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Originally Posted by andrewlittle
As has been a practice since long before being a minister, I try not to filter what others say in intimate or revealing conversations through my own moral barometer. My concern in a situation like that described in the article - or in Ben's - would be the two people involved.
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This is such an important skill, Andy. Without it you can't really hear what people are saying through their pain ... or even, sometimes, through their joy.
Quote:
Originally Posted by andrewlittle
I also come poorly equipped to be helpful in the long-run in anything other than a pastoral role. Most couples in this situation would need professional counseling, which I could not provide, but I could augment that by encouraging theological reflection and by affirming the Godly image in each of us. I would gladly work along with their counselling to deal with religious issues.
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Thank you for providing this dimension. Pastors sometimes forget that people with important issues they are working out also have a spiritual life. If they are active members of a church, they see those issues in terms of their relationship to God. No one wants to be reduced to a mental health diagnosis. They want to be affirmed in the whole of their persona. That's an important pastoral skill that I fear is not taught or remembered. Do seminarians still do CPE time in mental health clinics or hospitals? And when I say mental health, I don't mean crazy. Everyone has to take care of their mental health, just as they should take care of their physical health. And Andy reminds us here how important it is to care for our spiritual health as well, seeking out a spiritual counselor when approrpiate.