Helper - How to Counsel Effectively - Davidson Okpala - Bog

The place of counselling in the church and fellowship groups, subtitled, Peo- ples'-Helper or one that cares.
The church and fellowship groups must accept the responsibility for helping people with problems. By this, we allow the love of Christ to flow out of us to others. This demonstrates practical, sacrificial concern as the bible teaches in (1Thess.5:14), we read:
"Dear brothers, warn those who are lazy: comfort those who are frightened, take tender care of those who are weak; and be patient with every one". (T.L.B) in Rom. 12:15; Paul said we should rejoice with those that rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
In counselling, we are called to be sensitive to each other's need and wherever it is necessary, reach out to help.
Many times when we talk about help, our mind goes to financial help and we become scared, but there are timely advices or counselling that is worth more than money.
"Where there is no counsel, the people will fall: but in the multitude of counsel- lors, there is safety". (Prov. 11:14);
Without counsel purposes are disappointed, but in the multitude of counselors they are established. (Prov. 15:22)
Every one enjoys giving God advice, and how wonderful it is to be able to say the right thing at the right time (Prov. 15:23) TLB.
Timely advice is as lovely as Gold apples in a silver basket. (Prov. 25:11.TLB)
People have been saved from committing suicide through counselling. Today in the church and fellowships, many are very self-centered, that many come to fellowship with us with their burdens (heavy hearts) and go back home with dis- appointments.
In every true worship center, the needs of people are supposed to be met.
If the church creates room for such people in counselling, so many sick mar- riages and broken hearts will receive their healings
A good counsellor does not just sympathize with his counselee but em- pathizes with them.