Counseling in the Church

1- The PRIMACY of the church

How important is the local church to God’s program today?

*The church is the only religious organization that is ordained by God for this dispensation.

-Matthew 16:18

Does biblical counseling need to be done in a church to be effective?

*All counseling, to be biblical, must be under the authority of the church with the objective of integrating the individual into the church.

-Acts 2:41-42

-Ephesians 1:22-23

-Ephesians 4:11ff

-1 Timothy 3:15

2- The PLACE of counseling in the church.

What part of a church’s whole philosophy of ministry should biblical counseling play?

*Biblical counseling is not one thing a church does, it is what a church is.

-Matthew 28:19-20 making disciples

How does a church’s perspective and placement of counseling manifest its philosophy?

*Biblical counseling is to be a part of every ministry of the church.

-Ephesians 4:12-16

*A church with a low view of biblical counseling will have a low view of sanctification, and vice versa

-Colossians 1:28-29

-2 Timothy 3:16-17

CHURCH LEADERSHIP and counseling

Who should be involved in biblical counseling?

*Biblical counseling, which is discipleship, is for every Christian…including pastors and deacons.

-Ephesians 4:12-16

Who will benefit from the church’s counseling ministry?

*The leadership of the church is to lead by example and train others for the purpose of the members developing a church of disciples.

-Colossians 1:28

-1 Thessalonians 5:14

-1 Timothy 4:12

How can church members get involved with counseling?

*Study the Word of God, be involved in your local church, attend training when possible

*Be compassionate, be involved, be concerned