Letter

First, I would like to commend your book and newsletter.  I  have experienced firsthand the truth that you talk about.  As someone who has had a lifelong history of severe depression, hospitalizations, medications and all sorts of psychotherapies, I came to the Lord 7 years ago and through focusing on Christ and His word, was able to stop all medications and live a life of joy rather than despair.  

My question: You speak of receiving counseling through Church.  What do you see as the most effective means for that? 

In addition to being able to meet with a Pastor, would you see value in lay counseling from fellow church members?  For instance, a support/counseling group where women could get together to share their burdens and be built up in the word and in prayer?  Or, is it most effective just to teach the word and keep the focus on the word only? 

Also, what is your view of ministries such as the Stephen ministry, where lay counselors meet with people in need one on one? 

Thank you and bless you!

Response

Thank you for the kind email. Paul's epistles contain many "one another" verses that relate to helping and counseling one another. In the context of these verses we believe that both church leadership and laypeople who know their Bibles and who depend on the Holy Spirit to lead and guide their attitude and words should be doing the counseling within a local church. We talk more about this in Chapter 12 of our book ("The Royal Priesthood"). The Stephen ministry also sounds right in line with what we talk about in this chapter.

We believe a major reason why Christians are turning to secular and "Christian" psychologists is because we as a church have neglected this vital ministry of counseling one another, so help seekers turn to the self-professed "professionals" who frequently end up doing more harm than good.

 

Lisa and Ryan Bazler

www.psychologydebunked.com