A man or woman comes into your office with a refrain you’ve heard too many times: “Pastor, this marriage isn’t working, and I think it’s best if my spouse and I part ways.” And then come the reasons—excuses—as to why this decision seems best. How will you address the excuses? What can you say that might make a difference? Here are five excuses that I’ve heard from people … [Read more...]
Pastoral counseling is not a game show
Pastoral counseling is not a game show like Wheel of Fortune or Name That Tune, where the object is to buzz in with the right answer having just a minimum of clues. While the pastor certainly recognizes that there are recurring themes in people’s lives and some common patterns in certain behaviors and problems, good counseling and good listening in general strive to hear and … [Read more...]