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The whole course and the work done each week culminates in this extensive Research Paper for PACO 500 Liberty Baptist Seminary Graduate level
Citation preview
SOLUTION-BLESSED BRIEF PASTORAL COUNSELING PROJECT
By
Michael V. Paddy
Student ID# 22282275
Presented to Dwight C. Rice. D.Min. (Phd Candidate)In partial fulfillment of the requirements of
Introduction to Pastoral CounselingPACO 500
Liberty Baptist Theological SeminaryLynchburg, VAApril 11, 2023
ABSTRACT
“The purpose of this project is to contextualize this course into a practical, pastoral
counseling model utilizing a solution-focused approach under the influence of an overarching
goal” (Rice 2008, 1).
I will attempt to bring all the theories, processes and practices to bear on this Solution-
Blessed Brief Pastoral Counseling, (SBBPC), project to show competency on my part in
explaining and synthesizing this class into my life.
Because I believe that the counseling process involves the care-seeker and just as
important me as the care-provider, I have chosen two overarching goals to remind me of the
purpose in the counseling journey. Romans 15:13, reminds me that the end results of the
counseling relationship ends in overflow of hope. I Peter 5:2 in the Phillips Translation reminds
me of my motivation and calling for the caregiver as being central to the healing process of the
souls under my care.
Bruce Murakami is the care-seeker I will use in my attempt to try and implement the
Solution-Blessed Brief Pastoral Counseling theory as his care-provider. Suffering from a tragic,
devastating loss Bruce is confused, lost, and inconsolable at times. This is very natural for
someone who in the midst of a sudden and tragic loss of a loved one. I am using three different
counseling experiences I have and am going through with people exhibiting some of the same
issues facing Bruce Murakami from the movie and the case study provided by the class.
Using the Uniquely You, Personalizing My Faith, (2009), personality profiling tool,
Bruce seems to be a “D/C” mix with “D” being the dominant personality feature. Watching
filmed interviews of the real Bruce Murakami, I have added the personality feature of “I” as a
minor influencing trait.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT………………………………………………….……………………………………2
PART 1: The Counseling Setting…………………………………………………………………4
The Rationale……………………………………………………………………………...4
The Guiding Assumptions………………………………………………………………...5
The Process Overview……………………………………………………………………..6
PART 2: The Counselor’s Style…………………………………………………………………..8
PART 3: The Counseling Sessions………………………………………………………………11
Phase 1 — P1…………………………………………………………………………….11
Phase 2 — P2…………………………………………………………………………….13
Phase 3 — P3…………………………………………………………………………….15
Phase 4 — P4…………………………………………………………………………….18
PART 4: The Counseling Conclusions…………………………………………………………..20
APPENDIX………………………………………………………………………………………22
APPENDIX A: Pre-Session Package…………………………………………………….22
APPENDIX B: Annotated References for use in biblio-therapy/supportive feedback….28
APPENDIX C: My Relational Style Action Plan………………………………………..29
APPENDIX D: My Journey through PACO 500 Journal………………………………..31
REFERENCES…………………………………………………………………………………..35
PACO 500 FINAL PROJECT GRADING GUIDELINES……………………………………...37
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PART ONE: THE COUNSELING SETTING
The Rationale
Psychology has historically tried to delve deep into the conscious and subconscious of
individuals in great need. Not just exploring the past but also trying to assemble a theory and
solution to the problems plaguing the present state of the person. This is done by seeing the past
problems, psychosis and environmental issues for the present phenomena.
A solution-Blessed, brief pastoral counseling process recognizes the past for what it is but
is focused on the present and a hopeful future through a positive psychology based theory with a
brief or limited focus on the present issues. In conjunction with this is a foundation built by the
counselor built on trust through recognition of personality of the counselor, the integrating
personality of the counselee.
With that in mind, I have reviewed how I might rationalize using SBBPC as a critical and
intentional model as I attempt to provide soul care for my congregation.
1. The counselor must have a well-defined sense of who he is so that he can make sure
he is not a barricade in building the necessary relationship with the care-seeker. This
relational interaction would build trust and confidence in the heart and soul of the
counselee so that he can speak truth to the counselor and trust the counselor in order
to accept truth in return.
2. SBBPC provides a systematic format necessary in setting up a successful counseling
scenario. It provides intentionality of counseling in stages. These stages are rigid
enough to hit all the pieces needed for a focused counseling season, yet fluid enough
to understand that when dealing with human emotions it is impossible to have a
checklist or a script in front of us that might have all the answers for every problem
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we confront. “…the pastoral counselor must be flexible and develop a sensitivity to
the “third ear” ― listening to the Holy Spirit in order to tailor counseling to each
individual.” (Hawkins 2007, slide 9).
3. SBBPC is more than just seeking out the problematic and damaged part of our psyche
and repairing it, we need to have soul care at its core where the person comes away
feeling better than problem-free, (Rice 2007).
The Guiding Assumptions
The integration of the material from Solution-focused pastoral counseling, (Kollar 1997),
helps establish assumptions that are Biblically based and experientially sound. Adapting the
guiding assumptions to my project, I assume:
1. God has been and is working in the life of the counselee. An omnipotent, omniscient
God has the ability to see beyond any present circumstance and uses past, present and
future circumstances to bring people to a place of faith, hope and love in all their lives
and relationships, (Bridges 1988).
2. Brief Therapy does not mean quick fix; rather it brings immediate solutions to bear on
most problems. The word brief is an adjective related to time elements, but it can also
mean simple, simple solutions, simple conversation, and simple relief from the
immediate emotions and anxieties in the heart of the counselee.
3. The SBBPC setting is dynamic. It changes and grows as brief, simple solutions
surface and are implemented, new challenges can appear, both positive and negative.
In any case, a continual pattern of using SBBPC is a catalyst for growth and change.
4. In SBBPC, though the counselee can create the problem they are not the immediate
problem. In our setting, we focus on the solution to the immediate problem not the
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overarching patterns of behavior and personality of the counselee that might have
caused the challenge they are presently facing.
5. The counseling roles are pivotal in bringing real solutions to the counselee’s
problems. A quick fix answer to any situation by the counselor precludes the ability
and initialization of the counselee to find out the solution. The counselor is the
conductor in the symphony of the counseling setting but does not play the necessary
instruments to produce the music.
6. The counselor helps the counselee bring out the solution that is already present in the
care-seeker. As illustrated in assumption five, the counselor needs to help the
counselee discover that which they already know. The answer to their present
problem is already known to them through experience and in understanding the truth
in assumption one.
The Process Overview
In many counseling settings, a preliminary understanding needs to have an agreement or
covenant of intent. Though small problems and counseling settings may not need this type of
explicit agreement, an implicit agreed understanding of roles; context and setting of the
discussions taking place must have their place. In an explicit counseling setting, a pre-session
package given to a prospective care-seeker is a good introduction in setting the stages for the
SBBPC phases in the counseling scenario.
The pre-session package can contain but is not limited to some of the following
understandings:
1. Information concerning the counseling style and process used by the counselor and
counseling center.
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2. The religious, faith, and/or doctrinal beliefs of the counselor and the counseling
center.
3. The ethical standards of the counselor and counseling center as well as the ethical
rights of those seeking counseling.
4. Informational Intake forms giving relevant information to the counselor and
counseling center.
5. An informed consent and confidentiality agreement.
6. Process and information concerning referrals of the care-seeker.
7. Where appropriate and a part of the structure of the counseling setting, financial costs
and disclosures.
The pre-session package does not ensure successful outcomes in the counseling session
but makes both the counselor and counselee accountable for the information the pre-session
package contains and gives clear boundaries and guidelines to ensure a proper counseling setting
ethic. This will help in the development of trust and confidence of the counselee towards the
counselor.
An example of a pre-session package is located in Appendix A.
I have an extensive library of which I have a very good handle on titles, subjects, and
authors. Even though I have this ability to know most of my library intimately, I have learned
that organizing my library and having a brief written personal annotation in them is helpful in my
being able to glean fast information from them and offer suggested reading material to others I
counsel. For my final project, I have included the annotated topics of anger, grief, forgiveness,
death, and guilt/fear located in Appendix B.
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The counseling setting would not be complete without an honest look at my own
experiences of learning these past eight weeks. Appendix C contains my weekly thoughts and
transformation over these intensified study times. The unique role of the counselor is not one of
an expert, but one who tries to incarnate himself into the life being of the counselee. My journal
will reflect what I have learned about counseling and what I have learned about myself in this
journey.
PART 2: The Counselor’s Style
The role and personality of the counselor is crucial in helping the care-seeker find the
solutions to the problems they have in their lives. To do this the counselor himself must be a
student of himself to see how others perceive him and how his personality reacts, interacts and
relates to other personality types.
In our journey through PACO 500 we took participated in personality profiles and
spiritual gifts analysis to identify as closely as possible the personality, temperament types, and
spiritual gifts we might have and how that can affect the counselees who come not just with their
specific problems but also with their specific personality and temperament traits.
In the Uniquely You temperament analysis, I have a similar strength in each of the two
graphs “This is expected of me!” Graph One, and in the “This is me!” Graph Two. The
difference in the two graphs is that I am a High “S” in Graph 1 with no other dominant traits and
in Graph 2, I have two other dominant types making me a “C/I/S”.
Graph 1 indicates that I perceive others to have the expectation of me to be the nicest and
kindest individual possible. Sensitivity, love, sacrificial service go hand in hand with this
perceived personality trait. These meld well with the understanding of my spiritual gift set of
encouraging/exhorting, mercy, and teaching.
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Graph 2 shows a propensity towards good people skills. I can be at ease in large crowds
or with individuals. I can be outgoing and reserved. I can be both passive and aggressive. I know
that our greatest strengths can turn into our greatest weaknesses because with this gift set I can
become someone who is negative, critical and demanding. I can place high, unrealistic
expectations on others and myself. Because of this, I can be indecisive afraid to commit for fear
of being misunderstood or turning people off with too demanding of ideas, thoughts and
opinions. This also leads into a quagmire when overuse or misuse of my spiritual gifts creates a
talkative, too sensitive, and too academic, deep me.
All six 360 degree interviews came back very positive, hinting at some of the same
weakness conclusions collectively with five of the six seeing me as an:
Otter (Sanguine/Influence)
Strengths– Outgoing, responsive, warm, friendly, talkative, enthusiastic, compassionate
Weaknesses– Undisciplined, unproductive, exaggerates, egocentric, unstable
One out of the five sees me as a:
Lion (Choleric/Dominance)
Strengths– Visionary, practical, productive, strong-willed, independent, decisive, leader
Weaknesses– Cold, domineering, unemotional self-sufficient, unforgiving, sarcastic, cruel
All of these comments and several other tests I have taken almost annually for self
assessment show me to be a very gifted man with the propensity to overuse the gifts and skills
causing the strengths to be overlooked by the overuse of the strengths.
Bruce Murakami comes across as a D/C/I from the reading of the case study and
watching the movie, Crossroads: A Story of Forgiveness, (Harrison 2007). This means that He is
a driving, cautious, influencer. They can be demanding, competent and impressive with a
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tendency toward task orientation. They need to increase their sensitivity and softness. They do
not mind change and can be compliant and cautious. They like to do things correctly while
driving and influencing others to follow. (Uniquely yours, 38).
As Bruce’s counselor, I need to recognize the strengths and weaknesses in joining,
(Benner 2003), or as Kollar, (1997), puts it “demonstrating fit” (112). This is key in making our
time together the most productive it can be. It will also help Bruce find the solutions he needs to
move toward an overflowing hope in his life.
As a counselor with people skills, an ability to be at ease with individuals, and wanting to
serve and help them as both an expected “S” and a real “C/I/S” with encouraging/exhorting,
mercy, and teaching spiritual gift set I must recognize that interacting with Bruce a “D/C/I” I
must:
1. Be intentional and careful. I cannot be spontaneous with Bruce but be prayerful and
thoughtful before responding to his situation and conversation.
2. Listen and show an attentive listening position. This will demonstrate fit with Bruce
and he will not feel threatened or unheard. Strategically placing the Talker/Listener
Card (Petersen 2007), to help me focus on our roles in the conversational will be
helpful.
3. Consciously give supportive feedback, (Kollar 2007), and at the same time look for
clue to move forward in our conversation, without interrupting the flow of Bruce’s
story.
4. Resist the pressure of wanting to answer Bruce’s every question, even if I think I
know the answer, the solution must come from him and I must guide with supporting
words and gestures without teaching him what I think I already know.
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The Counseling Sessions
Phase One — P1
Bruce Murakami has suffered a devastating loss. As I try to help him using the SBBPC
process, I must remember that it will be impossible to address all the immediate concerns,
problems and challenges he is facing. My goal in P1 will be to discover what the predominant
problem is and let the final phase, Phase Four — P4 be the opportunity to draw him into a
community of people who can address the ongoing issues he may continually face in his life.
Bruce is not a member of our church but has heard that as a pastor, I have been helpful
and empathetic to people in need. He is coming for information on the food pantry. He wants to
help saying that maybe if he is busy serving the Lord he can forget about his problems.
He is visibly struggling as he tries to talk to me. On the grieving scale Bruce is
somewhere between the denial and anger stages, (Kanel 2007). This is observable from his
response when I ask him how he is doing. His response was that he did not know and it was hard
to tell, sometimes he came home expecting to see his wife and daughter and then he would catch
himself, feeling sad, even guilty.
He apologized for dumping on me and seemed to want to end the conversation, but I
asked if I might ask a question. His response was yes. I asked him whom he felt close enough to
dump on, who was it he could talk to when things get hard to understand. He said God. He prays
and talks to God about the stuff he is feeling. When I asked what God says, he laughed and said
that he felt God was more of a listener these days and he is having a hard time figuring anything
else out right now. He seemed uncomfortable and vulnerable with his comment to me and got
quiet.
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I then told him that our complete conversation was between himself, God and me. I
mentioned how many things come my way even casually and that if I was the only person told,
then no one else would hear or know about it because I am committed to making sure that the
issues people have and feel trusting enough to share with me, they are confidential.
He asked what I was writing; I showed him some words I had written down. When he
asked me what they meant I told him there are times when someone comes and until I can
understand why the person is coming to talk to me, I write down key words the person is saying
to make sure I am listening well and fully understand what the person is saying. I will shred them
as soon as our conversation ends with no written record of our conversation. I turned placed the
piece of paper in the shredder and we sat and listened to the grinding sound of the paper being
torn into small tiny strips. He mentioned how we needed one of those for our problems.
There was a casual conversation concerning how hard it must be to listen to people’s
problems. It ended with me telling him that my soul purpose for living, my calling in life was
found in two passages of the Bible. Romans 15:13 – May the God of hope fill you with all joy,
as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. And I
Peter 5:2 where God lays out the responsibility I have to not just work for people but to love and
care for them, helping them through life. I went on to tell him that the overarching goal in my
life was to help awaken hope in myself and in each person God brings my way.
Our first meeting set the stage for coffee for us at the local café. I feel he is moving from
a casual visitor or the attending position to a willing position in the counseling setting. After he
left I prayed for our time together and for wisdom for this journey we were on together.
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Phase Two — P2
Our coffee time together went well. I was prepared to help guide Bruce into a willing
position. I had some written material, what some might call a pre-session package that included
my personal information and background. Ethical things that I had prepared if he asked, my
thoughts on counseling using the SBBPC model I had gained understanding while studying for
my graduate degree in chaplaincy, and a book I found useful for those who have suffered loss,
The Reluctant Traveler: A Pilgrimage Through Loss and Recovery, (Marr 2002). After our initial
discussion Phase One “lite”, and listening to Bruce, praying it through and discussing
anonymously the session with a couple of peer mentors, we agreed that it sounded like Bruce
needed to get into a functional state in his life by moving him along the Five Stages of Death and
Dying, (Kanel 2007:136). My goal will be to try to move Bruce through these stages using
SBBPC. Even after coffee, I felt he was in Phase One until I received a phone call from him a
few days later asking me if I could come to his house to talk. I told him I could and would, I
asked if there was anything in particular he wanted to discuss? He said he wanted to talk about
the five stages of grief he read in the book that I gave him. We met the next day.
Bruce has a lovely home. I noticed his enthusiasm was waning from the phone call the
day before. I decided to try to ask a scaling question. I asked him how he was feeling. His
response was he felt normal, lousy, and not too happy. I asked him on a scale of one to five with
one being earth shattering and five as if he won the World Series, he said a negative five. I made
a mental note to increase the scale one to ten. I felt we had entered P2.
Pastor Mike, (PM): Is there was anything in particular that is making you feel this way?
Bruce Murakami, (BM): Brody is angry with me all the time. He is making demands on me that I
cannot possibly handle right now. And do not get me started on my son Josh. He comes home for
13
a while and we sort of bonded you know, it seemed we were on the same page about everything
and then without telling me or talking to me about it he goes back to college. It was as if he could
just pick up the pieces like nothing had happened and get on with his life.
PM: Where do you think Josh is at on the five stages of grief?
BM: He acts as if he is the accepting stage but how could he? It is too soon.
PM: (I sat for a moment and let him think about his comment. I was starting to feel whether he
was taking a step backwards in our counseling sessions). Tell me about Josh and some of the
things you and he did together. (He sat there a minute or two and then a smile came across his
face. He then went on in glowing terms about how smart he was, how he was the rock, like his
mom. He cared for people. He was tough and you could count on him.) So when he left without
saying good-bye what was your first thought? (I wrote down the words, lost Jodi, Chelsea,
Brody, and now Josh.)
BM: (He looked away and wiped his eyes and said), I feel like I am losing my family one piece
at a time.
PM: What did you and Josh do to keep that feeling of closeness even while he was away at
college?
BM: Well he goes to the same college I did, that is where I met my wife. He would tell me about
the classes he was taking. He had some of the same professors I did. I guess it was all about the
similarities we had in common.
PM: What has changed? (He sat there silent, looking for the answer on the floor. I waited for a
few minutes while he sat in silence, very sad, looking like he knew the answer but could not
believe the answer).
PM: What did you major in?
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BM: I’m sorry, excuse me?
PM: I asked what your major was in college.
BM: Architecture, I took drafting, engineering courses, same as Josh.
PM: Does Josh want to be a builder?
BM: I don’t know. He did, I am not sure what he wants right now. I do not know what I want
right now.
PM: Good answer.
BM: What?
PM: That you do not know what you want right now, except I think you do but not sure which
one, the one thing you really want to do right now. I am sure there are several options in your
head.
BM: You know what I want right now. I do not want to feel sad. How do I stop feeling sad?
PM: Can you think back to one or several mornings where you woke up, ready to go to work,
ready to face challenges and at the end of the day you felt satisfied?
BM: Yeah I can think about a lot of those days.
PM: Then between now and when I see you again, I want you to think what it was that made you
feel that way and see what you can do to feel that way again. And while you are at it, maybe a
phone call to check up and Josh, how he is, how he is doing in classes might help you with that
relationship, after all, you’re the Dad.
We agreed to meet the following week at my office with those two tasks in mind.
Phase Three — P3
From the first casual meeting with Bruce to bringing him to an attending position in our
counseling time, he has shown diverse feelings on the grief scale. It is obvious that a tragedy of
15
this nature can cause enough emotional stress and confusion so that the care seeker can linger in
one, two, even three separate stages simultaneously for long periods with final acceptance
merely being a symptom of an ongoing stage without reliving the previous three stages too
severely.
Bruce has opened up about how paralyzed he has felt but feels as though he has come to a
point of acceptance in the journey. He said he realized that it was not that he did not hurt
anymore or that he just moved on as if nothing happened but as Marr, (2002), “resiliency…the
ability to recover quickly from illness, change or misfortune” (23).
He was able to concentrate on projects that challenged him and how fulfilled he felt in
getting them accomplished. He called Josh, said that Josh thought he was mad at him, and did
not want to bother him anymore. They then talked for over an hour about school and about losing
Josh’s Mom and stepsister. They both cried and agreed to keep up the calls.
Then Bruce told me he wanted to do one more thing to make him feel like he can
continue to face the issues of the accident and loss of Cindy and Chelsea. When I asked him
what it is he wanted to do, he said had an overwhelming desire to confront the young man who
caused the death of his wife and child. When broached on the reasoning for it, his response was
that he could not bring relief to the gnawing pain of why, without at least confronting the young
man and having him look Bruce in the eye. Were revenge, vengeance or justice, what he was
looking for? He was not sure. He just knew he had to do it. How would he respond to a stubborn,
non-remorseful soul looking back at him? Again, not sure, in fact Bruce said it was not about
him, it was is something he had to do. Here is an excerpt of the conversation that followed:
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Pastor Mike, (PM): I think it is commendable but wonder if there needs to be a better reason than
you feel like you must do this. Do you know people will ask you why and may not even give
permission unless you have a more specific goal and or reason in mind?
Bruce Murakami, (BM): Do you think I want to do the right thing?
PM: From the very start Bruce, you have wanted to do the right thing and more. I have seen you
want to bring real meaning, hope and purpose to what you have gone through and how you want
to move forward in spite of the tragedy.
BM: If I say that I want to be able to let Justin Gutierrez look me in the eye and give him a
chance to explain how he feels about this, would that be enough?
PM: Whatever your reason it is possible that you can use this in bringing closure to another stage
in the whole process you have been going through. Nevertheless, what is it you are looking for?
BM: I am not sure. As I said before, when I saw this kid, looking like one of my own, well I
cannot believe that he is okay with this, that he is hurting as well. I just want to talk with him
face-to-face, man-to-man and hear what he has to say.
PM: How can I help?
BM: I just need to know that I am doing the right thing.
PM: I cannot say it is the right thing but I can tell you this. Knowing you and what you have
been through and how far we have come, I know you feel this is right and cannot think of a
single reason for you not to act on this desire. You will find it difficult, but I am here for you and
the men we have been meeting with in our small group, they will be there for you too.
BM: Do you have any suggestions on how to proceed?
PM: Be prepared for his lawyer and family to say no. You must prepare yourself that not
everyone has as noble an ideal as you in this. That you want to continue to work through this
17
issue, you are committed to healing and hope and that you have the spiritual strength and
fortitude to do it!
BM: What happens if he just sits there?
PM: That is why it might be wise to have goal in mind for wanting this. To go with no goal may
set you up for great disappointment and unmet expectations can bring back some of the anger.
BM: I believe the reason is that I want him to see me without great anger and rage; rather that he
will see the hurt he has caused which might bring some accountability and even sorrow. He
looks sorrowful in the court proceedings; I think this could help both him and me.
PM: What is the hope you are looking for if you do this and you act on it?
BM: I want to stop hating this person, stop the anger, and come to acceptance of what happened
and try to move forward in my life.
PM: What can I do to help you see this hope fulfilled?
BM: I guess I need to know that no matter what you and the men in our group are still there even
if this thing blows up in my face. I also want to know if you feel it is stupid or silly to do this.
PM: You have our support unconditionally as always and we will pray. I cannot say this will not
blow up in your face but your positive, loving, forgiving attitude might be the break-through
needed by many people involved in this situation and can continue the ongoing healing and hope
in everyone’s life.
We prayed for wisdom. We prayed that God would allow this action to take place and if
it did not that Bruce would be willing to continue the hope and healing process with our small
group. After prayer, we just looked at each other and he said, I never thought I would be feeling
what I am feeling right now. When asked what he was feeling, he responded that he was feeling
18
peace and relief. I said God the author of peace and comfort was bringing these feelings. When I
asked him if he knew why God was doing this, he answered because God loved him very much.
Phase Four — P4By now Bruce had plugged back into his men’s group at his church. When they asked
how he was doing, he told them he takes it one day at a time. He said he has learned to realize
that the pain will always be there like a person with a limp, but he is still walking and growing. I
was asked to speak at their men’s group and Bruce was the one who introduced me. The topic
‘How to rebuild your broken world’. Afterwards Bruce and I met in the church’s sanctuary to
talk.
BM: Thanks for coming. My men’s group asked how I was doing and when I told him I was
talking to you about things, they were curious about you and what we talked about. I guess they
are surprised on how I am feeling, going to the school assemblies with the kid that caused the
accident and all.
PM: What do you tell them.
BM: Truthfully? I tell them that I seem to do all the talking and you ask a lot of questions, then
you give me homework. (He laughed).
PM: So going for counseling and therapy is not as bad as the dentist is it?
BM: Actually, I feel like I am counseling others now. I feel like I want to see you but just to talk,
not for help. I want to help you with the food pantry too. And the guys? It seems they are a
support to me and as long as I have that kind of support I feel like I can be myself, sad if I feel
sad, happy without feeling guilty. I miss them a lot but my relationship with Justin, well Brody
and I had to work that out. Brody felt like did about Josh. But now that Josh, Brody and I meet
together at least once a month we can talk, share with each other and just hang out. All around it
seems like I have all these new friends, when in reality they are not new at all. (I excused myself
19
for a moment to use the bathroom, as I came back I called my buddy that had been helping me
work with Bruce. I told him all that had happened. I jokingly said, he doesn’t need me anymore.
Steve asked if I was joking or if there was any truth to that statement and did I feel sad about it?)
PM: I guess I do feel like, wait a minute, he isn’t finished, he still has so many more issues he
hasn’t even scratched the surface yet.
STEVE, (S): So what is the solution to that?
PM: Okay so you are going the “Solution” word at me are you?
S: Yes because when you talked to me and asked me to walk with you as you walked with Bruce
you said, “Do not let me go beyond the solution to Bruce’s immediate problem” It sort of
sounded like a command.
PM: I think I have a lot more to learn about this solution blessed brief thing…Solution oriented
and brief driven.
S: Hey we will never get to the bottom of the depth of our problems, none of us will but right
now you have done your job and remain available, now it is up to Bruce and his support group to
help him continue this journey.
PM: Thanks Steve, talk to you later…maybe. (We both laughed and hung up).
Bruce and I just looked at each other. He asked if we can still get together occasionally,
and I said sure. We also agreed to try and get our two groups of men together for some type of
outing. When we said good-bye I felt excited to have been a part of something that well God
directed.
PART 4: The Counseling Conclusions
As I consider SBBPC as a counseling model to follow, I know I have a lot more to learn.
I am sure that certain nuances and steps in each phase will always continue to boggle me and
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keep me thinking of whether I am in P1 or P2. Is P4 necessary? Are there more phases if things
get muddled, a P5, P6, or even P10? When do too many phases make it Solution Blessed
Lengthy Pastoral Counseling?
I know one thing. I know that first and foremost we must be conscious of making it about
the counselee not the counselor. I must always make a conscious effort in listening well and
helping the care seeker find the answers to the things he needs. I am the spiritual director, the
caregiver, not the expert.
I also need to make sure to focus on the immediate needs of the care seeker. If I try to fix
the person without recognizing the true problem they are facing, well I am in for a very lengthy
counseling time because we need a lifetime and eternity to fix the root of all our problem, sin.
Walking through life in a world infected by sin and our propensity to sin, well, if counseling is
all I want to do I will never be out of business.
I am in the discipling business. As a pastor one of my overarching goals is to shepherd,
care for the flock of God given to me. In that care I do not concern myself with every little detail,
but mostly to the immediate problems and needs of the sheep. I was read this so long ago in
Stanford Medical Center in the chaplains’ training room hangs a sign it says: “The secret of the
care of the patient, is the care of the patient”
It would be irresponsible of me to go and try to cure someone’s cancer, or pneumonia. It
would be ridiculous for me to go into the maternity ward and deliver babies. I would kill people
if I dared to try and dispense pharmaceuticals to ill people. What I do as a pastor counselor is
care for them. This is my calling and this is my life and SBBPC is a tool that will be invaluable
to me in my efforts.
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APPENDIX A
Pre-Session Package
My Life Goals as a Counselor:
Romans 15:13 — “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (NLT).
I Peter 5:2 — “I urge you to see that your ‘flock of God’ is properly fed and cared for. Accept the responsibility of looking after them willingly and not because you feel you can’t get out of it, doing your work not for what you can make, but because you are really concerned for their well-being” (Phillips).
My goal is care about what others care about in my pastoral role. I want to help awaken hope in each person who comes for counseling. It is a collaborative effort with the participants being, myself, God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and concerned friends and church companions. Together with the counselee this will ensure that those in need find solutions to their problems and find the needed resources to be more than problem solvers, but over comers, overflowing with joy and peace in their lives.
Code of Ethics, (Adapted from Biblical-Ethical Foundations of the American Association of Christian Counselors Ethics Code 2004):
1st FOUNDATION: Jesus Christ—and His revelation in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible—is the pre-eminent model for Christian counseling practice, ethics, and care giving activities.
2nd FOUNDATION: Christian counseling maintains a committed, intimate, and dedicated relationship with the worldwide church, and individual counselors with a local body of believers.
3rd FOUNDATION: Christian counseling, at its best, is a Spirit-led process of change and growth, geared to help others mature in Christ by the skillful synthesis of counselor-assisted spiritual, psycho-social, familial, bio-medical, and environmental interventions.
4th FOUNDATION: Christian counselors are dedicated to Jesus Christ as their ‘first love,’ to excellence in client service, to ethical integrity in practice, and to respect for everyone encountered.
5th FOUNDATION: Christian counselors accord the highest respect to the Biblical revelation regarding the defense of human life, the dignity of human personhood, and the sanctity of marriage and family life.
6th FOUNDATION: The biblical and constitutional rights to Religious Freedom, Free Speech, and Free Association protects Christian counselor public identity, and the
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explicit incorporation of spiritual practices into all forms of counseling and intervention.
7th FOUNDATION: Christian counselors are mindful of their representation of Christ and his church and are dedicated to honor their commitments and obligations in all social and professional relations.
Personal Statements of Faith and Belief of the Counselor, (Annotated versions are available upon request):
I believe:
in the verbal, plenary (word for word) inspiration and divine authority of the Bible. in one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. in the Lord Jesus Christ as true God and true man; His virgin birth, perfect humanity, vicarious
death, bodily resurrection, present advocacy; and His personal, imminent, bodily, visible return for His Church.
in the fall of man resulting in his complete and universal separation from God, and his need of salvation.
that the Lord Jesus Christ died and shed His blood as a sacrifice for sin. that salvation is a free and everlasting gift of God, entirely apart from works; and that every
person is responsible to receive salvation by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. that the Holy Spirit regenerates with divine life and personally indwells the believer upon his
faith in Christ for salvation. in the bodily resurrection of both the saved and the unsaved. in the responsibility of each believer motivated by the love of Christ and empowered by the Holy
Spirit to witness and make disciples for Christ in all the world
Personal Core Values of the Counselor for Life and Ministry, (Annotated version available upon request):
1. The Word of God as Our Final Authority 2. Dependence on God Evidenced by Prayer and Living by Faith 3. Willingness to Sacrifice for Christ 4. A Spirit-Controlled Life 5. Godly Relationships and Interdependence in Ministry 6. A Sense of Urgency in Ministry 7. The Certainty that God Desires to Use Any Life 8. Excellence in Ministry
Frequently Asked Questions:
What Kind of Counseling Will the Clients Encounter? Solution Based Brief Pastoral Counseling:
Solution Based – The counselee comes with problems and is not the problem. Though there may be behavioral changes needed, it is ultimately a realistic solution we work towards that is our objective.
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Brief – A short termed approach to counseling is ideally suited to the time available, training and role demands of the pastor. Referral after the fact will be a goal referring the client to well trained mature members of the church and church leadership or if necessary, professional counselors to ensure the solution goals and spiritual growth of the counselee.
Pastoral – called to serve, pastors are called and equipped to offer help and hope to their congregants and all those who come for care.
Counseling – My definition of this is where conversation and discussions center on spiritual growth. That the proactive outcomes of the counseling conversations are purposeful with good realistic expectations set by the counselee in the counseling setting.
Who Counsels? Counselors are pastors and other qualified individuals trained in biblical counseling.
What Does It Cost? The counseling is free. We provide the facilities, and the counselors volunteer their time and services. Our church family views this as an outreach to our community and the surrounding area.
When Will I Be Counseled? The initial visit with the pastor may be an occasion for a pre-session conversation with follow up visits made by appointment. After the pre-session visit, an intake package will be provided with Counselor’s credentials, qualifications, ethical guidelines and expectations will be given to the counselee as well as an intake form to be submitted before the first formal session.
How Long Will Counseling Last? Normally counseling sessions last one to one and a half hours each week for approximately 4 – 5 weeks. The number of sessions may be shortened or lengthened depending on the progress that is made.
Will My Sessions Be Confidential? Everything is strictly confidential except where, in the counselor's judgment, there is a biblical requirement to involve others, where the counselee makes suggestions of harm and is a potential threat to themselves and/or others and where there is a strong sense that the counselee may involve themselves in some type of criminal activity. If any of these occurrences take place, the counselor will probe deeper into the comments made and inform the counselee of his concern for their comments and possible outcomes.
Notes and Counselee Files
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General notes and observations will be in written form. None of these will be seen by anyone without consultation with the counselee. At the end of the session a copy of the notes are made available to the counselee without charge.
Homework The counselee will be encouraged to develop tasks that can be accomplished between sessions. They will focus on future desires, realistic in expectations and outcomes. Work must be done between counseling sessions to ensure lasting change. Therefore, weekly assignments must be faithfully completed in order to continue counseling.
Outside ReferralsWhen it becomes evident that the problems and challenges facing the counselee need more in depth attention and therapy, appropriate referrals will be made in conjunction with the counselor and counselee.
Counseling Information and Intake Form
(Adapted From: FORT BEND CHRISTIAN COUNSELING CENTER, LLC, 1011 Hwy. 6 South, Suite 314, Houston, TX 77077)
This information is to help us better understand you and your situation. Please fill it out as completely as you can. All information will be held in strict confidence, and released only with your consent. Exceptions to this will be discussed with you by your counselor.
DATE___________________________________
NAME: _________________________________________________________________________First Middle Last Birthdate
ADDRESS: _______________________________________________________________________City State Zip Home Phone Cell Phone
OCCUPATION: ___________________________________________________________________Place of Business Work Phone E-Mail address
WHO REFERRED YOU US? ________________________________________________________
EDUCATION: ___________________________________________________________________ High School Year Graduated College Year Graduated
Major___________________________ Professional Education _________________________
PARENTS: Father's Occupation: ________________________ Living_______________ (if deceased, give date)
Mother's Occupation: _______________________ Living_______________ (if deceased, give date)
Were your parents separated or divorced?________
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If so, indicate your age when the separation occurred. ______________________________
Brothers and Sisters (list from oldest to youngest, including you). Underline half-brothersand/or half-sisters ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Married: (Yes) (No) if so, Spouse's Name: ________________________ Date of Marriage: ______
Children: _________________________________________________________________________(Children’s Names, Ages, & Sex)
_________________________________________________________________________________(Children’s Names, Ages, & Sex)
How long have you lived at your present address? ______________________________________
PREVIOUSLY MARRIED? (YES) (NO) If so, List dates of marriages, dates terminated, how terminated, and ages and sex of any children from those marriages _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, WHOM CAN WE CONTACT?______________________________________________________________________________
Name Relationship Phone
RELIGION: Church Affiliation: ____________________________ Pastor ____________________________
Do you find religion: satisfying ____ challenging ____ dull ____ meaningless____ irrelevant ______
HEALTH: General condition of your health:_____________________________________________
Physical disabilities related to your problem? Yes ___ No ____ If yes, indicate their nature:____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PRESENT MEDICATION: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PREVIOUS COUNSELING OR PSYCHOTHERAPY:From whom: ______________________________________________________________________Address: _________________________________________________________________________Approximate dates: _________________________________________________________________
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PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES:I coming for help because
My Life is
My Family is
My Marriage is
Fun for me isGrowing up in my family was
If I could change one thing in my life
Six months from now, I want
People generally describe me as
PERMISSION FOR PROFESSIONAL INFORMATIONI hereby grant permission for you (my therapist) to share information concerning me with other professionals in order that you may be of greater help to me.
Signed: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________
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Appendix B
Five Topical Areas of Need with Annotated References:AngerTaylor, Glenn, and Rod Wilson. 1997. Helping angry people: A short-term structured model.
Grand Rapids: Baker Books Glenn Taylor, director of counseling and extension at the Missionary Health Institute, Toronto, Ontario; mentored me on my re-entry back into the United States after ten years of overseas missionary service. He and co-author Rod Wilson created this resource as a part of the Strategic Pastoral Counseling Resources, which offers a short term counseling model of hope for those struggling with issues of anger.
Warren, Neil Clark. 1990. Make anger our ally. 2nd ed. Colorado Springs: Focus on the Family Publishers This book presents some new ideas on anger. Make Anger Our Ally gives a clear understanding of anger, anger expression, and its outcomes. It offers strategies and suggestions for those who find their anger aggression debilitating and out of control and gives positive reinforcement in employing good controlled anger expression.
Paddy, Michael. 2009. dAnger zone: Understanding the emotion of anger. 9th ed. Unpublished.Having experienced destructive anger through his youth and young adult life, Paddy’s journey through unrealistic expectations and the accompanying stress and anger that came with it, took his personal journal and created a Microsoft Power Point Presentation in six parts, which he has used to teach others concerning this issue. It is approved for use in required Anger Management Classes in five counties across the United States.
Death Marr, Diane Dempsey. 2002. The reluctant traveler: A pilgrimage through loss and recovery.
Colorado Springs: NavPres Publications. Nothing touches me more mentally and emotionally then the temporal nature of the soul. Dr. Marr’s book, (2002), gives readers clarity in helping themselves and others through the process of loss. It helps the reader through questions and processes to accept loss and move forward through the grieving stages accompanying loss.
Johnson, Paul and Larry Richards. 1982. Death and the caring community. Portland: Multnomah Publishers. Helping people cope with death and face their own death is a great opportunity for church ministry. This book is helpful and informational for any who wish to minister to those in need concerning death and dying.
ForgivenessMcMinn, Mark R. 1996. Psychology, theology, and spirituality in Christian counseling.
Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers. Dr. McMinn has written a book that bridges the challenge I have in bringing Psychotherapy into my theological mindset in counseling. It asks good questions and gives strong practical advice to counselors who need to have an understanding of
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psychology and Theology in their counseling efforts. It is a resource to help me develop as a better counselor in several topical areas of need.
Stanley, Charles. 1987. Forgiveness. Nashville: Oliver Nelson Books A Biblically based book Forgiveness addresses such questions as how to practice a life of forgiveness in terms of one’s relationships and with themselves. It helps the reader in trying to make forgiveness an on-going, practical experience in one’s life
GriefLewis, C.S. 1957 A grief observed. NY: Harper Collins.
A classic book told by someone who experiencing the death of his wife, writes down almost like a journal, his grief experience.
Baker, Don. 1983. Pain’s hidden purpose. Portland: Multnomah PressA simple exploration of suffering and emotions of the Biblical character Job. Empathetic in nature it personalizes the journey with good questions, some left unanswered, to let the reader explore their own suffering in the reading.
Bayly, Joseph. 1973. A view from a hearse. Elgin, IL: D.C. Cook Publishers Losing three children in a short four-year time span, Joseph Bayly talks candidly about death, grief and how it affected him and people around him. It is especially insightful concerning how others treat the bereaved. It provides insight for those who want to try to help people in the grieving process.
Guilt/Fear Seamands, David A. 1988. Healing grace. Wheaton: Victor Books
The book shows how many Christians are in a performance trap when what they really need is healing grace. Seamands says that grace can be the answer to those who are facing guilt, fear, and the need for forgiveness.
Reed, Bobbie. ed. 1998. Baker Handbook of Single Parent Ministry. Grand Rapids: Baker Books
Helpful book that gives topical help to those who find themselves in single parent situations. It includes sections on those who are suddenly thrust into single parenthood through tragic and crisis circumstances.
APPENDIX C
My Relational Style Action Plan My Relational Style Action Plan
1) My overarching goal for life is: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13 NIV). I have always tried to bring an optimistic point of view to others. Through this class I have learned that this is not only good and fits SBBFC, but integrating a positive psychology mindset can bring healing, hope, and solutions ‘plus’ to others, even overflowing.
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2) My three highest spiritual gift tendencies are: Encouraging/Exhorting, Mercy, and Teaching. This means I tend to be more encouraging, caring and in-depth
3) The overuse of these gifts sometimes makes me talkative, insensitive, and deep for simple fellowship with others.
4) My highest personality profile plotting point in Graph 1: ‘S’ Graph 2:’C’. This means I tend to be less cautious and calculating publicly, but more careful and critical thinking privately.
5) The overuse of this type sometimes makes me someone who is negative, critical and demanding. I can place high, unrealistic expectations on others and myself. Because of this, I can be indecisive afraid to commit for fear of being misunderstood or turning people off with too demanding of ideas, thoughts and opinions. This also leads into a quagmire when overuse or misuse of my spiritual gifts creates a talkative, too sensitive, and too academic, deep me.
6) My most obvious combination personality and spiritual gift type (relational style) is: “S” with the gift of Encouraging. This makes me a sweet encourager with the ability to show slow, simple steps of action to help others. Combined with mercy and you get someone who specializes in times of crisis and suffering. This mix also likes to stabilize bad situations with disarming passivity.
7) To communicate and relate with others more effectively I should use my words wisely. I should not allow myself to be pulled into every crisis at the detriment of my other responsibilities.
8) My greatest blessing and/ or struggle concerning my giftedness is how complimentary the three are in my life and ministry. Encouragement, with mercy allows me to teach well not too deep and avoid getting lost in the statistics.
9) I should guard or improve my following spiritual gift tendencies by listening well, helping when needed without too much attention, and think in simple terms when teaching or sharing any truth in any setting.
10) I should guard or improve my following personality tendencies by listening well and staying engaged in the role of the listener in a conversation. Resist the temptation of telling everyone everything that I know about any subject allowing the solutions to flow from the person with me being the spiritual director, conductor. I should not get too hyper or vigilant but allow the Holy Spirit to open doors for spiritual gift led ministry.
11) I will check/control my relational style, in order to demonstrate fit with a D relational style, through the following strategy: Provide clear goals and directions in tasks and expectations. Avoid verbose lengthy questions and answers; give them room to show their gifts. Give them options, choices, not ultimatums or narrow-minded tasks.
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12) I will check/control my relational style, in order to demonstrate fit with an I relational style, through the following strategy: Letting them talk till they feel they are through or have adequately expressed themselves. They need to believe that I am a wiling listener to all they have to say and express accolade for their progress and efforts.
13) I will check/control my relational style, in order to demonstrate fit with a S relational style, through the following strategy: Giving them room to feel secure and safe. Making sure the counseling setting is relaxed and friendly. Be consistent with my words and actions making them trust me.
14) I will check/control my relational style, in order to demonstrate fit with a C relational style, through the following strategy: By making sure everything is spelled out ahead of time. I should not create surprises or make spontaneous comments or evaluations. A secure environment where the “C” has time to evaluate and make decisions at their own pace.
15) To grow more spiritually, I will utilize the following spiritual disciplines to read the Word of God and meditate more on its application and meaning for me at the time of my reading. To be quiet more often spending time in contemplative prayer and listening.
16) To avoid and resolve conflicts more effectively, I will covenant with God to engage the following protocol: Listen well, speak when necessary and use words that clarify rather than control, offer answers or criticize.
17) My prayer in discovering my relational style and demonstrating fit through my life and profession/ministry is to continue to grow in self-awareness, specifically the weaknesses that accompany the positive strengths they bring. To be self-aware so I can be others focused. .
APPENDIX D
My Journey Through PACO 500 Journal
Week 1Reference: The church is filled with as stated by Clinton and Hawkins, (2007), “people
who desperately need to experience God’s care”
Reflection: Two thoughts come to me concerning this quote. First, the word filled comes to the forefront. It is not always evident to the eye that there is such an amount of pain in people’s lives. We have it all together afraid to show vulnerability. Maybe because the soul care that is missing is replaced by ‘me first’ or taking the part of the greatest command out of context, love others as myself, so I must really, really love myself to appreciate that value of loving others.
Relocation: I must embrace my calling as a pastor and see my role as a soul care provider. I also must model this in my own life for others to see, as an example for them to learn and grow.
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Week 2Reference: The Hawkins’ scenario in the Power Point, The pastoral counseling scenario
Part 1: The counseling setting , (Rice 2007), says, “…the pastoral counselor must be flexible and develop a sensitivity to the “third ear” ― listening to the Holy Spirit in order to tailor counseling to each individual.” (slide 9).
Reflection: The third ear, what an interesting description of “living by the spirit” (Gal. 5:25 ESV). If there is a way for God the Holy Spirit to speak to us how will it sound? My theology says that the Author of the Word of God inspired it in such a way to give us answers to life and living, (1 Tim. 3:16, 17). Then growing this third ear is vital in the preparation of the counselor.
Relocation: My prayer this day is to listen well both to the counselee and to the Holy Spirit who is present in me so is also present in the counseling session. Understand that sensitivity means to be flexible and a learner. I do not have to have all the right answers, after all according to the Microsoft Power Point Solution Focused Approach, (2000), “the client is an expert in their own problems” (slide 2).
Week 3Reference: Profs_Preview_of_Week3 says: “Week 3 will build upon our foundation as
we begin to wrestle with the question: What is Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and how does it become Solution-Blessed Brief Pastoral Counseling (SBBPC)? In other words, our task is to filter/sift a few secular theoretical orientations (gain commentary from General Revelation) through the lens of a responsible faith-based eclecticism (integrate through the authority of Special Revelation), whereby, knowledge is produced and applied to the pastoral context.”
SAY WHAT?! Is that even English?
Reflection: I am not as smart as I think or thought I was. It reminds me of a statement made by Dr. Howard Hendricks at a conference called: How to Keep the Elephant off Your Air Hose, (1983), “If you can choose to do anything you want besides ministry, do it…but if you cannot do anything else but ministry, then prepare yourself well.”
Relocation: I will attempt to grasp and implement the meaning of “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me” (1 Cor. 15:10 ESV).
Week 4Reference: “Our paradigms have the power to keep us from hearing and seeing what
could happen” (Kollar 1997, 16). It tells us that sometimes we have things that we have learned and implemented which become entrenched dogmas from which I can become paralyzed.
Reflection: Alcohol Anonymous Big Book (2001 18th ed.) calls this entrenchment, “contempt before investigation” (256). How many times do I take a stance on an issue, a belief, only to see sometimes years later that I was too rigid due to youthful inexperience and immaturity? There are theological boundaries that form my theology of God. They also form my thoughts on almost every issue of life I encounter. I must then understand how that affects both
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my style and ability to counsel, and the effect on the counselee. It could be easy to see counseling as an outreach of the church for evangelism and church growth rather than true soul care.
Relocation: I need wisdom to sift through all the information and theories, styles, languages being presented to me in this course. I am here to learn and engage in a process of learning that includes experience and other students. Find the way to bring all I am to bear on all I learn. I want to be open, useful, usable, and successful in helping people in need.
Week 5Reference: My reference point this week were the postings of my new group. All seem
very competent and confident in their posting. They seem focused with a good compass of the direction they are taking.
Reflection: Reading the past postings of my new group I feel a great sense of insecurity. It speaks to my personality set of High S. I found myself wanting to shift to my “what is expected of me personality.
Relocation: I did learn a lot especially from their 4th posting. I will like I did in DB3 refocus with greater understanding of what is required for this part of the course. I have a better view with the help of my new group see that though I have much to offer and have a good gift set for counseling, I almost feel left out that joining this late, I might have missed out. BUT, I now am here and will “listen” to what my classmates are writing to increase my skills and learning in being a better more proficient pastor/counselor.
Week 6Reference: H.O.P.E. - Hopeful, Optimistic, Positive, and Expectant; supportive
feedback. The goal of supportive feedback is to provide this type of hope in our listening in our speech in our supportive attention to the care seeker and their problem.
Reflection: As I write this there is a television show on the television of a girl who was raped and attacked, then violently beaten with her hair sheared from her head. They pointed a gun to her head and dropped the gun. The victim picks up the gun and randomly shoots killing one of the girls and making the others flee. The perpetrators are still angry and wanting even more revenge against the victim. The girl who was violated, is sad, depressed crying and scared. The last scene before the commercial is the victim taking the gun and pointing it to her chest to pull the trigger. She has lost all hope. How do we begin to give someone like this a renewed hope?
Relocation: I must live with the expectant hope God gives me every day. I need to be able to let others see this hope in a real and vibrant way. This might mean that I sacrifice my own needs and desires to do it, but it is necessary for a servant of the Lord not to strive but to gently persuade giving them a chance for change, (2 Tim. 2:24-26).
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Week 7Reference: “In order to support and secure ongoing change, other appreciative
helpers/hopers are needed. One of our guiding assumptions is that change is best supported and secured through the body of Christ. This learning journey presents the idea that one purpose of the local church is to further growth and development of people by fostering connection and accountability to healing, healthy, and holy relationships/ministries” (Rice 2009: DB Forum 5c requirements)
Reflection: The church is a collective, a group of people. Though one person is a member of the universal church the church’s strength is in its cooperation with each other, utilizing each other’s gifts to corporately be the body of Christ to the fullest.
Relocation: To bring successful integration into my present ministry I must develop mature Christians who understand their spiritual gifts, responsibilities to the church body, and how to serve the Lord without compensation, privilege or present pride driven reward. I will do this by studying examples of churches, past and present. I will implement spiritual strategic disciplines in the body and continue to be a spiritual director in the lives of those Christians who desire to have a more stable and complete relationship and walk with our Savior.
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REFERENCES
American Association of Christian Counselors. 2004. America Association of Christian Counselors’ code of ethics. From: http://www.aacc.net/about-us/code-of-ethics/. Accessed July 15, 2009.
Benner, David G. 2003. Strategic pastoral counseling: A short-term structured model. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Publishing Group.
Bridges, Jerry. (1988). Trusting God. Colorado Springs: NavPress
Clinton, Dr. Tim, and Dr. Ron Hawkins. 2007. Biblical counseling quick reference guide: Personal and emotional issues. United States: AACC Press.
Covey, Stephen. 1989. The 7 habits of highly effective people. New York: Simon and Schuster Publishers
Crabb, Lawrence J. 1987. Understanding People. Grand Rapids: Zondervan
———. 1997. Connecting: A radical new vision. Nashville: Word Publishing.
———. 2005. Odyssey: Positive psychology- more narcissism? or a welcome corrective? From: http://www.ecounseling.com/articles/630. Accessed July 2, 2009.
Dempsey, Rod. 2006. Small group leadership training. From: bb7.liberty.edu. accessed July 23, 2009.
Greenberg, Gail, Keren Ganshorn, and Alanna Danilkewich. 2001. Solution-focused therapy: Counseling model for busy family physicians. In Canadian Family Physician Vol. 47, (November): 2289-2295. http://www.imgcommunicationspecialist.com/solution-focusedtherapyvol47-nov-cme.pdf
Hawkins, Ron. 2007 Pastoral Assessment Model. HTML Hyper-flash audio file. From: bb7.liberty.edu. First accessed June 27, 2009, Last accessed July 9, 2009.
Kanel, Kristi. 2007. A guide to crisis intervention. 3rd ed. Belmont: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning.
Kent, Keri Wyatt. 2007. Fix my small groups! Outreach Magazine. (September/October 2007). From: http://www.christianitytoday.com/outreach/articles/fixmysmallgroups.html. accessed July 23, 2009
Kollar, Charles. 1997. Solution-focused pastoral counseling. Grand Rapids: Zondervan
Larson, Bruce, Paul Anderson, and Doug Self. 1990. Mastering pastoral care. Portland: Multnomah Press.
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Marr, Diane Dempsey, Ph.D. 2002. The reluctant traveler: A pilgrimage through loss and recovery. Colorado Springs: NavPres Publications.
McDowell, Josh and Bob Hostetler. 1996. Josh McDowell’s handbook on counseling youth. Dallas: Word Publishing.
McMinn, Mark R. 1996. Psychology, theology, and spirituality in Christian counseling. Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers.
Nickell, Jodi. 2006. The 8 habits of effective small group leaders. Adapted from David Earley. (nd). The 8 habits of effective small group leaders. From: bb7.liberty.edu. accessed July 23, 2009.
Nouwen, Henri, Michael Christiansen, and Rebecca Laird. (2006). Spiritual direction: Wisdom for the long walk of faith. New York: Harper Collins Publishers.
Petersen, James C. 2007. Why don’t we listen better? Communicating and connecting in relationships:Tigard, OR: Petersen Publications
Rice, Dwight C. 2007. Study guide for Hawkins’ pastoral assessment model. From: bb7.liberty.edu. accessed June 27, 2009
———. 2007. The pastoral counseling scenario Part 1: The counseling setting. Microsoft Power Point file. From: bb7.liberty.edu. accessed June 27, 2009.
———. 2007. An overview of solution-focused pastoral counseling influenced by solution focused brief therapy. Microsoft Power Point file. From: bb7.liberty.edu. accessed July 6, 2009.
———. 2008 Solution-blessed, brief pastoral counseling (SBBPC) project instructions. From: bb7.liberty.edu. Accessed June 16, 2009.
Trenhaile, Jay. (2000). Solution Focused Approach. Microsoft Power Point file. From: bb7.liberty.edu. accessed July 6, 2009.
Willard, Dallas. 2002. Renovation of the heart: Putting on the character of Christ. Colorado Springs: NavPress.
Wilson, Sandra D. 2001 Hurt People, Hurt People. Grand Rapids: Discovery House Publishers.
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SOLUTION-BASED, BRIEF PASTORAL COUNSELING (SBBPC) PROJECT GRADING GUIDELINES
The following represents an additive grading rubric. Instead of beginning with 100 and losing points for errors, you begin with a 0 and earn points for your work. In determining your grade, three questions will be asked:
QUESTION VALUES TOTAL 100 POINTS
INTRODUCTION OF SBBPC? Question Value: 15 Points
Abstract: Did it introduce context (2), overarching goal (2), andidentify care seeker (2)?
Points: 6 Table of Contents: Organized with appropriate headings &
subheadings (4), References (1), Appendix (Appendices identified) (2), and Grading Guideline (2)? Points: 9
PART 1 OF SBBPC: The Counseling Setting? Question Value: 30 Points
Introduction: Overview of SBBPC w/rationale (5) & assumptions (5) Points: 10 Pre-session Package: Essential elements explained (2), adequately
prepared (2) & located in Appendix (6): Overview of SBBPC; Statement of Beliefs and/or Worldview; Ethical Guidelines; Intake Form(s); Informed Consent; and ReferralProcess? Points: 10
Annotated References of 5 subjects: 3 Required - grief, anger, forgiveness;2 student’s choice ; and 10 annotated entries/2 per subject? Points: 5
Journal: Minimum of 7 substantive entries (Wk 1-7 = 1 per week) Points: 5
PART 2 OF SBBPC: The Counselor’s Style? Question Value: 10 Points
Identified relational language, described relational style (integratedassessments and course materials)? Points: 5
Explained plan for controlling Relational Style utilizing course resources and placed Action Plan in Appendix? Points: 5PART 3 OF SBBPC: The Counseling Strategy/Structure? Question Value: 20 Points
P1: Use of assumptions, clear distinction of phase, aim, role and goal, skill set used to demonstrate fit in aligning w/counselee’s style? Points: 5
P2: Use of assumptions, clear distinction of phase, aim, role and goal, pastoral assessment, skill set used in collaborative goal description and
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identification of strengths and resources? Points: 5
P3: Use of assumptions, clear distinction of phase, aim, role and goal, skill set used in collaborative development of vision clarification? Points: 5
P4: Use of assumptions, clear distinction of phase, aim, role and goal, skill set used in consolidating change, and partnerships activated to support and secure change? Points: 5
PART 4 OF SBBPC: The Counseling Summation? Question Value: 25 Points
Discussed the versatility of the supportive feedback technique? Points: 5
Developed a procedure for reflexive praxis, identified/secured aMentor/Friend, and developed debriefing guidelines? Points: 10
SBBPC project was written according to graduate-level expectations, Formatted according to Turabian (7e) Reference Style Guidelines, utilized required resources and at least two secondary sources, Appendices (single-spaced) and consisted of no more than 40 pages (in its entirety)? Points: 10
Grade: Comments:
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