Who is Called to Counsel?
The past several posts have been looking at the top three counseling methodologies; Secular, Biblical and Integrated. The question that arises, naturally, is, “Who is called and equipped to counsel?” If we are appealing to a secular or integrated model of counseling for our answers then we will always conclude as our culture has that counseling is entirely the work of a professional who has dedicated his life to intense study and development in order to bring some semblance of order to his patients and their disordered lives. In fact, for decades this idea of the ‘expert’ or ‘the specialist’ has become prevalent. In this mindset, the only person permitted to speak into my life is the one trained specifically to do so, but what does this mean for the church?
Over the past several years, this has meant that, if any counsel is to be given, either the pastor is the one who should provide it or, increasingly common, the pastor shouldn’t even try to provide counsel. Instead, they should refer their parishioner to a secular professional who can give them the care that they need. But then I think we need to ask; where does this leave the ordinary Christians in our churches? Biblical Counselors argue that counseling is an aspect of ministry to which God has called all believers in some form or fashion. He might not necessarily call all people to step into every possible counseling scenario, but the expectation is that, by the Power of the Holy Spirit and through the Word of God, Christ’s Body is competent to counsel.
Galatians 6:1 reads, “6 Brothers,[a] if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.”
Notice that Paul doesn’t say ‘Church leaders’ or ‘secular professionals’ here. He explicitly calls for ordinary brothers (and sisters) in Christ to this work. Then I think we have to add Paul's words in Romans 15:14, “14 I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.” amd Colossians 3:16, “16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Each of these passages is addressed to the members of the body of Christ; pastors and members alike. But I believe that it is important to note who Paul is not addressing here; he is not writing to any idea of a secular professional. His words are explicitly directed towards the men and women within these churches and, by extension, to each believer today.
Paul is filled with the assumption that God’s people are capable, by His power, do do three things; restore one another, instruct one another and admonish one another in Spirit and in truth. It’s important to note particularly that the word restore in Galatians 6:1 carries the sense of a fisherman restoring–or mending–a torn net. Here is something set aside for a specific purpose that has been damaged either by neglect or by intention that needs to be restored to its original purpose. How much more are we, as Christians, called by the Lord to step into the work of restoring our brothers and sisters caught in patterns of sin to their proper orientation before the Throne of God?
Three closing thoughts then:
All Christians have been called and equipped to counsel, teach and admonish in some way shape or form. This might be gospelling in an MC setting, discipling in your home, confronting sin in a Fight Club or seeking restoration in broken relationships. Glorifying Christ looks like recognizing the simplicity of counseling; bringing the truths of Scripture to bear on the lies of sin, calling others to faith and repentance and obeying the Lord in ministering to those around you.
This will not always be a call to a ‘formal counseling ministry’ and that’s perfectly okay. My goal is not to call you to be trained and work as a formal Biblical Counselor. If that is something that you feel the Lord could be calling you towards, let’s talk! I’d love to walk through that with you. But if not, the telos or goal of Biblical Counseling is to restore the mindset of counseling; to shift it from a secular professional model back to the evangelism and discipleship that God has created it to be.
Finally, do not hear me say that the goal of counseling is to seek out those in need of counsel. More often than not, it is about opening your eyes and walking by the Spirit to recognize those whom God has already put in your path. Again, it could be a coffee conversation, a Fight Club Meeting or a conversation with your children. Whatever this sphere or influence may be, the Lord has intentionally put you there to glorify Him by restoring your brother in a spirit of gentleness.
Again, if you have any questions or would like any more counseling resources, please feel free to email me at kevin@telosbc.com. I would love to talk to you, answer your questions and continue the work of restoring counseling to God’s people for God’s purposes.
