Elders and counseling
This article examines the proper role of elders in pastoral counseling and addresses the limitations of ministerial and elder care in addressing complex spiritual, mental, and physical needs within the congregation. The author argues that while elders possess biblical knowledge and spiritual authority, they sometimes require additional resources and expertise—particularly in cases involving depression and sin—to adequately support struggling members of the church.
God has ordained elders for their place in the church, and God has worked in them spiritually in their upbringing in their homes, in catechism and in the preaching, to prepare them for the work they will need to do in their office. But this training is not sufficient for all the help some saints need. This contribution is not to criticize the work of our minsters and elders, but to make everyone more aware of some of the great and difficult needs of hurting saints, which the ministers and...
Full article available on sb.rfpa.org