Planting or Counseling?

Why should we spend time counseling when we could be evangelizing or preaching? Isn't counseling something church planters "refer," not something church planters do? The answer to this question depends on how we define the word counsel. If we mean specialized sessions devoted to psychological issues that cannot be addressed by the gospel, then perhaps we shouldn't counsel. However, if we mean discipling others with gospel wisdom in the full range of human thinking, feeling, and behaving, then perhaps we should reconsider our default practice of referring.

Counseling Is a Responsibility

Missionally-minded, Type A people tend to look down on or overlook counseling. We dismiss its value or see it as an obstacle to mission. Our actions speak louder than words, often sending the message: "I'll save 'em; somebody else disciple 'em. Counseling isn't my gift." But this simply doesn't agree with the Bible. Counseling might not be your gift, but it is your responsibility. Even the greatest church planter, the Apostle Paul, had time for counseling. His letters are charged with gospel-centered counsel that springs from an intimate knowledge of people's everyday lives. Very often, his counsel is to counsel (Rom 15:14; Eph 5:25; Col 3:12-17; 3:12-13; 10:23). Peter, James, and the writer of Hebrews also counseled their churches, and counseled them to counsel. If we're biblically faithful, counseling is something that is required of all God's people, even church planters! To be continued.