COUNSELING

The counseling area is a persistently problematic area, and there are surprising statistics of admitted improprieties by ministers in a counseling setting.

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Be sure to note that the term counseling has been given broad definition by some courts, including, but not limited to, a telephone call, tarrying after church, talking to a minister, or a young person talking to a youth pastor.

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Be sure that you study some good sources on counseling, to understand some boundaries about counseling.

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The main point that should be made about counseling is that our ministers must make their counseling spiritual, unless the minister is a licensed professional. Spiritual counseling is defined as based on an understanding of scripture, and not rooted in psychotherapeutic principles.

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Be sure that the person you are counseling with understands that you may have to disclose certain facts told to you, such as commission of crimes or a child abuse. Also, counseling should be done only during church hours, with others there. Sessions for counseling should not last over 45 minutes, and the number of sessions a year should be limited.

If one of your ministers sees that he is over his head in a counseling relationship, he should get out of that relationship as soon as possible and refer that person to a qualified and trained professional.