Last week I finished an online course entitled, “Ministerial Counseling,” part of my graduate studies through Freed-Hardeman University. As many of you know, I take these courses from time to time to try to improve my service as a gospel preacher, and I appreciate the support and encouragement you provide as I try to improve my efforts to serve you. It is estimated that gospel preachers in the Lord’s church spend approximately eight hours each week in what could properly be described as counseling. I found this course particularly helpful. Although I have never labeled myself as a professional counselor, it seems that more and more I am called upon to counsel and give private, biblical assistance to members of the church who are dealing with difficult problems.
All Christians are counselors, although they may not be designated by that title. Paul instructed the individual members of the churches of Galatia to bear each other’s spiritual burdens, “and so fulfill the law of Christ,” (Gal. 1:1-2; 6:2). We are assisting others with their spiritual burdens if we are fulfilling the law of Christ. Ministers in particular are often called upon to assist those who are dealing with depression, anxiety, and a host of spiritual challenges. Jesus saw the crowds around him as “sheep not having a shepherd,” (Mt. 9:36), and he frequently embraced his role as “the good shepherd” who compassionately guided, assisted, and protected the flock, (Jn. 10:7ff; cf. Ps. 23; Ez. 34). In the ministerial context, the counselor’s work is akin to the elders who “feed” the sheep, provide necessary teaching and encouragement, and assist them in dealing with life’s spiritual issues, (1 Tim. 4:16; 2 Tim. 2:24-26; 4:1-4). The minister’s work is patterned after that of the Savior, the “Wonderful Counselor” who came “to proclaim release to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,” (Is. 9:6; 28:29; Lk. 4:18). Jesus’ interventions in the lives of those around him were usually brief, strategic, and solution-focused. Because of the need to make the best use of limited time, and the large number of members often seeking the minister’s counsel, it is important to note and follow Jesus’ example of brevity and strategic intervention, (cf. Col. 4:5; Eph. 5:16).
As recipients and beneficiaries of God’s meaningful comfort, Christians are in a unique position to render aid and comfort to others. The apostle Paul taught that all true comfort originates with God the Father, and that he provides comfort in our times of affliction so that we may be able to comfort others, (2 Cor. 1:3-7). The ministerial counselor recognizes that God desires for his people a happy, healthy, and productive life. Paul recognized the various members of the church as a functioning body, where each part plays a vital role (1 Cor. 12:12ff), and promised that God would not permit his people to be tempted above their ability to endure, but will provide a “way of escape,” so that the problem may be successfully managed, (1 Cor. 10:13). The Solution-Focused ministerial counselor is, in the brief time available, assisting others to rise above their debilitating difficulties, and achieve the full and “abundant life” God desires for them, (Jn. 10:10).
-by Robert C. Veil, Jr.
