The trainees in Faith Counseling Ministries’ eleven week training class have the opportunity to sit in on live counseling sessions. At the end of the program they are asked to critique the class, instructors and counselors. Some young men seem to have a problem with my personal approach. I suspect they wanted me to diagnose the problem and then give a three step solution. I received this criticism enough times that I began to think it might be valid and I should cease using personal stories. But then I realized that I was much older than these young men. Most of them had not lived long enough to have personal experiences. Also, I was aware that pastors and authors of Christian books often used personal illustrations. Who at Faith Church hasn’t enjoyed and benefited from one of Pastor Steve Viars’ swimming pool building stories?
When counseling couples who are facing marital problems, I sometimes use Dave Harvey’s book When Sinners Say I Do. I ask my counselees to read the last chapter first. Even if I do not intend to use this book I sometimes loan them my copy so they can read the last chapter. Yes, I have a
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