A fourth benefit of our TEAM approach to ministry helps the staff and volunteer biblical counselors themselves. Ministry conducted alone can burden and overwhelm a biblical counselor. In this model, two counselors share the burden of prayer and preparation for counseling sessions. Counseling in teams is not in order to cut the workload in half. On the contrary, in some respects, it may require more effort to work in a team. Both persons are responsible for prayer and preparation in order to enhance the counseling session.
What is great about this approach is that we often have 2 very different people working together, united in Christ, to serve hurting people. These 2 people bring radically different experiences and a different knowledge base to the counseling room. What a blessing that is to the people we serve!
At times, the two counselors will be equal in experience and expertise. At other times, one counselor may be in a role of mentor to a less experienced counselor, depending upon the specifics of the case. We are trying to replicate ourselves and love the opportunities presented to equip students, lay persons, and pastors in the “micro-discipleship” of biblical counseling.
In any scenario, the biblical counselors working in teams are encouraged and strengthened in their partnership with each other. They can debrief with each other after a session to discuss what worked in the session and what needs improvement. They can also discuss the strategy for the next session. They often learn from one another!
Our approach falls in line with 1 Corinthians 11:1: “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (ESV)
-Mark (daily learning to imitate Christ from the godly, wise people serving in TIL)