Why Church-based Counseling?
“A partial list of the struggles which our sin brings includes marital conflicts, depression, anxiety, vocational problems, financial stress, addiction, grief, domestic violence, abuse, temper, sexual identity problems…and more.” These, as well as fallen-world struggles such as miscarriage, disease and depression “can often become life crushing, and the person’s attempts to meet them may result in fear, anxiety, anger, guilt, shame or despair. A believer may be tempted to despise his struggle rather than address it honestly and grow in grace…A church counseling ministry becomes a declaration that the believer’s struggle is not illegitimate, but a means of spiritual growth and development. Maturity does not come full blown into a believer’s life, but often starts with a first step into an authentic struggle with life’s demands. When a church validates this struggle by implementing a counseling ministry, believers respond and begin to share their concerns.” ~Gary Rupp
Our willingness to be honest about our sins and struggles, as well as the comfort of Christ received through the Spirit, will be the precise point of contact which connects with another’s need (2 Cor.1:4). Our brokenness thus becomes a doorway, not only to our growth and change, but to introduce others to Christ.