Introduction
For many years, the idea of counseling (no matter the approach) has been perceived as an intervention where a counselor and counselee come together in a formal setting to work through a series of problems. Although this is the case in many counseling scenarios (and rightfully so), this perception has (in actuality) been destructive toward the very essence of a biblical approach and understanding of counseling. Since “Biblical counseling is about solving people’s problems” and “discovering the causes of their problems and then applying biblical principles to those causes,”[1] then (as author Richard Ganz contends), “this is not primarily the responsibility of a biblical counselor but of the Church.”[2] This charge to the Church is not based solely off of Ganz’ experience or beliefs. Rather, this charge is fundamentally biblical. Paul urges that the Church “grow(s) up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ” by “speaking the truth in love” (NASB: Eph 4:15). This means that the “whole body” is to walk of the same mind (in Christ) by holding each other accountable to righteous living before the Lord (as Paul does in much of his epistles) and bearing each other’s burdens (Gal 6:1-2). For too long, there has been a destructive dichotomy between the body of Christ and biblical counseling. It is time for the Church to reclaim unity in the Spirit and confrontation that “speaks the truth in love” and bears the burdens of one another as it restores those who need restoration.
Why the Local Church is the Ideal Context for the Practice of Biblical Counseling
If one were to answer this question in the simplest of approaches, all that would need be said is that it is biblical. There is a consistent theme throughout the New Testament epistles that urges and even commands the Church to walk in the unity of the Spirit by holding one another accountable to righteous living and bearing each other’s burdens. Author Richard Ganz notes that “Few of them [people within the Church] realize that the Church itself, under the Holy Spirit’s direction, is active in the process of restoration.”[3] This, then, poses the question: how do we (as the body of Christ) reclaim public counsel and promote corporate confrontation and restoration within the Church? Firstly, we must note the latter half of Ganz’ statement. It is essential that the Church spends time in prayer seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit. It is certainly the case that many secular counselors see little to no lasting change within their counselee’s due to the lack of Holy Spirit guidance and sanctification. It is quite foolish to believe that one fallen man can counsel another fallen man in righteous living. The opposite of this truth is what makes the Church the ideal place for counseling. That is, a corporate body of regenerate men seeking Holy Spirit guidance and restoring one another with His help and the sanctification that is taking place within their own lives. It is now that we shift our attention to the ways that the ministry and mission of the Church compliment the ministry of biblical counseling.
How the Ministry and Mission of the Church Compliments the Ministry of Biblical Counseling
We see perhaps the clearest command in regard to disciples of Jesus Christ given in Matthew 28:19-20. Jesus tells His disciples (which is any follower of Christ both then and now) to “make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I [He] has [have] commanded you [us]” (NASB: Matt 28:19-20). Knowing that this is the primary function of the body of Jesus Christ, we can more simply shift the focus of how this applies to the practices of biblical counseling within the Church. It is notable to address the fact that Christ commanded His disciples to make disciples and not merely converts. That is, Christ commands for an ongoing discipleship (like we see in Paul and Timothy) which inevitably involves bearing each other’s burdens and holding them accountable to righteous living before the Almighty God. This means that the Churches primary functions (commanded through much of the New Testament) involves aspects directly correlated to biblical counseling. This includes speaking the truth in love (Eph 4:15), teaching and admonishing one another “in psalms and hymns” (Col 3:16), bearing one another’s burdens (Gal 6:1-2), and addressing sinful behavior that acts as a threat to the unity and purity of the Church (Matt 18:15-17). Without exercising these fundamental principles inside the Church, the body has failed to achieve its mission. In the words of John MacArthur, “The local Church is the instrument Christ ordained to help believers grow into His likeness.”[4] Knowing this to be true, we can deduct that “Counseling is the responsibility of each believer and it’s only rightful arena is the Church.”[5] That is, since the Churches primary function is fundamentally correlated to the mission of nouthetic counsel, then there is no greater place for said counseling than the Church.
How a Biblical Counseling Approach Strengthens the View of the Local Church
Knowing the destructive dichotomy that has subtly divided the Church from nouthetic counsel, it is safe to say that many fail to understand the function of the Church as a whole. This inevitably leads to a diminished and even weak view of the local Church. So how does a biblical counseling approach strengthen ones view of the local Church? Firstly, it reminds people that the mission of the Church is, well, people. That is, it eliminates the view that Christians are judgmental and discriminating and replaces said view with the understanding that the Church exists for the person and work of Christ to reach and minister to people. Secondly, it reminds people that the Church is actively working for the mission of Christ (since it is the “workmanship” of Christ: Eph 2:10) and not merely a useless gathering that meets once a week for self-pleasure. In summary, holding to a biblical approach strengthens one’s view of the local Church in that it reminds them that the Church exists to minister to people and bear their burdens while exalting the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
The Church is the primary place for counseling. The first Psalm reminds us of the importance of walking in Godly counsel: and what better place to do so than in the Church? Without making nouthetic counsel a primary function and practice in the Church, the body of Christ has failed to do what it was called to do (all throughout the New Testament).
[1] MacArthur, John Counseling: How to Counsel Biblically (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2005) 101.
[2] Ganz, Richard, PsychoBabble: The Failure of Modern Psychology and the Biblical Alternative (Wheaton: Crossway, 1993) 104.
[3] Ibid, 91.
[4] MacArthur, John Counseling: How to Counsel Biblically (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2005) 223.
[5] Ibid.