Comments on: A Pastor’s Dilemma: Responsibilities, Limitations and Questions to Ask About Counseling http://rhettsmith.com/2009/11/a-pastors-dilemma-responsibilities-limitations-and-questions-to-ask-about-counseling/ Thu, 10 May 2012 14:59:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Rhett Smith http://rhettsmith.com/2009/11/a-pastors-dilemma-responsibilities-limitations-and-questions-to-ask-about-counseling/comment-page-1/#comment-8398 Rhett Smith Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:21:13 +0000 http://rhettsmith.com/?p=3363#comment-8398 Gary, Thanks for stopping by. Yeah, I should have written some stuff in the post about the effectiveness of counseling in the church, and when it is good to do that. Because there are definitely times the pastor is equipped to handle it and do very well with it. I would like to see a greater network of mental health and church pastors working together..... Rhett Gary,
Thanks for stopping by. Yeah, I should have written some stuff in the post about the effectiveness of counseling in the church, and when it is good to do that. Because there are definitely times the pastor is equipped to handle it and do very well with it. I would like to see a greater network of mental health and church pastors working together…..

Rhett

]]> By: Rhett Smith http://rhettsmith.com/2009/11/a-pastors-dilemma-responsibilities-limitations-and-questions-to-ask-about-counseling/comment-page-1/#comment-8397 Rhett Smith Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:19:45 +0000 http://rhettsmith.com/?p=3363#comment-8397 Matt, Thanks man. It's true, what classes will seminaries be willing to give up in order to add some other training. None probably, which usually ends up making it longer and more expensive. There are usually some very practical aspects missing in the education such as finances, administrative and counseling...things pastors are required to do a lot of. Thanks for coming by. Rhett Matt,

Thanks man. It’s true, what classes will seminaries be willing to give up in order to add some other training. None probably, which usually ends up making it longer and more expensive. There are usually some very practical aspects missing in the education such as finances, administrative and counseling…things pastors are required to do a lot of.

Thanks for coming by.

Rhett

]]> By: Gary Reed http://rhettsmith.com/2009/11/a-pastors-dilemma-responsibilities-limitations-and-questions-to-ask-about-counseling/comment-page-1/#comment-8394 Gary Reed Sun, 29 Nov 2009 03:57:37 +0000 http://rhettsmith.com/?p=3363#comment-8394 Rhett, you see the complexity of trying to help people who come to the church. I appreciate your concerns here and reasoning. I have counseled in churches for almost 20 years as a professional and biblical counselor. I see both sides of why pastors do and do not refer, though we as ministry leaders must take a serious look at how we assist those who seek help. I like what Larry Crabb said back in the early 90's, something like, people come to the church for help, then we refer them out (like we can't help them). To counsel people who come to the church for help is ideal, though within the training of the counselor. When professional and biblical counseling is not possible withing the church setting, referring the church member or attender out to a Christian counselor is the next best thing. Since we don't live in a perfect world or a perfect church, as a Christian community, we must work together as Christians and churches to help those needing wise counsel. I believe this is my calling as a Christ follower in my community of St Charles, MO. .-= Gary Reed´s last undefined ..<a href="0" rel="nofollow">If you register your site for free at </a> =-. Rhett, you see the complexity of trying to help people who come to the church. I appreciate your concerns here and reasoning. I have counseled in churches for almost 20 years as a professional and biblical counselor. I see both sides of why pastors do and do not refer, though we as ministry leaders must take a serious look at how we assist those who seek help.

I like what Larry Crabb said back in the early 90′s, something like, people come to the church for help, then we refer them out (like we can’t help them). To counsel people who come to the church for help is ideal, though within the training of the counselor. When professional and biblical counseling is not possible withing the church setting, referring the church member or attender out to a Christian counselor is the next best thing.

Since we don’t live in a perfect world or a perfect church, as a Christian community, we must work together as Christians and churches to help those needing wise counsel. I believe this is my calling as a Christ follower in my community of St Charles, MO.
.-= Gary Reed´s last undefined ..If you register your site for free at =-.

]]> By: Fortuitous Bouncing « Man of Depravity http://rhettsmith.com/2009/11/a-pastors-dilemma-responsibilities-limitations-and-questions-to-ask-about-counseling/comment-page-1/#comment-8393 Fortuitous Bouncing « Man of Depravity Sat, 28 Nov 2009 12:50:51 +0000 http://rhettsmith.com/?p=3363#comment-8393 [...] Rhett Smith has his usual great thoughts, this time on a pastor’s responsibilities and counseling. [...] [...] Rhett Smith has his usual great thoughts, this time on a pastor’s responsibilities and counseling. [...]

]]> By: Matt @ The Church of No People http://rhettsmith.com/2009/11/a-pastors-dilemma-responsibilities-limitations-and-questions-to-ask-about-counseling/comment-page-1/#comment-8391 Matt @ The Church of No People Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:09:20 +0000 http://rhettsmith.com/?p=3363#comment-8391 Hey Rhett, just discovered your blog and really enjoying it. It's amazing to me how much more is expected of today's pastors, yet the training is sort of behind the curve. You can't really give up classical Bible training to make room for other disciplines, so pastors are many times just sort of good at several different things. That's why a lot of churches demand the pastor be a Doctor of something. Can't wait to read more. Keep up the good work. Hey Rhett, just discovered your blog and really enjoying it. It’s amazing to me how much more is expected of today’s pastors, yet the training is sort of behind the curve. You can’t really give up classical Bible training to make room for other disciplines, so pastors are many times just sort of good at several different things. That’s why a lot of churches demand the pastor be a Doctor of something.

Can’t wait to read more. Keep up the good work.

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