Using psychology in ministry


RBurkett67
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4 minutes ago, RBurkett67 said:

Dear Jonathan,

 

Thank you for making a reply.  I was just starting a new topic not knowing if any one had a psychology or social work license.  

 

Thanks again for being honest.  

 

Sincerest Dr. Rev. Burkett 

 

Thank you.  I think it is urgent that I know my limitations and not pretend competence.  When I am capable, it means that I can be trusted.

 

 

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1 minute ago, RBurkett67 said:

Thank you so much.  I can be trusted also.  That is very sweet and professional.  If you wish to talk further with me, here is my email:

 

psychology2011becca@gmail.com

 

Sincerest Rev. Burkett

 

 

Thank you.  Not at this time.  I do appreciate the thought.

 

 

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15 hours ago, RBurkett67 said:

Minsters using psychology in their work.  In your work how do you use psychology to help people with deep emotional issues or family matters.?  Like, Unlike, Not Sure.  What are your thoughts?  

 

I personally don't think "ministers" should engage people with deep emotional issues, simply because they aren't really trained to treat people with real psychological issues.  Everyone needs to know their limits, and a minister who engages people with real psychological issues is stepping outside of their field of expertise.. jmo  

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7 hours ago, cuchulain said:

People with deep emotional issues, or psychological issues, can have major susceptibility issues as well.  These are the people that say the tv show made them do it, or the book, or the comic book, or God...at least that is my opinion.

 

Yes.  Let's not forget -- "The Devil made me do it".    :D   

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13 hours ago, Jonathan H. B. Lobl said:

 

Yes.  Let's not forget -- "The Devil made me do it".    :D   

Actually, for some, that is already implied when considering they think virtually any form or all of media is "the devil's" influence.

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On 12/24/2017 at 8:58 AM, cuchulain said:

People with deep emotional issues, or psychological issues, can have major susceptibility issues as well.  These are the people that say the tv show made them do it, or the book, or the comic book, or God...at least that is my opinion.

 

If you've ever been to a Pentecostal or Charismatic meeting, you've likely seen a lot of people who already have emotional issues, and the church is quick to capitalize on that susceptibility.. So in that respect,  psychology has been used in ministries to dupe people for decades.. jmo

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9 hours ago, Dan56 said:

 

If you've ever been to a Pentecostal or Charismatic meeting, you've likely seen a lot of people who already have emotional issues, and the church is quick to capitalize on that susceptibility.. So in that respect,  psychology has been used in ministries to dupe people for decades.. jmo

 

I understood the original question, to be about therapeutic Psychology.  If we are widening the question to include predatory Psychology -- there's the whole Damnation doctrine.  The process by which the Hell  is scared into people.  

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On 12/23/2017 at 11:30 AM, Dan56 said:

 

I personally don't think "ministers" should engage people with deep emotional issues, simply because they aren't really trained to treat people with real psychological issues.  Everyone needs to know their limits, and a minister who engages people with real psychological issues is stepping outside of their field of expertise.. jmo  

By the same token, a minister is also not trained to determine who does and does not have "real psychogical issues," nor to determine which "real psychological issues" require specialized treatment outside of the minister's ability to perform.

 

As such, denying someone the same services given to others, solely on the basis of a presumption of "real psychological issues," could be nothing more than discrimination against the disabled (or the presumed disabled), which is illegal.

 

Now, if someone's actions or personality make you feel they won't benefit from your services, that is a perfectly reasonable thing to say, and it can be done without resorting to an amateur psychological diagnosis.

 

Bear in mind that a minister will necessarily be faced with a lot of people who are under severe psychological stress. The grieving and those in existential crisis tend to flock to the church, and their temporary emotional states can mimic the symptoms of some pretty nasty disorders. So, really, if a minister refuses to help anyone who seems crazy, he makes himself able to only help those who need his help the least.

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i agree with others about being out of our league.if it appears to be something that we don't have the proper training to handle(which would include most of us),then the kindest thing we can do is refer them to someone who is trained.that and be as supportive as possible.

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4 hours ago, Brother Kaman said:

Wow! Are we talking religious counseling or mental therapy?

 

Sometimes, there's not much of a difference :).. On the Christian Chat forum, everyone's advise to someone else who is having marital problems or anything else, is to "Talk to your Pastor".  If a woman is being abused, talk to your Minister, if your husband is watching porn, talk to your Reverend, if your struggling with an addiction, talk to your Preacher, and if your sexually abusing children, talk to a Priest :D.. Go figure?

 

I don't have a problem with religious counseling for some superficial matters, but serious emotional or psychological disorders should be handled by a professional.  Can't find a job, go to an employment agency, feeling sick, see a doctor, need money, talk to a banker, mentally confused, see a shrink, not a priest.. It always amazes me that couples ask a priest about marital issues, when a priest would likely be the last one to know anything about it.

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6 hours ago, Dan56 said:

It always amazes me that couples ask a priest about marital issues, when a priest would likely be the last one to know anything about it.

Isaac Newton was not an apple, yet he was able to learn a lot by observing apples. A priest may have no firsthand knowledge of what it is like to be married, but they can have a ton of observational evidence regarding what does and does not produce a successful marriage. And, potentially, they have a level of objectivity the rest of us don't, so they may even see the matter more clearly.

As a first step, "Ask your pastor" will usually be solid advice. Clergy tend to operate at the center of a social network. While a minister may not know the answer to your question, they probably know someone who does.  

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