Christian Counseling Today Vol. 21, Iss. 2

christian counseling today

Vol. 21 no. 2

and soul-care traditions, and has been defined with multiple constructs

such as active listening, cognitive and solution-focused processes, biblical

counseling, an integrated cognitive-behavioral approach, inner healing,

pastoral ministry and as a mixed model (Garzon et al., 2009). According to

researchers Ev Worthington and Joshua Hook, there are different orienta-

tions, each having its strengths and weaknesses (Hook & Worthington,

2009). The three most common include the Informal Spontaneous Model,

the Informal Organized Model and the Formal Organized Model (Tan,

1991; Garzon & Tilley, 2009). Although there have been more than 40

peer-reviewed studies pertaining to the concepts of lay helping, there

still remains a need for efficacy and effectiveness research on Christian

approaches to caregiving at this level.

In the last several decades, the lay counseling phenomenon has grown

exponentially and become a global movement. The field has continued to

change and evolve since

Lay Counseling: Equipping Christians for a Helping

Ministry

(Tan, 1991) was first published nearly 25 years ago. Empirically-

supported treatments, faith-based approaches, biblical integration, ethical

guidelines and the use of new technologies have all advanced and produced

an emerging array of resources, training programs, credentialing and certifi-

cation. In an effort to bring important updates and practical insights to the

lay counseling movement, we are collaborating with Zondervan on a revi-

sion of the original work (

Lay Counseling

– Tan) and hope to have this new

resource available sometime next year.

The journey to develop a lay counseling

ministry should begin in prayer so God is the

One ordering your steps and shaping the mission

and vision. Second, it takes the support and

oversight of committed leadership from pastors

and elders to help discern the felt needs within

the congregation and determine the appropriate

structure and organization of the ministry effort.

Protocols should be developed and implemented

when it comes to the selection, training, supervi-

sion and evaluation of lay counselors, as well as

understanding potential risks and establishing

ethical guidelines (Tan, 1991; AACC, 2014).

Group training builds a sense of unity and allows

God to work “in” you so He can effectively work

“through” you. As an extension of the Church

body, these are vitally important steps in the

process because caring for the downtrodden is a

sacred trust.

Consider the following goals for a lay coun-

seling ministry:

Going

(Evangelism): Go to people with the

good news—have a strong commitment

Sexual violation was

not your choice, but

recovery is.

Survivors of sexual trauma experience feelings of shame and

confusion, and weakening of their faith and trust. It may feel

like no one understands. And each day they are simply trying

to survive.

Mary Ellen Mann understands. She’s been there. In

From

Pain to Power

, she weaves her personal story and years of research

and counseling experience to provide comfort and respect,

biblical insight, guided imagery, and self-care strategies to

help victims of sexual violation be restored, honor their right-

ful femininity, find their voice of reason, and choose to live a

legacy-filled life.

Includes tips and resources for spouses, parents, ministry leaders,

and advocates who want to help survivors of sexual assault.

Learn more at

LastBattle.org.