Counselling Promise Perils and Pitfalls for the Church

Counselling Promise, Perils and Pitfalls for the Church! Steve Motyer Course Leader, Theology and Counselling, London School of Theology

What we’re gonna do … • • • What is counselling? What types of counselling are there? What’s Christian counselling? How can it supplement the ministry of a local church? Perils & pitfalls … Questions and discussion

What is counselling? • Counselling is a boundaried, contractual relationship within which two people are wholly available to each other for the good of one, within a psychologically aware space, and under expert supervision.

Counselling is a boundaried, contractual relationship within which two people are wholly available to each other for the good of one, within a psychologically aware space, and under expert supervision. • • • Boundaried … Contractual … Relationship! Two for the good of one Psychologically aware Under supervision

What types of counselling are there? • Short-term, focussing on behaviours or • • distressing thoughts & feelings. ‘CBT’ Longer-term, addressing aspects of character and personality. Lots of ‘schools’ For couples and relationships Group counselling – addictions Doesn’t replace psychiatry! § — nor pastoral care

What’s Christian counselling? • All of the above – with the addition of • • • shared faith, dependence on the Holy Spirit and prayer! – possibly taking place in a church setting, or in a para-church organisation. Not really suitable as a form of evangelism! – except as an expression of care.

What difference does it make that it’s Christian? • • • Framed by prayer Subsidised by the local church? Relational connection in the Spirit The possibility of prayer together Drawing on the nourishment of Scripture and the rediscovery of God!

How can counselling fit into local church ministry? • Reaching out … a service to the locality. § A co-operative ministry? • Working within … a support to pastoral care. § Either on-staff or by using outside services • A regular resource for Christian growth! § Taking discipleship seriously … § And especially ministers …

Perils and pitfalls … • Confidentiality undermines fellowship? • “I went to counselling and it made me • • • worse!” Ignoring the work of the Holy Spirit? Downgrading the significance of sin? Disregarding the power of the Word to change people?

Some quotes … • “Counselling really helped me come to • • terms with the death of my father. ” “I value counselling because it has opened the door to self-understanding for me!” “Counselling uncovered areas of hurt I didn’t know were there! And helped me to find freedom from my automatic defences. ”

Over to you … let’s discuss