Christian, Are You Called to Counsel?

On its face, the question “Are you called to counsel?” may strike you as an odd one. After all, you may have no training in this area, and it may seem like there is no connection between counseling and your responsibilities at work, church, or home. But before you dismiss this question and move on to more pressing concerns, I would encourage you to re-examine your current understanding of counseling because there is a greater connection between counseling and your life than may be immediately evident.

What is counseling?

First, we must clarify what counseling actually is. We often think of counseling as the formal relationship between a professional counselor and his or her client. This is counseling in the most formal sense. But if we consider how Scripture defines counseling, we find a broader and more accessible conception of counseling. For example, consider Psalm 1:1-2: “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked…but his delight is in the law (counsel) of the Lord.” Here we see counsel being used to mean guidance, instruction, and influence. The psalmist almost assumes we are always under the counsel of something or someone. We are also inescapably giving some kind of counsel through our interactions with others. Whether formal or informal, the interactions we have with others shape and direct them somehow. I would suggest that biblical counseling is conversational ministry within an intentional relationship focused on wisely loving and helping a person face the life situation before them in a Christ-like way.

Are you called to counsel?

Now that we’ve considered what counsel is through the lens of Scripture, let us return to our original question. I suspect that most Christians are familiar with the New Testament’s frequent use of the words “one another” to describe various aspects of a godly life to which we are called. Here are a few examples: We are to love one another (John 13:34, 15:12, 17; Romans 13:8; 1 Thessalonians 3:12, 4:9; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:11, 4:7, 11; 2 John 5), serve one another (Galatians 5:13), bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), stir up one another toward love and good works as we meet together and encourage one another (Hebrews 10:24-25) and teach and admonish one another making use of the riches found in the Word of Christ (Colossians 3:16). I would argue that these “one another” commands are the ministry work of counseling. Taken together, these passages call us to move toward one another as believers with the goal of building up and helping each other toward more of God’s good purposes for our lives.

We all need to receive this kind of care from others, and God has also ordained and empowered us to give this kind of care to others. This calling is for all, not just some, Christians. God has wonderfully provided both the resources and the structure for this as he cares for us, we care for one another, and we receive care from one another within the Body of Christ.

What will your counsel be?

So it is not so much a question of if you are called to counsel, but rather how you are called to counsel. How are you engaging the relationships God has already given you? How are you approaching the conversations before you, and what counsel are you giving in these conversations? Instead of assuming you must have special knowledge, sage advice, or particular techniques in order to help others, consider what has personally helped you. For most of us, no specialized techniques were needed. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ that has helped you more than anything, particularly when a brother or sister in Christ has compassionately cared for you and faithfully applied God’s Word to your particular struggles. This can certainly happen through a sermon, but it can also happen in an everyday conversation in which you get to know a person, seek understanding through careful listening, and pray for him or her. All good counseling starts with engaging others around you and then, as you actively come to understand the person’s situation better, trying to point that person toward Christ in some way.

What might this look like?

Consequently, I want to invite us all to engage each conversation as a counseling opportunity. Who are you talking to today, and how might God use this? Allow me to offer a few examples of where you might go with this. Perhaps you had a brief conversation with someone after church on Sunday, but as God brings it back to your mind you decide to follow up with that person through a call or text today to see how they are doing with what they shared. Instead of telling this person you will pray for them, you could offer to pray with them right then and there. Or maybe you try to go a bit deeper in an otherwise superficial conversation by asking how the person is doing in a more pointed, genuine way that communicates you really want to know even if the answer is uncomfortable. You might consider attempting to bring God’s Word into the conversation in a helpful way that enlightens and opens up the conversation rather than shutting it down. Or perhaps you seek to understand what someone is telling you and summarize it back to them so well that they experience the grace of being heard, understood, and loved.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, the grace of God is at work to grow us all in loving one another more fully and wisely. He will enable you to courageously take up the call to counsel through how faithfully he is counseling you today!

If you are interested in better understanding this calling and growing your skill in giving counsel, please join us at one of the “Called to Counsel” summits this year.