He makes a wonderful point in establishing the fact that this is not a one size fits all field, but one that should be tailored to your client. Furthermore, the fact that the author covers many of the material that would be found in psychology class, but with spiritual twist, is valuable to me. The material is one that can be applied, not only as a clinical psychologist, but in my one-on-one pastoral counseling sessions with members as well. However, I believe the greatest influence Crabb has provided is in helping establish a counseling program in a local church. The various levels and information provided in invaluable.
Every follower of Jesus Christ must find his or her identity in him and him alone. Students do not see that at first, this comes through spiritual maturity. “A young person’s identity does not depend on pure phycology, human goals and achievements, or social labels. Each young person’s identity, and ours as well , comes because we are held in high esteem by a sovereign God who has informed us of sin and forgiveness” (pg. 194).
I have successfully read Crisis counseling: A guide for Pastors and Professionals, now its time for practical application. While reading this book I thought of several different ministries within my local church assembly that could benefit from this book. Especially since my church is located in the heart of a very high risk community, I believe it is important to educate our ministry on how to deal with crises as well as to show them and guide them through the process. Showing the community that the church is still relevant and that we care about the well-being of the people is how we all can cope with and get through crises. As stated before the plan of action is simple, however, we as the body of Christ have got to become more sensitive to the needs of the people and the one of the ways we can do that is through counseling.
As stated in Spiritual Development and Religious Development, Children develop in their own ways in reference to the way they act, the way they feel and even the way they perceive God. (Roehlkepartain, 2006). In relation to spiritual development, it is known this is the way one grows in one self, imbedding in ones mind there is something greater controlling or transforming the way a life should be lived. In the New Living Translation Bible, specifically Leviticus, 19:17, we read: “Do not nurse hatred in your heart for any of your relatives. Confront people directly so you will not be held guilty for their sin.” 18: “Do not
4-MAT Review of Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling By Mark McMinn Gary Howell # 919 429-2067 Liberty University March 29 2013 4-MAT Review of Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling Summary In Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling (McMinn, 1996), the author discusses both the spiritual lives of Christian counselors as well as what happens behind closed doors in counseling. One of the best descriptions of what Christian counseling should look like is explained by McMinn. McMinn (1996, pp. 5-6) in the first chapter: This book focuses on the integration of Christian theology, psychological and spirituality, teaching how to apply spiritual techniques that can be used in a therapeutic setting in order to help the client spiritual health, whereby the clients can be helped to grow both spiritually and emotionally. This book is centered on the truth of Christ and deliberately focuses the counselor maintaining their Christian belief as they implement their counseling methods.
BOOK REVIEW Rashad Woods CCHI 520: History of Christianity Instructor: Dr. John Landers April 21, 2013 In his book, Augustine as Mentor: A Model for Preparing Spiritual Leaders, Dr. Edward Smither provides an in depth perspective on mentoring spiritual leaders. Using Aurelius Augustine as the central figure, Dr. Smither’s provides a framework for mentorship and discipleship for the 21st century. His primary focus is for spiritual leaders who desire to mentor and develop others. The main theme of this book is evidently stated by Smither’s in the preface “Many pastors today, especially in the West, are struggling in isolation without a pastor to nurture their souls” (Smither, V). For leaders to establish relationships with their disciples Dr. Smither’s provides mentoring model which includes eight core principles: The Group, The Mentor as Disciple, Selection, The Mentor-Disciple Relationship, Sound Teaching, Modeling and Involving in Ministry, Releasing to Ministry, and Resourcing Leaders (Smither, 13-23).
Descartes’ Meditations: Meditation 1 response In Descartes’ first meditation, he strives to question all that he has learnt throughout his life. He reaches a point in his life where he recognizes that everything he knows and has learnt has been taught to him and he has been molded into believing. Descartes recognizes that thought, sense, the world and reality as we know it are all open to skepticism. He strives to reinforce the notion that the world as we know it can and must be questioned and we must not fall back into a pattern of relying on what has been taught to us or learnt through the senses. Descartes then begins questioning most of his, and in essence, our, beliefs.
Armstrong talks about how one must get rid of selfishness, greed, and self-preoccupation to access religion completely (34). She explained how the Greeks called this process “kenosis”, emptying (34). One thing that helped people to acquire ones real self was yoga. The yoga done then was very different from the yoga done today. The activities used to find one’s self was to demonstrate not breathing, standing completely still, and silencing all of your thoughts and one must complete other obstacles that includes not participating in any violence or anything that would be considered as selfish in order to enter a state of nothingness that’s supposed to be calm and exciting(35).
The nature of disciplines is joy, but without submitting to God joy can never happen. According to the author prayer is the avenue uses to transform us (Ibid, 33). In our prayer one should ask the things that God wants not the opposite. The next part of the author’s book deals with fasting according to the author biblical fasting always centers on spiritual purposes (Ibid, 49). The author also states, in scripture fasting involves abstaining from all food, solid or liquid, but not from water (Ibid).
When I do become a Mental Health Counselor, I want to try to advise clients to do their best. I want to try to guide them with their issues and let them realize that I have their best interest at heart. My life is revolving around many beliefs which possess I have as a great influence as a counselor. Ever since I was a child I was taught to have respect for self and others. My family’s motto was “Do unto others as they do unto to you”.