Page 93 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 8

Christian Psychology alive

As societies evolve, life challenges faced by well as influence the wellbeing of the commu-
people more complex than they were in the nity.
previous decades. Individuals, families and Although members have faith in their church,
communities are faced with problems such as it is possible that there are times when their
unemployment, poverty, substance abuse, do- situation is not dealt with correctly or the pa-
mestic abuse, political unrest, technological stor/church counsellor feels unequipped to deal
advancement, climate change, chronic illnesses, with the presenting issue. This can create the
and so on. These have led to the need for more sense that maybe the church is not a safe ha-
specialised counselling skills and practices. Bi- ven for them and consequently this can affect
blical counselling in churches has shown much their faith as well as the meaning they assign to
benefit in helping people as it takes into account life. Brenner (2003, p. 64) stated “struggles as-
the person as a holistic being, including the spi- sociated with the search for meaning in life or
ritual aspect as well as body and mind. This is with the quest for identity, wholeness or even
necessary to treat the whole person. In relation fulfilment, all contain spiritual elements”. This
to the more complex problems people face, at can also be detrimental to the community that
times Biblical counselling could fall short in that the member is part of, especially if their faith
people often not only need biblical guidance or determines their worldview as well as how they
deliverance in dealing with their problems, but relate to the society they are in.
also need practical steps to get them through
their challenging life-situations. Resources used in Biblical counselling are main-
ly prayer, Scripture, the sacraments, anointing
“No pastor, regardless of training, can choose oil, the laying on of hands, the exercise of spi-
whether or not to counsel with people”…”people ritual gifts and devotional/religious literature.
will bring their problems to the pastor whose There are limitations within the setting which
choice is not between counselling and not coun- must be recognized and addressed. For example
selling, but between counselling in a disciplined if pastoral / biblical counsellors are confronted
and skilled way and counselling in an undisci- with mental and behavioural disorders, these
plined and unskilled way” (Collins, 2007, p.33). should be referred to a psychologist or psych-
Collins (2007) adds to this by stating that it is iatrist. Time constraints in biblical counselling
still a difficult task to counsel in a disciplined setting are also a challenge as counselling often
and skilled way. Nyandoro (2010) further sta- happens after a church service or depend on
ted that “the problems we encounter appear to counsellor availability. Thus sessions are un-
be more diverse, the culture is changing quik- structured in terms of time and expectations.
kly, and the needs are unending” (p.73) and it There are also challenges presented by biblical
is necessary to implement techniques that are counsellors interacting with the counselee in a
going to be beneficial to the times. For a Chri- variety of places for example at church, home,
stian community, spending time in the Bible place of business or leisure. Measures to assure
and prayer is essential for encouragement and confidentiality and privacy of counselee’s infor-
hope. Being taught and equipped spiritually by mation are usually not guaranteed. Counsellor
attending church meetings is also necessary. In can for example publicly do a prayer request for
this way knowledge and practical application of a counselee while divulging the nature of their
biblical principles are taught. To have the Holy problem (Bruni, 2015).
Spirit as Counsellor and Comforter is also ne-
cessary. Often however, these essentials do not Brenner (2003) in his research found that only
bring the relief that some may need, as they are 13 percent of the pastors contacted reported that
just not at the place yet where they can make they felt adequately prepared for their counsel-
these practices part of their everyday lives, and ling responsibilities and 87 percent reported a
use these to bring or facilitate wellbeing. The need for further training in pastoral counsel-
changing times usher in new sets of problems ling. The pastors further mentioned that they
that often complicate the counselling process as needed more specific help with what to do with

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