Counseling for Leaders

Have you ever had the opportunity to walk with people who are facing challenges in life?  As leaders we are called to counsel, which means we have the privilege of helping those we lead apply Biblical principles to their lives.  Through counseling we are able to help people grow through their life-challenges, which allows them to fulfill their purpose of leading others.

As leaders we are:

1) Called to counsel

Scripture clearly outlines a call to those who are growing in their faith to help others

along the way (Galatians 6:1, Romans 15:14, Colossians 3:16).

2) Equipped to counsel

It is through the truths in Scripture and guidance of the Holy Spirit that we are

equipped to help make a difference in the lives of those we are leading (2 Timothy

3:16-17).

3) Able to counsel

Here are 7 practical steps that can serve as a guideline for you as you meet with

others to discuss their challenges.

1. Pray. Open your time together with prayer. Ask God for His peace, wisdom, and perspective. Do not lean on your own understanding; instead, ask God for His (James 1:5, Proverbs 3:5-6).
2. Listen. The most important component of communication is understanding, not speaking. Focus your energy on making certain that you understand the real issue(s).  It is proven that 55% of what we communicate is through our body language and facial expressions.  Therefore, when you are listening you are still communicating!
3. Offer compassion and hope. Remember, nothing is impossible with God. As impossible or difficult as the situation may seem, God does His best work when the odds are impossible (Matthew 19:26).
4. Clearly identify the issue(s). While there may be more than one issue, try to focus on the one or two main problems that need to be addressed.  In order to stay focused on the big picture, don’t get bogged down in the details,.
5. Give one or two clear, Biblical solutions for the problem. Avoid the temptation to use a “shotgun,” one-size-fits-all approach. If you aren’t sure how Scripture applies specifically to this issue, contact your Ministry Team leader or a pastor for direction. Don’t overwhelm them with many different steps to take, try to focus on one or two things that they can do.
6. Pray again. End your time together with prayer. Put their situation in God’s hands and communicate your trust and confidence that He will handle it. Remind them that prayer changes things and encourage them to pray often regarding their situation.
7. Refer. For most challenges that we face in life, the best remedy is a listening ear and Biblical support and encouragement. However, there are situations that arise that may require additional help. If you encounter a situation that you feel uncomfortable or ill-equipped to handle, please don’t hesitate to refer them to another leader or a pastor.

After you have met with someone it is always a good idea to contact your Ministry Team leader or a pastor to process the encounter. This will ensure that you are giving solid, Biblical counsel and that you are not bearing this burden alone. It’s also a good time to ask about specific application questions that you may not be sure about.

God will use you in miraculous ways as you prepare yourself and make yourself available for His service. Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”

Thank you for being a prepared, willing vessel…