Disfunctional people and the love of God.

[SDG]

Originally Posted by nahkoe

I've noticed there are a few online master's in education programs here. I like the online option, it's nice and perfectly fits my learning style. Unfortunately, I really have no desire to teach at any level lower than college. I just really don't think I could handle teaching someone who doesn't want to be there w/o having the option of pointing at the door. lol I do respect those who can teach at the lower grade levels. I've been tutoring this semester and enjoy it so much! Although I've found that if I get paired with a student who's less than motivated, I get a little cranky about my wasted time. heh

I like the classroom but it may be time to get out ...

These to master's options will afford me the opportunity to.

What school are you enrolled in? PM if you don't want to disclose on public forum?

[sherr34]

Bump

[Rhoni]

Thank you for bringing this thread back to the forfront. In the past few years I have found that some Pastors are onboard and see the need for a counseling ministry while others cannot trust or turn loose of the control they have over the saints of the church and their lives.

Confidentiality and Ethics are the cornerstone to good counseling. People need a safe place to lay out their thoughts, and even their family dysfunctions on the table, without them being used against them or thrown up in their face when things come up in church.

It is difficult to understand and allow counseling ministry when one is unaware of mental illness, cause and effects, and the liability of having one on staff. Ignorance creates more fear than necessary.

Licensed professionals have to have their own malpractice insurance. Professional counselors refrain from giving advice but help the client to explore their own values and strengths to find the answer for themselves.

Sometimes people just need a safe place to speak their own thoughts so they can see them from alternative perspectives. If a person does not understand mental illness and is afraid of the signs and symptoms of it; they cannot but make the client uncomfortable and even afraid to open up to them.

What Pastor's don't realize:
1. The counselor cannot give out confidential information on a client just because the Pastor feels he has a right to know about the saints he Pastors.
2. There has to be a release of information signed and dated by the client to allow anyone access to the content of the sessions.
3. The counselor has a duty to report any child abuse, or intent to harm self, or others.
4. Counselors are there to help the minister not to take his/her place.

Mental illness is a reality and if you want to meet the needs of your congregation then there are things you must know, or have someone on staff who knows.

Just some thoughts on this matter.

Blessings, Rhoni

[Rhoni]

*bump*

[nahkoe]

Interesting timing for *me* for this thread to show up again.

8 months after posting this, 14 months after walking into a church after a whole lot of years out, and I think I may have finally laid to rest my reason for posting this in the first place. Interesting timing.