My Understanding of the Ministry of Counseling

Running Head : COUNSELING AND MINISTRY

My Understanding of the Ministry of Counseling (Name (College (Professor (Date

Abstract

The concept of "ministry " through the years has started to be narrowly identified only with

the religious and evangelical service . Counseling through traditional and scripture based

methods have become a matter of debate as to which one is more effective or even helpful

for the person seeking guidance and help . Which indeed is better Theories presented by men

or words written in the Scripture that impart God 's teachings . Does spiritual

well-being take

precedence over all other aspects of human life ? Ministry seeks to define the many ways

humans can help humans through ways both church-based or not

My Understanding of the Ministry of Counseling

David had served God 's purpose in his own generation ' Acts 13 :36

Ministry to me is equal to service of God and his Church . Beyond being a "leader " to his flock , ministry includes a personal commitment on the part of the minister to not only teach and spread God 's word but also set an example of how God 's words are applied to life . It requires a strong personal faith in the will of God and the Scripture , as well as a sensitivity to what not only the congregation 's needs but also the needs of the people around me

I believe that to minister is to make people aware of God 's presence Given this , ministry is not only achieved by preaching at the pulpit or enthusiastically exhorting a gathered crowd to believe . Simply by being there and helping people to the best that I can using God 's gifts even when there is no practical reason for me to do so is I believe part of ministry . How so ? It makes people believe that God helps out one way or another

It also alleviates people from worries that may be blocking their appreciation of God 's love as well as hindering them from fully immersing in their faith . It includes building relations with people in the congregation so that they may be put at ease should time come and they need help . Ministry is not so much limited in one 's rhetoric ability or bombastic approach when addressing a crowd . It is not simply an encyclopedic knowledge of the Scriptures or the constant utterances of biblical passages . It is the minister 's availability and presence that makes for ministry . I believe ministry is also to stand witness to God 's presence and love . Not because I am there but because God has sent his servant to help his people in their time of need

In the book of Genesis , God gave man stewardship of the world around him . Man has stewardship of creation (Genesis 1 :28 . One also has to look at it that humans are also part of creation . It would make sense therefore that humans should look after and care for other humans under God 's edict

Counseling and Ministry

One of...