COMPETENT TO COUNSEL
"Teaching the ordinary layperson how to help others in times of personal crisis.”
"Personally, I am convinced about you, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, amply filled with all [spiritual] knowledge, and competent to admonish and counsel and instruct one another."
Romans 15:14 - Amplified Bible
Our society today, post 9/11 and in the this 'post' pandemic period is hurting deeply, and many are increasingly looking to God for answers for daily living. Many in our churches and communities suffer alone and wonder if anyone cares.
It is our belief that God wants to work through His body, “The Church” to bring help, hope, and comfort to hurting people everywhere and therefore, the role of the skilled lay counselor becomes increasingly significant.
Paul's teaching in Romans 15:14 focuses on the Christians ability to provide counsel and for the purpose of our training it is simply stated... "pastoral or lay counseling training that is based on the Bible and focused on Christ." that appropriately integrates secular approaches to people helping as needed.
It is our belief that God wants to work through His body, “The Church” to bring help, hope, and comfort to hurting people everywhere and therefore, the role of the skilled lay counselor becomes increasingly significant.
Paul's teaching in Romans 15:14 focuses on the Christians ability to provide counsel and for the purpose of our training it is simply stated... "pastoral or lay counseling training that is based on the Bible and focused on Christ." that appropriately integrates secular approaches to people helping as needed.
THE SPIRITUAL GIFT OF ENCOURAGEMENT
“If it is encouraging, let him encourage”
Romans 12:8 -NIV
The Biblical meaning is to call someone near to console, comfort, exhort, implore with them. Although the goal of this gift is to comfort, motivate and give reason for hope,
there is the element of exhortation pointing to the future. The goal is to encourage the believers be what God wants them to be.
A person with this gift is moved when they see someone down and likes to comfort them and motivate them toward change. They share hope for the future. The nature of this gift is similar to dispensing medicine. It is a singular action used in the moment hopefully to bring about a long-term effect.
Benefits
This gift is good in helping with morale, motivating people toward action and making people feel that they are part of a group. This is an important part of love in action and is often the most memorable part of a ministry to hurting people.
Pitfalls
There is a temptation to give a person a “quick-fix” and not truly listen to their problems. We can end up giving pat answers in the form of spiritual jargon and formulas instead of empathy and caring. When it is more our need “to encourage” than to really minister to someone, we can tend to avoid real spiritual solutions.
DO YOU HAVE THE GIFT OF ENCOURAGEMENT?
Are you a Christian Woman who finds herself in situations where you often come alongside hurting people in personal or relational crisis or transitions to offer hope, help and guidance?
If so, you may have The Gift of Encouragement and I invite you to enroll in our lay-counseling training "How Can I Help?" that is designed to equip you to know how to minister help and hope to someone facing a personal challenge.
Are you a Christian Woman who finds herself in situations where you often come alongside hurting people in personal or relational crisis or transitions to offer hope, help and guidance?
If so, you may have The Gift of Encouragement and I invite you to enroll in our lay-counseling training "How Can I Help?" that is designed to equip you to know how to minister help and hope to someone facing a personal challenge.
YOU CAN BE THE ONE TO COME ALONG SIDE THOSE THAT ARE HURTING.
"Praise be to he Fod and Father of our lord Jesus Christ, the Father o compassion adh the od of all comfort, who comforts us in al our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the confot we ourselves have received from God.
II Corinthians 1:3-4 - NIV
"Praise be to he Fod and Father of our lord Jesus Christ, the Father o compassion adh the od of all comfort, who comforts us in al our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the confot we ourselves have received from God.
II Corinthians 1:3-4 - NIV