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THE MINISTER AS A COUNSELOR
Man is a complex being. His nature and problems are also of a complex nature. Christians are not left out in this phenomenon hence in Romans 8:22-23 we read:
“For we know that the whole creation groaneth ant travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they but ourselves also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, that is the redemption of our body.
Therefore, the person who will offer helpful counsel to him in different areas of life must be balanced.
The pastor is looked upon to provide counseling ministry (which is a part of his calling); as well as training his leaders for it. In fact every pastor should be a counselor. Do not be satisfied with sermons, no matter how powerful they mighty sound.
As the local church pastor you should understand that majority of people who are sitting before you on Sundays are frustrated,, confused, worried, sick and desperate individuals who want some personal touch of their shepherd.
They are waiting for you to care and ask.
They may be afraid to meet you but do not be too busy to ask how they are faring. Success in the pulpit is won in the pew, privately.
Abandon the volcanic preaching that is used as weapons on those who have shown sign of dislike for you.
It is just like a wife who sings proverbial choruses when she quarrels with the husband; such things only fan the embers of contention.
As you approach them one by one you will discover their deepest need and level of their growth which will help you plan how to help them to overcome or to cope with the situation as case may be.
You will find out why some are:
a. Sleeping over your (message) sermon.
b. Do not understand what you are talking about.
c. Not even hearing you.
d. Refused to take you or your words serious.
e. Adopting “finish quick and let me go” attitude.
f. Not allowing your Sermons to change their lives.
The art of reaching people’s heart with the gospel is not an easy one with many changes taking place in the Society, peoples lives are also affected by these changes and their reactions to the issues of life change from time to time.
To reach the people at all times and influence their lives with the gospel, the Pastor/counselor should adopt a method by which he can personally have time with his members.
There should be more in the pastoral work than preaching on people’s heads on Sundays.
The Pastor should have a Counseling office where he treats personal problems. To shepherd his flock, the Pastor/counselor should have a wide knowledge about the things that affect and influence people’s lives.
However, be careful while counseling the opposite sex.
The job of counseling is both a unique and risky one. The devil knows what God has called you to do for humanity so he will surely send his messengers sometimes to destroy you.
Touching is very wonderful instrument of communication. You can instinctively transmit a lot of message without words, just by touching and handling. This is more so between the opposite sex.
The sin of fornication and adultery is a destructive one. It is a personality killer. This terrible sin has upset so many spiritual giants and brought to nothing their spiritual exploits.
Both the word of God and secular history are full of stories of great men who became failures because of fornication and adultery.
And these stories are being repeated among notable men of God today.
The Christian counselor must be on guard. In the first place you are not an angel. Therefore do not trust your flesh rather take precautions. In fact a lot of things are happening behind closed doors during unguarded hours of some Christian counselors.
Therefore do not touch or lay your hands on the counselee any how, except during prayers if you are led to do so.
Note:
fornication and adultery starts with the eyes and hands.
The best the counselor can do is to:
a. Walk in the spirit.
Galatians 5:16-17.
b. Equip yourself with the word of God in order to fight against any evil thought the devil might raise in the process. Psalms 119:11.
c. Put on the whole Armour of God. Ephesians 6:10-18.
If you discover that your clients is a source of temptation, please terminate the interview or present the gospel as a defense.
The devil cannot succeed in tricking us if we pay heed to these instructions. Resist any move to touch your counselee, especially if she is a woman.
Refer any medical problems to the doctor.
Finally don’t counsel your clients especially woman with the door or curtain closed. At most if you are a married person let your wife be around in some cases.
LEARN FROM JESUS THE GREAT COUNSELOR:
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Christ Jesus in fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy, for three and half years ministered, here on earth as a wonderful counselor.
He guided. Instructed, Rebuked, Encourage and Taught the people.
Christ as our model counselor touched some troubled people, cried with some, rebuked some and comforted some etc. he was direct with some.
For a Biblical picture of Jesus Christ as a counselor see
John Chapters 3,4,9,11.
Jesus Christ is still dwelling invisible in his church today in the person of the Holy Spirit carrying out His counseling ministry.
Before he left his disciple back to heaven, He assured them that he would request the father to send another “counselor”allon parakletos” (John 14:16).
This Greek word here allon is translated “another” or “kind” and parakletos means comforter or counselor. So Jesus Christ is still doing His work of counseling now in the person of the Holy Spirit.
This is why in a real Christian counseling; the Holy Spirit is the principal person. He (the Holy Spirit) is the senior partner to Christian counseling situation.
The power, the wisdom and success in Christian counseling depends mainly on this senior partner to the counselor.
The following are passages we should be studied for they contain how Jesus treated different types of people who came to him as a counselor when he was here on earth.
- The sinner:
John 31-17;
Luke 7:36-39; 47, 50;
Luke 19:1-10;
Matthew 9:10-12;
The rejected and condemned sinner by those who claimed to be righteous people, were joyfully received or welcome by Jesus the wonderful counselor.
- The Backsliders:
John 21:3-7
By responding to the current or immediate needs of people. Jesus prayed for Peter and lovingly restored him back when he took some of the disciples to the river for fishing, so that through him others will come back to their sole responsibility.
- The sick:
John 5:1-9, 14; Mark 1:33-34;
Our Lord Jesus Christ the great counselor healed many sick people.
- The sorrowful ones:
Luke 7:15; 8:41-42, 49-57;
John. 11:28-36;
Jesus brought consolation and hope to those who were sorrowful.
- The hungry ones:
Matt. 14:15-21; Matthew 15:32-39; John 6:1-15;
Jesus expressed his feelings to the physical need of the people and did all to help them.
- The confused and discouraged:
Luke 24:13-35.
The Lord Jesus Christ revealed himself to his two confused and discouraged disciples after his resurrection to inspire faith and hope in them.
- The religious people:
Matthew 22:15-22; John 7:44-46.
With the prayer and the word of God confirmed by the Holy Spirit he was able to meet the need, solve the problems, identified with some and gave answer to others and in so doing met the need and gave solution to the problems of everybody that came across him.
As Christian counselors there are much to learn from Christ counsel-method in these passages.