When we consider the pastoral needs within our church and city, we find good reasons for concern. Hard things come at us: I suffer, you suffer, they suffer—and it hurts. Bad things flow from us: sin lives in me, in you, in them—and it harms. So many troubles! But when we see what the Psalmist sees, we find better reasons to rejoice. The Wonderful Counselor has not left us in the dark but has spoken His truth in love to comfort sufferers and transform sinners. In God’s written Word, and from Jesus the living Word, we find everything we need to live a godly life. So many treasures! Enjoy with me just a few of the spoils.
Scripture reveals God’s way of understanding people.
Do you ever wonder how to make sense of common or complex problems in living? What does it mean to be human? What goes wrong? What makes right? To what goal do we help people grow? How do people change? As we look through the “eyeglasses” of biblical categories, we learn to see life as God sees it, and change as God does. As the Searcher of hearts, His diagnosis goes deep; as the Physician of souls, His cure in Jesus goes deeper. “He rescued me, because he delighted in me” (Psalm 18:19).
Scripture reveals God’s way of counseling people.
Do you ever wonder what it takes to have a wise conversation with someone seeking help? Biblical counseling is the interpersonal ministry of the Word. We listen to people to know them truly, and to Scripture to know Christ deeply; from our growing understanding, we apply this Redeemer’s treasures to this person’s troubles. It’s not simplistic, formulaic, or scripted; it’s relational, practical, and humble, always seeking to keep in step with the Spirit who leads the way. By precept and example, Scripture trains us to offer God’s truth wrapped in God’s love. “The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary” (Isaiah 50:4).
Scripture reveals God’s way of delivering His counsel to people.
Do you ever wonder how you fit into God’s caregiving community? These biblical ways of seeing and helping have their home in the church, then flow into the world wherever God’s people go. The care of souls is essentially pastoral, so God’s ordained shepherds lead the way; but in this age of the Spirit, Jesus distributes this work to all His saints. By His Word and Spirit, He counsels us in our struggles, so that we may counsel others in their struggles. “From Him the whole body... grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (Ephesians 4:16).
Curious to learn more?
Come and see how you can grow with us.
Within this vision, the twofold purpose of Briarwood’s Counseling Ministry comes into focus: First, because God calls each of us to care for one another’s soul, we aim to equip every church member for this conversational ministry. Second, because God gifts some of us to provide more focused care in times of trouble, we aim to enlist, equip, and empower a team of lay counselors. In a typical month, our team of seven combines to provide counseling for 80 individuals and/or couples within blocks of 130 appointments. But the demand exceeds our supply, so we are trusting God to expand our team still more.
