Church's function in Christians' lives, and counseling | ACBC Exam Question #20

                       What role does the church play in the believer’s life and the counseling process?

            Like home and family life is where children are raised to maturity; the church is to function in the life of a believer in their faith.  The church is to, “…proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ.” (Colossians 1:28)  The local church ought to be sought out by every believer; “not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:25).  We were designed for community, the people we choose to do life with will influence us, so we ought to seek out others with like faith to learn, be encouraged, and have accountability (2 Corinthians 6:14).

             The Bible is clear that the church is to be involved in believers lives through; using the Scriptures to present the gospel, teach doctrine, guide believers in righteousness and good works (2 Timothy 3:15-17),  building each other up in Christ (Ephesians 2:19-22), confronting sin (Matthew 18:15-20), mutual accountability (Acts 20:28), developing and serving with spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12), providing each other support in trials, and rejoicing in good times (1 Corinthians 12:25-26), maturing believers in faith, perfecting them for ministry, giving guidance against false doctrine, (Ephesians 4:11-15), an environment of unity and love in which the Word is used to admonish, give wisdom, and where songs of thanksgiving are sung to God (Colossians 3:14-16). 

             The local church is God’s design for the believer to grow, learn, and change.  Naturally counseling should take place within it; casually and formally.  Many of the ways the church is to function in the life of a believer listed happen in healthy churches as believers attend Sunday School, worship services, bible studies, through friendships, etc.  But when a Christian is struggling and in need guidance and Scriptural help these things need to happen in a confidential, concentrated way through counseling for a time until there is confidence they are dealing biblically with circumstances and are able to function using the Word of God to respond and live biblically in their situation.  Jay Adams challenges the church; “Let the church, then, assume her counseling duty, and let Christians of all sorts encourage her to do so.  Let no one stand in her way, lest he be found opposing her Head and King Himself!”¹   May we counsel in our churches so we can say; “…to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:21)

¹“A Theology of Christian Counseling”, Jay Adams, page 280