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Thread: Pastor's Question

  1. #1
    Super Moderator Quest's Avatar
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    Pastor's Question

    Over the past few years I have heard this question...and last night one of the Blue Blood episodes prompted my thinking..

    First the Blue Bloods episode was about losing faith. The NYPD priest was drinking and discouraged. When Frank asked why, he states that his work is obsolete...now there are counselors and drugs that replaced confession...now laying the Catholic concept of ministry aside, is it a fact that many Christians are no longer seeking the pastoral counsel?

    This reminded me of something I have heard pastors say/ask. 'Why are people no longer seeking out counsel of pastors..or asking me a question regarding the Bible..'

    And it also reminded me of something my doctor said once...I had called in and told the appointment setter that I had Carpal Tunnel and needed to see my doctor. When he came in he looked at my record and then looked at me and said, 'Your self diagnosing now?'

    It irritated me at first but in this context it makes sense...and PS he proved my diagnosis was not incorrect but it was incomplete...and that was not even the problem causing most of my discomfort...he is a doctor far advanced in knowledge of the human body and issues with it.

    But how many Christians are self diagnosing and self medicating and missing the mark?

    Have you as a pastor seen a substantial decrease in those seeking counsel and prayer and a corresponding decline in growth.

    And secondly, I wonder how many have self diagnosed incorrectly and are treating their issues with false or flawed solutions....

    And thirdly, do you see this as an epidemic of independence?

  2. #2
    Just like with everything else, most people have bought into a secular worldview that says that psychiatry, psychology, and drugs will fix everything. Faith is not sufficient.

    But in a sense, the Bible never really teaches pastors to "counsel" people. This is a modern practice placed on the church that has been influenced by secularism. We are to disciple, teach, and pray with people. The problem we face is that no one wants to disciple people and most people don't want to be disciple (we are talking about the USA and most Western countries. Can't speak for Christianity worldwide). It takes too much of our time in this busy nation.

    Since belief in the miraculous (divine healing, deliverance, receiving a Word directly from God that deals with one's issues) requires a little faith effort, and having a psychologist drug you up requires no real effort then it's an easy choice for some people. But, one can go to the psyche and still go to church in order to fulfill their "Christian" duty".

    A lot of our psychological issues here in the USA could primarily be resolved by killing the flesh, becoming "others-focused" rather than "me-focused" and find ways to serve God by helping others. The problem we have in the USA is that most people are so self-focused" that it causes a lot of mental breakdown. Many of our secular counselors counsel on the basis of that because we live in a self-absorbed culture.

    It is going to take a real move of God's Spirit in order for people to become God-focused again. However, as a pastor I certainly would not despair, lose MY faith, and start drinking. Perhaps, another problem with "pastors" and "priests" is that they are professional clergy. If they believe that they are losing their job then this will cause them to lose THEIR faith. Where was their faith at in the first place? It certainly was NOT on God if failure to have people come to them drives them to drink. How about going out and trying to win some lost souls instead of whining about people not coming to confession?

    I could say more, but I will stop here.

    Furthermore, while go through the long process of fasting, seeking God, hearing His voice
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  4. #3
    Senior Member Cardinal TT's Avatar
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    Good answers by VW

    Western nations have the highest levels of drug dependence and mental/emotional issues yet we live in the most affluent society. God's basic structure for families and the community has broken down and we end up reaping many problems. Many believers even though saved live and think in carnal mode instead of scripture mode.

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