4th September, 2008

RUSSELL STUBBINGS

In an ideal world there would be no need for Christian counsellors in the church. While this seems like a very black and white statement, unfortunately, the less than ideal nature of our world, impacted enormously by the sinful, fallen nature of mankind, does necessitate the ministry of Christian counsellors.

PICTURE: ilker (www.sxc.hu) "Christian counsellors, working under the leading of the Holy Spirit, are essential in the church. While the Holy Spirit is the best counsellor, the fallen nature of humanity validates the existence of gifted counsellors able to come alongside and exhort using Scripture and prayer to help bring healing and growth in others."

In 1992 Barry Chant penned an article which correctly describes the Holy Spirit as the best and most effective counsellor. As the parakletos who performs the same work as Jesus (John 14:16), the Holy Spirit is indeed able to reveal God to man, illuminate the Word, and “be an agent of healing, encouragement, peace, love, forgiveness, enlightenment, strength, power, goodness, hope, joy, the presence of the Lord”. These aspects of the Spirit’s working are implicit in the meaning of parakletos, being comforter, supporter, advocate, helper, and significantly, counsellor. Given the fact that the Holy Spirit is not limited by time or space, His counsel is available to all at any time. Despite the availability of the Holy Spirit as the ultimate counsellor, however, there is still a need for Christian counsellors in the church for a number of reasons.

The model of Scripture

The precedent provided in Scripture is that God works through humans. Throughout the New Testament disciples of Christ are chosen by God to teach, preach, evangelise, heal, and minister in a variety of ways. Certainly these roles could all be better carried out by the Holy Spirit as the one who guides believers into all truth (John 16:13). Yet, under the anointing of the Spirit, flawed believers such as Peter, Paul, and Timothy are charged to preach, teach and minister to others. Barnabas demonstrated the ability to exhort (counsel) in his interactions with the Apostle Paul and John Mark, precedence for Christians adopting similar roles in contemporary church life. The Apostle Paul counselled both in person and through his letters applying Scriptural truth to specific problems. Paul’s use of Scriptural truth to confront issues is a clear model for Christian counselling.

The example of Jesus

Jesus is the wonderful counsellor promised in Isaiah 9:6, the first paraclete from whom the Holy Spirit followed. Scripture reveals Jesus ministering, meeting needs, offering counsel, convicting, challenging, and interacting with hurting, struggling humans. Does this example of Jesus as the pre-eminent counsellor provide support for the existence of counsellors in the church? As disciples of Christ, desiring to be like Him, we are urged by Scripture to grow in Godliness (1 Tim 4:7), and put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Col 3:12). The Apostle Paul exhorts believers to imitate him as he in turn imitates Christ (1Cor. 11:1), a charge that compels believers to similarly teach, exhort, disciple and encourage others. Contemporary Christian counsellors should use discernment and take people beyond where they are at, following the example set by Jesus.

The fallen nature of humanity

Ideally, people should be so in tune with the Holy Spirit that external help is not required. However, humans are fallen creatures, prone to sin, and often out of step with the work of the Spirit in their lives. In many instances the mind of the believer is less than receptive. Sin can be a barrier preventing the Holy Spirit from exercising control in the life of a believer. Counselling can be likened to spiritual consultation as a means of bringing lives into line with the word of God. Christian counsellors can facilitate the work of the Spirit in the lives of others through prayer and the ministry of the Word. This does place a compulsion on those desiring to work in this field to be devoted to the Word, committed to prayer, and open to the leading and guiding of the Spirit.

Counselling is a spiritual gift

The Bible describes counselling as a gift of the Spirit. Romans 12:8 refers to the spiritual gift of exhortation, derived form the Greek word paraklesis, meaning to come alongside to help. This is the role of the counsellor. The implication is of someone spiritually equipped to encourage, support, comfort, and admonish, similar to the work of Jesus. The Holy Spirit Himself gifts certain believers to be able to come alongside others who may be struggling and assist them through difficult times. While all Christians are called to bear each others burdens (Galatians 6:2), do good to all people (Galatians 6:10), and comfort and edify each other (1Thessalonians 5:11), a select group of believers are gifted by the Spirit to counsel and exhort. The gift of exhortation is the special ability available to meet the needs of those in the church who require comfort, encouragement, and counsel. From this perspective Christian counsellors, gifted by the Spirit, are essential for helping others grow and mature in Christ.

The role of the Holy Spirit is underestimated in some faith traditions

Barry Chant, in his 1992 article, argues that Christians in general underestimate the role of the Holy Spirit, whilst some faith traditions virtually ignore the Spirit. Certainly, some traditions deny the powerful working of the Spirit in the modern era, limiting this aspect of the Spirit’s role to the time of the early church. Underestimating the power of the Holy Spirit can result in believers failing to fully benefit from His strengthening, convicting and encouraging ministry. The implication is that not only are Christian counsellors necessary to facilitate the work of the Spirit in the lives of others, but that they must be in tune with the Holy Spirit in order to be fully effective.

Christian counsellors, working under the leading of the Holy Spirit, are essential in the church. While the Holy Spirit is the best counsellor, the fallen nature of humanity validates the existence of gifted counsellors able to come alongside and exhort using Scripture and prayer to help bring healing and growth in others.

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