are secure in your presence.
Perhaps this parable of Jesus reflects better than any His personal concept of the worth of man:
Luke 15:3-7 (The Message)
Luke 15
The Story of the Lost Sheep
1-3By this time a lot of men and women of doubtful reputation were hanging around Jesus, listening intently. The Pharisees and religion scholars were not pleased, not at all pleased. They growled, "He takes in sinners and eats meals with them, treating them like old friends." Their grumbling triggered this story.
4-7"Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn't you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, 'Celebrate with me! I've found my lost sheep!' Count on it—there's more joy in heaven over one sinner's rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue.
The lost sheep was worth seeking for, living for, and dying for.
John 3:16 (The Message)
6-18"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.
The individual was more important than the group.
Matthew 25:38-40 (The Message)
37-40"Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.'
Jesus had concern for the individual. He saw value in the individual
Luke 19:1-11 (The Message)
Luke 19
Zacchaeus
1-4Then Jesus entered and walked through Jericho. There was a man there, his name Zacchaeus, the head tax man and quite rich. He wanted desperately to see Jesus, but the crowd was in his way—he was a short man and couldn't see over the crowd. So he ran on ahead and climbed up in a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus when he came by.
5-7When Jesus got to the tree, he looked up and said, "Zacchaeus, hurry down. Today is my day to be a guest in your home." Zacchaeus scrambled out of the tree, hardly believing his good luck, delighted to take Jesus home with him. Everyone who saw the incident was indignant and grumped, "What business does he have getting cozy with this crook?"
8Zacchaeus just stood there, a little stunned. He stammered apologetically, "Master, I give away half my income to the poor—and if I'm caught cheating, I pay four times the damages."
9-10Jesus said, "Today is salvation day in this home! Here he is: Zacchaeus, son of Abraham! For the Son of Man came to find and restore the lost."
Jesus loved the worst of the worst
Luke 17:10-15 (The Message)
7-10"Suppose one of you has a servant who comes in from plowing the field or tending the sheep. Would you take his coat, set the table, and say, 'Sit down and eat'? Wouldn't you be more likely to say, 'Prepare dinner; change your clothes and wait table for me until I've finished my coffee; then go to the kitchen and have your supper'? Does the servant get special thanks for doing what's expected of him? It's the same with you. When you've done everything expected of you, be matter-of-fact and say, 'The work is done. What we were told to do, we did.'"
11-13It happened that as he made his way toward Jerusalem, he crossed over the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten men, all lepers, met him. They kept their distance but raised their voices, calling out, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"
14-16Taking a good look at them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests."
They went, and while still on their way, became clean.
Jesus taught no human condition has to be final
Mark 2:12-18 (The Message)
8-12Jesus knew right away what they were thinking, and said, "Why are you so skeptical? Which is simpler: to say to the paraplegic, 'I forgive your sins,' or say, 'Get up, take your stretcher, and start walking'? Well, just so it's clear that I'm the Son of Man and authorized to do either, or both . . ." (he looked now at the paraplegic