5 to Live By: 5 Top Christian Blog Posts of the Week
Linking you to the top 5 Christian blog posts of the week—posts that provide robust, rich, and relevant insights for living.
Pastoral Confidentiality
In pastoral ministry, what is the nature and extent of confidentiality? What can we promise someone we talk to as a minister? What are the limits of confidentiality? What should we tell parishioners before we start one-another ministry? What should the minister’s spouse know or not know? Pastor Tom Ascol provides his perspective in My Confidentiality Policy.
Biblical Counseling Confidentiality Form
For another perspective on biblical counseling confidentiality, you can download for free my Biblical Counseling Welcome Form. This two-page form includes the following biblical counseling confidentiality statement.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality is an important aspect of the biblical counseling relationship, and we will carefully guard the information you entrust to us. All communications between you and our LEAD Biblical Counseling Ministry offices will be held in strict confidence, unless you (or a parent in the case of a minor) give authorization to release this information. The exceptions to this would be: 1.) if a person expresses intent to harm himself/herself or someone else; 2.) if there is evidence or reasonable suspicion of abuse against a minor child, elder person, or dependent adult; 3.) if a subpoena or other court order is received directing the disclosure of information; 4.) if/when LEAD Biblical Counselors consult with their supervision; or 5.) if a person persistently refuses to renounce a particular sin (habitual unrepentant rebellion against the Word of God) and it becomes necessary to seek the assistance of others in the church to encourage repentance, restoration, and reconciliation (see Matthew 18:15-20 and our Church Discipline Policy). Please be assured that our counselors strongly prefer not to disclose personal information to others, and that they will make every effort to help you find ways to resolve a problem as privately as possible.
This form is taken from the Appendix of Equipping Counselors for Your Church.
Church Discipline Policy
Church discipline also relates to pastoral and biblical counseling confidentiality. At RPM Ministries you can also download a free two-page sample Church Discipline Policy: Restoring the Purity of the Body of Christ.
This form is taken from the Appendix of Equipping Counselors for Your Church.
10 Resources for Depression
If you or someone you love is struggling with depression, what help is available? The folks at Austin Stone Counseling list Ten Resources for Depression for getting help.
493 Churches to Watch
Kent Shaffer at his Church Relevance site has collated what he considers to be “top” churches we can learn from. Find information and links to all of them in 493 Churches to Watch.
Join the Conversation
Which post impacted you the most? Why? What blog posts have you enjoyed this week that you want to share with others?
RPM Ministries: Equipping You to Change Lives with Christ’s Changeless Truth
