Suppose Tara, age thirty, shares the following story with you: She experienced a breakup with her boyfriend, Derek, about two months ago. She was crushed, because she thought they might eventually get married. Tara describes her extreme disappointment and a desire to move on with her life. She hopes to be happy for Derek when he does find someone else to spend his life with, … [Read more...]
The emotionally intelligent pastor, part 1: How emotionally intelligent are you?
Brent is a twentysomething seminary student who comes for counseling because of a growing concern expressed by his wife, Monica. She thinks he comes across at times as cold or insensitive. Although that is a sufficient reason to seek counseling, she presses even further. Monica argues that since he wants to be a pastor, she is concerned that his emotional cluelessness would be … [Read more...]
Why should you ask church members questions about pop culture?
When you sit down with someone in your church, perhaps someone who is struggling with marital strife due to alcohol abuse or anxiety after a job loss or a prolonged depression, how much time do you take to “enter into the person’s world”? Over the course of pastoral counseling, do you take the time to learn about how the person interacts with popular culture in its various … [Read more...]
7 ways to use CareLeader.org in your ministry
We’ve been producing CareLeader.org for just over a year now. During that time a number of you have let me know how you’re using CareLeader.org to equip your own care leaders. I’ve listed a few of your ideas (and a few of my own) to come up with seven ways you can use CareLeader.org’s content in your church. Preparation for counseling sessions: If you went to seminary, … [Read more...]
Preaching or counseling?
In pastoral ministry, are preaching and counseling complementary ways of proclaiming Christ? Is one more important than the other? Or is one essential and the other less so? Seminary students and pastors are by no means unanimous in their answers. Definitions matter, especially here. Preaching, as I am using it, is public ministry—the public proclamation of Jesus—in which … [Read more...]
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