SOLUTION-BLESSED BRIEF PASTORAL COUNSELING PROJECT

By

Michael V. Paddy

Student ID# 22282275

Presented to Dwight C. Rice. D.Min. (Phd Candidate)

In partial fulfillment of the requirements of
Introduction to Pastoral Counseling
PACO 500

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary

Lynchburg, VA
December 7, 2021
 ABSTRACT

“The purpose of this project is to contextualize this course into a practical, pastoral

counseling model utilizing a solution-focused approach under the influence of an overarching

goal” (Rice 2008, 1).

I will attempt to bring all the theories, processes and practices to bear on this Solution-

Blessed Brief Pastoral Counseling, (SBBPC), project to show competency on my part in

explaining and synthesizing this class into my life.

Because I believe that the counseling process involves the care-seeker and just as

important me as the care-provider, I have chosen two overarching goals to remind me of the

purpose in the counseling journey. Romans 15:13, reminds me that the end results of the

counseling relationship ends in overflow of hope. I Peter 5:2 in the Phillips Translation reminds

me of my motivation and calling for the caregiver as being central to the healing process of the

souls under my care.

Bruce Murakami is the care-seeker I will use in my attempt to try and implement the

Solution-Blessed Brief Pastoral Counseling theory as his care-provider. Suffering from a tragic,

devastating loss Bruce is confused, lost, and inconsolable at times. This is very natural for

someone who in the midst of a sudden and tragic loss of a loved one. I am using three different

counseling experiences I have and am going through with people exhibiting some of the same

issues facing Bruce Murakami from the movie and the case study provided by the class.

Using the Uniquely You, Personalizing My Faith, (2009), personality profiling tool,

Bruce seems to be a “D/C” mix with “D” being the dominant personality feature. Watching

filmed interviews of the real Bruce Murakami, I have added the personality feature of “I” as a

minor influencing trait.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT………………………………………………….……………………………………2

PART 1: The Counseling Setting…………………………………………………………………4

The Rationale……………………………………………………………………………...4

The Guiding Assumptions………………………………………………………………...5

The Process Overview……………………………………………………………………..6

PART 2: The Counselor’s Style…………………………………………………………………..8

PART 3: The Counseling Sessions………………………………………………………………11

Phase 1 — P1…………………………………………………………………………….11

Phase 2 — P2…………………………………………………………………………….13

Phase 3 — P3…………………………………………………………………………….15

Phase 4 — P4…………………………………………………………………………….18

PART 4: The Counseling Conclusions…………………………………………………………..20

APPENDIX………………………………………………………………………………………22

APPENDIX A: Pre-Session Package…………………………………………………….22

APPENDIX B: Annotated References for use in biblio-therapy/supportive feedback….28

APPENDIX C: My Relational Style Action Plan………………………………………..29

APPENDIX D: My Journey through PACO 500 Journal………………………………..31

REFERENCES…………………………………………………………………………………..35

PACO 500 FINAL PROJECT GRADING GUIDELINES……………………………………...37

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 PART ONE: THE COUNSELING SETTING

The Rationale

Psychology has historically tried to delve deep into the conscious and subconscious of

individuals in great need. Not just exploring the past but also trying to assemble a theory and

solution to the problems plaguing the present state of the person. This is done by seeing the past

problems, psychosis and environmental issues for the present phenomena.

A solution-Blessed, brief pastoral counseling process recognizes the past for what it is but

is focused on the present and a hopeful future through a positive psychology based theory with a

brief or limited focus on the present issues. In conjunction with this is a foundation built by the

counselor built on trust through recognition of personality of the counselor, the integrating

personality of the counselee.

With that in mind, I have reviewed how I might rationalize using SBBPC as a critical and

intentional model as I attempt to provide soul care for my congregation.

1. The counselor must have a well-defined sense of who he is so that he can make sure

he is not a barricade in building the necessary relationship with the care-seeker. This

relational interaction would build trust and confidence in the heart and soul of the

counselee so that he can speak truth to the counselor and trust the counselor in order

to accept truth in return.

2. SBBPC provides a systematic format necessary in setting up a successful counseling

scenario. It provides intentionality of counseling in stages. These stages are rigid

enough to hit all the pieces needed for a focused counseling season, yet fluid enough

to understand that when dealing with human emotions it is impossible to have a

checklist or a script in front of us that might have all the answers for every problem

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 we confront. “…the pastoral counselor must be flexible and develop a sensitivity to

the “third ear” ― listening to the Holy Spirit in order to tailor counseling to each

individual.” (Hawkins 2007, slide 9).

3. SBBPC is more than just seeking out the problematic and damaged part of our psyche

and repairing it, we need to have soul care at its core where the person comes away

feeling better than problem-free, (Rice 2007).

The Guiding Assumptions

The integration of the material from Solution-focused pastoral counseling, (Kollar 1997),

helps establish assumptions that are Biblically based and experientially sound. Adapting the

guiding assumptions to my project, I assume:

1. God has been and is working in the life of the counselee. An omnipotent, omniscient

God has the ability to see beyond any present circumstance and uses past, present and

future circumstances to bring people to a place of faith, hope and love in all their lives

and relationships, (Bridges 1988).

2. Brief Therapy does not mean quick fix; rather it brings immediate solutions to bear on

most problems. The word brief is an adjective related to time elements, but it can also

mean simple, simple solutions, simple conversation, and simple relief from the

immediate emotions and anxieties in the heart of the counselee.

3. The SBBPC setting is dynamic. It changes and grows as brief, simple solutions

surface and are implemented, new challenges can appear, both positive and negative.

In any case, a continual pattern of using SBBPC is a catalyst for growth and change.

4. In SBBPC, though the counselee can create the problem they are not the immediate

problem. In our setting, we focus on the solution to the immediate problem not the

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 overarching patterns of behavior and personality of the counselee that might have

caused the challenge they are presently facing.

5. The counseling roles are pivotal in bringing real solutions to the counselee’s

problems. A quick fix answer to any situation by the counselor precludes the ability

and initialization of the counselee to find out the solution. The counselor is the

conductor in the symphony of the counseling setting but does not play the necessary

instruments to produce the music.

6. The counselor helps the counselee bring out the solution that is already present in the

care-seeker. As illustrated in assumption five, the counselor needs to help the

counselee discover that which they already know. The answer to their present

problem is already known to them through experience and in understanding the truth

in assumption one.

The Process Overview

In many counseling settings, a preliminary understanding needs to have an agreement or

covenant of intent. Though small problems and counseling settings may not need this type of

explicit agreement, an implicit agreed understanding of roles; context and setting of the

discussions taking place must have their place. In an explicit counseling setting, a pre-session

package given to a prospective care-seeker is a good introduction in setting the stages for the

SBBPC phases in the counseling scenario.

The pre-session package can contain but is not limited to some of the following

understandings:

1. Information concerning the counseling style and process used by the counselor and

counseling center.

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 2. The religious, faith, and/or doctrinal beliefs of the counselor and the counseling

center.

3. The ethical standards of the counselor and counseling center as well as the ethical

rights of those seeking counseling.

4. Informational Intake forms giving relevant information to the counselor and

counseling center.

5. An informed consent and confidentiality agreement.

6. Process and information concerning referrals of the care-seeker.

7. Where appropriate and a part of the structure of the counseling setting, financial costs

and disclosures.

The pre-session package does not ensure successful outcomes in the counseling session

but makes both the counselor and counselee accountable for the information the pre-session

package contains and gives clear boundaries and guidelines to ensure a proper counseling setting

ethic. This will help in the development of trust and confidence of the counselee towards the

counselor.

An example of a pre-session package is located in Appendix A.

I have an extensive library of which I have a very good handle on titles, subjects, and

authors. Even though I have this ability to know most of my library intimately, I have learned

that organizing my library and having a brief written personal annotation in them is helpful in my

being able to glean fast information from them and offer suggested reading material to others I

counsel. For my final project, I have included the annotated topics of anger, grief, forgiveness,

death, and guilt/fear located in Appendix B.

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 The counseling setting would not be complete without an honest look at my own

experiences of learning these past eight weeks. Appendix C contains my weekly thoughts and

transformation over these intensified study times. The unique role of the counselor is not one of

an expert, but one who tries to incarnate himself into the life being of the counselee. My journal

will reflect what I have learned about counseling and what I have learned about myself in this

journey.

PART 2: The Counselor’s Style

The role and personality of the counselor is crucial in helping the care-seeker find the

solutions to the problems they have in their lives. To do this the counselor himself must be a

student of himself to see how others perceive him and how his personality reacts, interacts and

relates to other personality types.

In our journey through PACO 500 we took participated in personality profiles and

spiritual gifts analysis to identify as closely as possible the personality, temperament types, and

spiritual gifts we might have and how that can affect the counselees who come not just with their

specific problems but also with their specific personality and temperament traits.

In the Uniquely You temperament analysis, I have a similar strength in each of the two

graphs “This is expected of me!” Graph One, and in the “This is me!” Graph Two. The

difference in the two graphs is that I am a High “S” in Graph 1 with no other dominant traits and

in Graph 2, I have two other dominant types making me a “C/I/S”.

Graph 1 indicates that I perceive others to have the expectation of me to be the nicest and

kindest individual possible. Sensitivity, love, sacrificial service go hand in hand with this

perceived personality trait. These meld well with the understanding of my spiritual gift set of

encouraging/exhorting, mercy, and teaching.

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 Graph 2 shows a propensity towards good people skills. I can be at ease in large crowds

or with individuals. I can be outgoing and reserved. I can be both passive and aggressive. I know

that our greatest strengths can turn into our greatest weaknesses because with this gift set I can

become someone who is negative, critical and demanding. I can place high, unrealistic

expectations on others and myself. Because of this, I can be indecisive afraid to commit for fear

of being misunderstood or turning people off with too demanding of ideas, thoughts and

opinions. This also leads into a quagmire when overuse or misuse of my spiritual gifts creates a

talkative, too sensitive, and too academic, deep me.

All six 360 degree interviews came back very positive, hinting at some of the same

weakness conclusions collectively with five of the six seeing me as an:

Otter (Sanguine/Influence)

Strengths– Outgoing, responsive, warm, friendly, talkative, enthusiastic, compassionate

Weaknesses– Undisciplined, unproductive, exaggerates, egocentric, unstable

One out of the five sees me as a:

Lion (Choleric/Dominance)

Strengths– Visionary, practical, productive, strong-willed, independent, decisive, leader

Weaknesses– Cold, domineering, unemotional self-sufficient, unforgiving, sarcastic, cruel

All of these comments and several other tests I have taken almost annually for self

assessment show me to be a very gifted man with the propensity to overuse the gifts and skills

causing the strengths to be overlooked by the overuse of the strengths.

Bruce Murakami comes across as a D/C/I from the reading of the case study and

watching the movie, Crossroads: A Story of Forgiveness, (Harrison 2007). This means that He is

a driving, cautious, influencer. They can be demanding, competent and impressive with a

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tendency toward task orientation. They need to increase their sensitivity and softness. They do

not mind change and can be compliant and cautious. They like to do things correctly while

driving and influencing others to follow. (Uniquely yours, 38).

As Bruce’s counselor, I need to recognize the strengths and weaknesses in joining,

(Benner 2003), or as Kollar, (1997), puts it “demonstrating fit” (112). This is key in making our

time together the most productive it can be. It will also help Bruce find the solutions he needs to

move toward an overflowing hope in his life.

As a counselor with people skills, an ability to be at ease with individuals, and wanting to

serve and help them as both an expected “S” and a real “C/I/S” with encouraging/exhorting,

mercy, and teaching spiritual gift set I must recognize that interacting with Bruce a “D/C/I” I

must:

1. Be intentional and careful. I cannot be spontaneous with Bruce but be prayerful and

thoughtful before responding to his situation and conversation.

2. Listen and show an attentive listening position. This will demonstrate fit with Bruce

and he will not feel threatened or unheard. Strategically placing the Talker/Listener

Card (Petersen 2007), to help me focus on our roles in the conversational will be

helpful.

3. Consciously give supportive feedback, (Kollar 2007), and at the same time look for

clue to move forward in our conversation, without interrupting the flow of Bruce’s

story.

4. Resist the pressure of wanting to answer Bruce’s every question, even if I think I

know the answer, the solution must come from him and I must guide with supporting

words and gestures without teaching him what I think I already know.

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 The Counseling Sessions

Phase One — P1

Bruce Murakami has suffered a devastating loss. As I try to help him using the SBBPC

process, I must remember that it will be impossible to address all the immediate concerns,

problems and challenges he is facing. My goal in P1 will be to discover what the predominant

problem is and let the final phase, Phase Four — P4 be the opportunity to draw him into a

community of people who can address the ongoing issues he may continually face in his life.

Bruce is not a member of our church but has heard that as a pastor, I have been helpful

and empathetic to people in need. He is coming for information on the food pantry. He wants to

help saying that maybe if he is busy serving the Lord he can forget about his problems.

He is visibly struggling as he tries to talk to me. On the grieving scale Bruce is

somewhere between the denial and anger stages, (Kanel 2007). This is observable from his

response when I ask him how he is doing. His response was that he did not know and it was hard

to tell, sometimes he came home expecting to see his wife and daughter and then he would catch

himself, feeling sad, even guilty.

He apologized for dumping on me and seemed to want to end the conversation, but I

asked if I might ask a question. His response was yes. I asked him whom he felt close enough to

dump on, who was it he could talk to when things get hard to understand. He said God. He prays

and talks to God about the stuff he is feeling. When I asked what God says, he laughed and said

that he felt God was more of a listener these days and he is having a hard time figuring anything

else out right now. He seemed uncomfortable and vulnerable with his comment to me and got

quiet.

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 I then told him that our complete conversation was between himself, God and me. I

mentioned how many things come my way even casually and that if I was the only person told,

then no one else would hear or know about it because I am committed to making sure that the

issues people have and feel trusting enough to share with me, they are confidential.

He asked what I was writing; I showed him some words I had written down. When he

asked me what they meant I told him there are times when someone comes and until I can

understand why the person is coming to talk to me, I write down key words the person is saying

to make sure I am listening well and fully understand what the person is saying. I will shred them

as soon as our conversation ends with no written record of our conversation. I turned placed the

piece of paper in the shredder and we sat and listened to the grinding sound of the paper being

torn into small tiny strips. He mentioned how we needed one of those for our problems.

There was a casual conversation concerning how hard it must be to listen to people’s

problems. It ended with me telling him that my soul purpose for living, my calling in life was

found in two passages of the Bible. Romans 15:13 – May the God of hope fill you with all joy,

as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. And I

Peter 5:2 where God lays out the responsibility I have to not just work for people but to love and

care for them, helping them through life. I went on to tell him that the overarching goal in my

life was to help awaken hope in myself and in each person God brings my way.

Our first meeting set the stage for coffee for us at the local café. I feel he is moving from

a casual visitor or the attending position to a willing position in the counseling setting. After he

left I prayed for our time together and for wisdom for this journey we were on together.

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 Phase Two — P2

Our coffee time together went well. I was prepared to help guide Bruce into a willing

position. I had some written material, what some might call a pre-session package that included

my personal information and background. Ethical things that I had prepared if he asked, my

thoughts on counseling using the SBBPC model I had gained understanding while studying for

my graduate degree in chaplaincy, and a book I found useful for those who have suffered loss,

The Reluctant Traveler: A Pilgrimage Through Loss and Recovery, (Marr 2002). After our initial

discussion Phase One “lite”, and listening to Bruce, praying it through and discussing

anonymously the session with a couple of peer mentors, we agreed that it sounded like Bruce

needed to get into a functional state in his life by moving him along the Five Stages of Death and

Dying, (Kanel 2007:136). My goal will be to try to move Bruce through these stages using

SBBPC. Even after coffee, I felt he was in Phase One until I received a phone call from him a

few days later asking me if I could come to his house to talk. I told him I could and would, I

asked if there was anything in particular he wanted to discuss? He said he wanted to talk about

the five stages of grief he read in the book that I gave him. We met the next day.

Bruce has a lovely home. I noticed his enthusiasm was waning from the phone call the

day before. I decided to try to ask a scaling question. I asked him how he was feeling. His

response was he felt normal, lousy, and not too happy. I asked him on a scale of one to five with

one being earth shattering and five as if he won the World Series, he said a negative five. I made

a mental note to increase the scale one to ten. I felt we had entered P2.

Pastor Mike, (PM): Is there was anything in particular that is making you feel this way?

Bruce Murakami, (BM): Brody is angry with me all the time. He is making demands on me that I

cannot possibly handle right now. And do not get me started on my son Josh. He comes home for

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a while and we sort of bonded you know, it seemed we were on the same page about everything

and then without telling me or talking to me about it he goes back to college. It was as if he could

just pick up the pieces like nothing had happened and get on with his life.

PM: Where do you think Josh is at on the five stages of grief?

BM: He acts as if he is the accepting stage but how could he? It is too soon.

PM: (I sat for a moment and let him think about his comment. I was starting to feel whether he

was taking a step backwards in our counseling sessions). Tell me about Josh and some of the

things you and he did together. (He sat there a minute or two and then a smile came across his

face. He then went on in glowing terms about how smart he was, how he was the rock, like his

mom. He cared for people. He was tough and you could count on him.) So when he left without

saying good-bye what was your first thought? (I wrote down the words, lost Jodi, Chelsea,

Brody, and now Josh.)

BM: (He looked away and wiped his eyes and said), I feel like I am losing my family one piece

at a time.

PM: What did you and Josh do to keep that feeling of closeness even while he was away at

college?

BM: Well he goes to the same college I did, that is where I met my wife. He would tell me about

the classes he was taking. He had some of the same professors I did. I guess it was all about the

similarities we had in common.

PM: What has changed? (He sat there silent, looking for the answer on the floor. I waited for a

few minutes while he sat in silence, very sad, looking like he knew the answer but could not

believe the answer).

PM: What did you major in?

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BM: I’m sorry, excuse me?

PM: I asked what your major was in college.

BM: Architecture, I took drafting, engineering courses, same as Josh.

PM: Does Josh want to be a builder?

BM: I don’t know. He did, I am not sure what he wants right now. I do not know what I want

right now.

PM: Good answer.

BM: What?

PM: That you do not know what you want right now, except I think you do but not sure which

one, the one thing you really want to do right now. I am sure there are several options in your

head.

BM: You know what I want right now. I do not want to feel sad. How do I stop feeling sad?

PM: Can you think back to one or several mornings where you woke up, ready to go to work,

ready to face challenges and at the end of the day you felt satisfied?

BM: Yeah I can think about a lot of those days.

PM: Then between now and when I see you again, I want you to think what it was that made you

feel that way and see what you can do to feel that way again. And while you are at it, maybe a

phone call to check up and Josh, how he is, how he is doing in classes might help you with that

relationship, after all, you’re the Dad.

We agreed to meet the following week at my office with those two tasks in mind.

Phase Three — P3

From the first casual meeting with Bruce to bringing him to an attending position in our

counseling time, he has shown diverse feelings on the grief scale. It is obvious that a tragedy of

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this nature can cause enough emotional stress and confusion so that the care seeker can linger in

one, two, even three separate stages simultaneously for long periods with final acceptance

merely being a symptom of an ongoing stage without reliving the previous three stages too

severely.

Bruce has opened up about how paralyzed he has felt but feels as though he has come to a

point of acceptance in the journey. He said he realized that it was not that he did not hurt

anymore or that he just moved on as if nothing happened but as Marr, (2002), “resiliency…the

ability to recover quickly from illness, change or misfortune” (23).

He was able to concentrate on projects that challenged him and how fulfilled he felt in

getting them accomplished. He called Josh, said that Josh thought he was mad at him, and did

not want to bother him anymore. They then talked for over an hour about school and about losing

Josh’s Mom and stepsister. They both cried and agreed to keep up the calls.

Then Bruce told me he wanted to do one more thing to make him feel like he can

continue to face the issues of the accident and loss of Cindy and Chelsea. When I asked him

what it is he wanted to do, he said had an overwhelming desire to confront the young man who

caused the death of his wife and child. When broached on the reasoning for it, his response was

that he could not bring relief to the gnawing pain of why, without at least confronting the young

man and having him look Bruce in the eye. Were revenge, vengeance or justice, what he was

looking for? He was not sure. He just knew he had to do it. How would he respond to a stubborn,

non-remorseful soul looking back at him? Again, not sure, in fact Bruce said it was not about

him, it was is something he had to do. Here is an excerpt of the conversation that followed:

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Pastor Mike, (PM): I think it is commendable but wonder if there needs to be a better reason than

you feel like you must do this. Do you know people will ask you why and may not even give

permission unless you have a more specific goal and or reason in mind?

Bruce Murakami, (BM): Do you think I want to do the right thing?

PM: From the very start Bruce, you have wanted to do the right thing and more. I have seen you

want to bring real meaning, hope and purpose to what you have gone through and how you want

to move forward in spite of the tragedy.

BM: If I say that I want to be able to let Justin Gutierrez look me in the eye and give him a

chance to explain how he feels about this, would that be enough?

PM: Whatever your reason it is possible that you can use this in bringing closure to another stage

in the whole process you have been going through. Nevertheless, what is it you are looking for?

BM: I am not sure. As I said before, when I saw this kid, looking like one of my own, well I

cannot believe that he is okay with this, that he is hurting as well. I just want to talk with him

face-to-face, man-to-man and hear what he has to say.

PM: How can I help?

BM: I just need to know that I am doing the right thing.

PM: I cannot say it is the right thing but I can tell you this. Knowing you and what you have

been through and how far we have come, I know you feel this is right and cannot think of a

single reason for you not to act on this desire. You will find it difficult, but I am here for you and

the men we have been meeting with in our small group, they will be there for you too.

BM: Do you have any suggestions on how to proceed?

PM: Be prepared for his lawyer and family to say no. You must prepare yourself that not

everyone has as noble an ideal as you in this. That you want to continue to work through this

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issue, you are committed to healing and hope and that you have the spiritual strength and

fortitude to do it!

BM: What happens if he just sits there?

PM: That is why it might be wise to have goal in mind for wanting this. To go with no goal may

set you up for great disappointment and unmet expectations can bring back some of the anger.

BM: I believe the reason is that I want him to see me without great anger and rage; rather that he

will see the hurt he has caused which might bring some accountability and even sorrow. He

looks sorrowful in the court proceedings; I think this could help both him and me.

PM: What is the hope you are looking for if you do this and you act on it?

BM: I want to stop hating this person, stop the anger, and come to acceptance of what happened

and try to move forward in my life.

PM: What can I do to help you see this hope fulfilled?

BM: I guess I need to know that no matter what you and the men in our group are still there even

if this thing blows up in my face. I also want to know if you feel it is stupid or silly to do this.

PM: You have our support unconditionally as always and we will pray. I cannot say this will not

blow up in your face but your positive, loving, forgiving attitude might be the break-through

needed by many people involved in this situation and can continue the ongoing healing and hope

in everyone’s life.

We prayed for wisdom. We prayed that God would allow this action to take place and if

it did not that Bruce would be willing to continue the hope and healing process with our small

group. After prayer, we just looked at each other and he said, I never thought I would be feeling

what I am feeling right now. When asked what he was feeling, he responded that he was feeling

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peace and relief. I said God the author of peace and comfort was bringing these feelings. When I

asked him if he knew why God was doing this, he answered because God loved him very much.

Phase Four — P4
By now Bruce had plugged back into his men’s group at his church. When they asked

how he was doing, he told them he takes it one day at a time. He said he has learned to realize

that the pain will always be there like a person with a limp, but he is still walking and growing. I

was asked to speak at their men’s group and Bruce was the one who introduced me. The topic

‘How to rebuild your broken world’. Afterwards Bruce and I met in the church’s sanctuary to

talk.

BM: Thanks for coming. My men’s group asked how I was doing and when I told him I was

talking to you about things, they were curious about you and what we talked about. I guess they

are surprised on how I am feeling, going to the school assemblies with the kid that caused the

accident and all.

PM: What do you tell them.

BM: Truthfully? I tell them that I seem to do all the talking and you ask a lot of questions, then

you give me homework. (He laughed).

PM: So going for counseling and therapy is not as bad as the dentist is it?

BM: Actually, I feel like I am counseling others now. I feel like I want to see you but just to talk,

not for help. I want to help you with the food pantry too. And the guys? It seems they are a

support to me and as long as I have that kind of support I feel like I can be myself, sad if I feel

sad, happy without feeling guilty. I miss them a lot but my relationship with Justin, well Brody

and I had to work that out. Brody felt like did about Josh. But now that Josh, Brody and I meet

together at least once a month we can talk, share with each other and just hang out. All around it

seems like I have all these new friends, when in reality they are not new at all. (I excused myself

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for a moment to use the bathroom, as I came back I called my buddy that had been helping me

work with Bruce. I told him all that had happened. I jokingly said, he doesn’t need me anymore.

Steve asked if I was joking or if there was any truth to that statement and did I feel sad about it?)

PM: I guess I do feel like, wait a minute, he isn’t finished, he still has so many more issues he

hasn’t even scratched the surface yet.

STEVE, (S): So what is the solution to that?

PM: Okay so you are going the “Solution” word at me are you?

S: Yes because when you talked to me and asked me to walk with you as you walked with Bruce

you said, “Do not let me go beyond the solution to Bruce’s immediate problem” It sort of

sounded like a command.

PM: I think I have a lot more to learn about this solution blessed brief thing…Solution oriented

and brief driven.

S: Hey we will never get to the bottom of the depth of our problems, none of us will but right

now you have done your job and remain available, now it is up to Bruce and his support group to

help him continue this journey.

PM: Thanks Steve, talk to you later…maybe. (We both laughed and hung up).

Bruce and I just looked at each other. He asked if we can still get together occasionally,

and I said sure. We also agreed to try and get our two groups of men together for some type of

outing. When we said good-bye I felt excited to have been a part of something that well God

directed.

PART 4: The Counseling Conclusions

As I consider SBBPC as a counseling model to follow, I know I have a lot more to learn.

I am sure that certain nuances and steps in each phase will always continue to boggle me and

20
keep me thinking of whether I am in P1 or P2. Is P4 necessary? Are there more phases if things

get muddled, a P5, P6, or even P10? When do too many phases make it Solution Blessed

Lengthy Pastoral Counseling?

I know one thing. I know that first and foremost we must be conscious of making it about

the counselee not the counselor. I must always make a conscious effort in listening well and

helping the care seeker find the answers to the things he needs. I am the spiritual director, the

caregiver, not the expert.

I also need to make sure to focus on the immediate needs of the care seeker. If I try to fix

the person without recognizing the true problem they are facing, well I am in for a very lengthy

counseling time because we need a lifetime and eternity to fix the root of all our problem, sin.

Walking through life in a world infected by sin and our propensity to sin, well, if counseling is

all I want to do I will never be out of business.

I am in the discipling business. As a pastor one of my overarching goals is to shepherd,

care for the flock of God given to me. In that care I do not concern myself with every little detail,

but mostly to the immediate problems and needs of the sheep. I was read this so long ago in

Stanford Medical Center in the chaplains’ training room hangs a sign it says: “The secret of the

care of the patient, is the care of the patient”

It would be irresponsible of me to go and try to cure someone’s cancer, or pneumonia. It

would be ridiculous for me to go into the maternity ward and deliver babies. I would kill people

if I dared to try and dispense pharmaceuticals to ill people. What I do as a pastor counselor is

care for them. This is my calling and this is my life and SBBPC is a tool that will be invaluable

to me in my efforts.

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 APPENDIX A

Pre-Session Package

My Life Goals as a Counselor:

Romans 15:13 — “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and as you trust in him, so
that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (NLT).

I Peter 5:2 — “I urge you to see that your ‘flock of God’ is properly fed and cared for.
Accept the responsibility of looking after them willingly and not because you feel you can’t get
out of it, doing your work not for what you can make, but because you are really concerned for
their well-being” (Phillips).

My goal is care about what others care about in my pastoral role. I want to help awaken
hope in each person who comes for counseling. It is a collaborative effort with the participants
being, myself, God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and concerned friends and church
companions. Together with the counselee this will ensure that those in need find solutions to
their problems and find the needed resources to be more than problem solvers, but over comers,
overflowing with joy and peace in their lives.

Code of Ethics, (Adapted from Biblical-Ethical Foundations of the American Association of

Christian Counselors Ethics Code 2004):

1st FOUNDATION:    Jesus Christ—and His revelation in the Old and New Testaments of the
Bible—is the pre-eminent model for Christian counseling practice, ethics,
and care giving activities.

2nd FOUNDATION: Christian counseling maintains a committed, intimate, and dedicated

relationship with the worldwide church, and individual counselors with a
local body of believers.

3rd FOUNDATION: Christian counseling, at its best, is a Spirit-led process of change and
growth, geared to help others mature in Christ by the skillful synthesis of
counselor-assisted spiritual, psycho-social, familial, bio-medical, and
environmental interventions.

4th FOUNDATION:    Christian counselors are dedicated to Jesus Christ as their ‘first love,’ to
excellence in client service, to ethical integrity in practice, and to respect
for everyone encountered.
5th FOUNDATION:    Christian counselors accord the highest respect to the Biblical revelation
regarding the defense of human life, the dignity of human personhood,
and the sanctity of marriage and family life.

6th FOUNDATION:    The biblical and constitutional rights to Religious Freedom, Free Speech,
and Free Association protects Christian counselor public identity, and the

22
 explicit incorporation of spiritual practices into all forms of counseling
and intervention.

7th FOUNDATION:    Christian counselors are mindful of their representation of Christ and his
church and are dedicated to honor their commitments and obligations in
all social and professional relations.

Personal Statements of Faith and Belief of the Counselor, (Annotated versions are
available upon request):

I believe:

 in the verbal, plenary (word for word) inspiration and divine authority of the Bible.
 in one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
 in the Lord Jesus Christ as true God and true man; His virgin birth, perfect humanity, vicarious
death, bodily resurrection, present advocacy; and His personal, imminent, bodily, visible return
for His Church.
 in the fall of man resulting in his complete and universal separation from God, and his need of
salvation.
 that the Lord Jesus Christ died and shed His blood as a sacrifice for sin.
 that salvation is a free and everlasting gift of God, entirely apart from works; and that every
person is responsible to receive salvation by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
 that the Holy Spirit regenerates with divine life and personally indwells the believer upon his
faith in Christ for salvation.
 in the bodily resurrection of both the saved and the unsaved.
 in the responsibility of each believer motivated by the love of Christ and empowered by the Holy
Spirit to witness and make disciples for Christ in all the world

Personal Core Values of the Counselor for Life and Ministry, (Annotated version available
upon request):

1. The Word of God as Our Final Authority

2. Dependence on God Evidenced by Prayer and Living by Faith
3. Willingness to Sacrifice for Christ
4. A Spirit-Controlled Life
5. Godly Relationships and Interdependence in Ministry
6. A Sense of Urgency in Ministry
7. The Certainty that God Desires to Use Any Life
8. Excellence in Ministry
Frequently Asked Questions:

What Kind of Counseling Will the Clients Encounter?

Solution Based Brief Pastoral Counseling:

Solution Based – The counselee comes with problems and is not

the problem. Though there may be behavioral changes needed, it is
ultimately a realistic solution we work towards that is our
objective.

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 Brief – A short termed approach to counseling is ideally suited to
the time available, training and role demands of the pastor.
Referral after the fact will be a goal referring the client to well
trained mature members of the church and church leadership or if
necessary, professional counselors to ensure the solution goals and
spiritual growth of the counselee.

Pastoral – called to serve, pastors are called and equipped to offer

help and hope to their congregants and all those who come for
care.

Counseling – My definition of this is where conversation and

discussions center on spiritual growth. That the proactive outcomes
of the counseling conversations are purposeful with good realistic
expectations set by the counselee in the counseling setting.

Who Counsels?
Counselors are pastors and other qualified individuals trained in biblical counseling.

What Does It Cost?

The counseling is free. We provide the facilities, and the counselors volunteer their time and
services. Our church family views this as an outreach to our community and the surrounding
area.

When Will I Be Counseled?

The initial visit with the pastor may be an occasion for a pre-session conversation with follow up
visits made by appointment. After the pre-session visit, an intake package will be provided with
Counselor’s credentials, qualifications, ethical guidelines and expectations will be given to the
counselee as well as an intake form to be submitted before the first formal session.

How Long Will Counseling Last?

Normally counseling sessions last one to one and a half hours each week for approximately 4 – 5
weeks. The number of sessions may be shortened or lengthened depending on the progress that is
made.

Will My Sessions Be Confidential?

Everything is strictly confidential except where, in the counselor's judgment, there is a biblical
requirement to involve others, where the counselee makes suggestions of harm and is a potential
threat to themselves and/or others and where there is a strong sense that the counselee may
involve themselves in some type of criminal activity. If any of these occurrences take place, the
counselor will probe deeper into the comments made and inform the counselee of his concern for
their comments and possible outcomes.

Notes and Counselee Files

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General notes and observations will be in written form. None of these will be seen by anyone
without consultation with the counselee. At the end of the session a copy of the notes are made
available to the counselee without charge.

Homework
The counselee will be encouraged to develop tasks that can be accomplished between sessions.
They will focus on future desires, realistic in expectations and outcomes. Work must be done
between counseling sessions to ensure lasting change. Therefore, weekly assignments must be
faithfully completed in order to continue counseling.

Outside Referrals
When it becomes evident that the problems and challenges facing the counselee need more in
depth attention and therapy, appropriate referrals will be made in conjunction with the counselor
and counselee.

Counseling Information and Intake Form

(Adapted From: FORT BEND CHRISTIAN COUNSELING CENTER, LLC, 1011 Hwy. 6 South,
Suite 314, Houston, TX 77077)

This information is to help us better understand you and your situation. Please fill it out as
completely as you can. All information will be held in strict confidence, and released only with your
consent. Exceptions to this will be discussed with you by your counselor.

DATE___________________________________

NAME: _________________________________________________________________________
First Middle Last Birthdate

ADDRESS: _______________________________________________________________________
City State Zip Home Phone Cell Phone

OCCUPATION: ___________________________________________________________________
Place of Business Work Phone E-Mail address

WHO REFERRED YOU US? ________________________________________________________

EDUCATION: ___________________________________________________________________
High School Year Graduated College Year Graduated

Major___________________________ Professional Education _________________________

PARENTS:
Father's Occupation: ________________________ Living_______________ (if deceased, give date)

Mother's Occupation: _______________________ Living_______________ (if deceased, give date)

Were your parents separated or divorced?________

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If so, indicate your age when the separation occurred. ______________________________

Brothers and Sisters (list from oldest to youngest, including you). Underline half-brothers
and/or half-sisters _______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Married: (Yes) (No) if so, Spouse's Name: ________________________ Date of Marriage: ______

Children: _________________________________________________________________________
(Children’s Names, Ages, & Sex)
_________________________________________________________________________________
(Children’s Names, Ages, & Sex)

How long have you lived at your present address? ______________________________________

PREVIOUSLY MARRIED? (YES) (NO)

If so, List dates of marriages, dates terminated, how terminated, and ages and sex of any children
from those marriages _____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, WHOM CAN WE CONTACT?

______________________________________________________________________________
Name Relationship Phone

RELIGION:
Church Affiliation: ____________________________ Pastor ____________________________

Do you find religion: satisfying ____ challenging ____ dull ____ meaningless____ irrelevant ______

HEALTH: General condition of your health:_____________________________________________

Physical disabilities related to your problem? Yes ___ No ____ If yes, indicate their nature:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

PRESENT MEDICATION:
___________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

PREVIOUS COUNSELING OR PSYCHOTHERAPY:

From whom: ______________________________________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________________________________________
Approximate dates: _________________________________________________________________

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PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES:
I coming for help because

My Life is

My Family is

My Marriage is

Fun for me is
Growing up in my family was

If I could change one thing in my life

Six months from now, I want

People generally describe me as

PERMISSION FOR PROFESSIONAL INFORMATION

I hereby grant permission for you (my therapist) to share information concerning me with other
professionals in order that you may be of greater help to me.

Signed: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________

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 Appendix B

Five Topical Areas of Need with Annotated References:

Anger
Taylor, Glenn, and Rod Wilson. 1997. Helping angry people: A short-term structured model.
Grand Rapids: Baker Books 
Glenn Taylor, director of counseling and extension at the Missionary Health Institute,
Toronto, Ontario; mentored me on my re-entry back into the United States after ten years
of overseas missionary service. He and co-author Rod Wilson created this resource as a
part of the Strategic Pastoral Counseling Resources, which offers a short term counseling
model of hope for those struggling with issues of anger. 

Warren, Neil Clark. 1990. Make anger our ally. 2nd ed. Colorado Springs: Focus on the Family
Publishers 
This book presents some new ideas on anger. Make Anger Our Ally gives a clear
understanding of anger, anger expression, and its outcomes. It offers strategies and
suggestions for those who find their anger aggression debilitating and out of control and
gives positive reinforcement in employing good controlled anger expression.

 Paddy, Michael. 2009. dAnger zone: Understanding the emotion of anger. 9th ed. Unpublished.
Having experienced destructive anger through his youth and young adult life, Paddy’s
journey through unrealistic expectations and the accompanying stress and anger that came
with it, took his personal journal and created a Microsoft Power Point Presentation in six
parts, which he has used to teach others concerning this issue. It is approved for use in
required Anger Management Classes in five counties across the United States.

Death 
Marr, Diane Dempsey. 2002. The reluctant traveler: A pilgrimage through loss and recovery.
Colorado Springs: NavPres Publications.  
Nothing touches me more mentally and emotionally then the temporal nature of the soul.
Dr. Marr’s book, (2002), gives readers clarity in helping themselves and others through
the process of loss. It helps the reader through questions and processes to accept loss and
move forward through the grieving stages accompanying loss.

Johnson, Paul and Larry Richards. 1982. Death and the caring community. Portland: Multnomah
Publishers.  
Helping people cope with death and face their own death is a great opportunity for church
ministry. This book is helpful and informational for any who wish to minister to those in
need concerning death and dying. 

Forgiveness
McMinn, Mark R. 1996. Psychology, theology, and spirituality in Christian counseling.
Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers.  
Dr. McMinn has written a book that bridges the challenge I have in bringing
Psychotherapy into my theological mindset in counseling. It asks good questions and
gives strong practical advice to counselors who need to have an understanding of

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 psychology and Theology in their counseling efforts. It is a resource to help me develop
as a better counselor in several topical areas of need.

Stanley, Charles. 1987. Forgiveness. Nashville: Oliver Nelson Books 

A Biblically based book Forgiveness addresses such questions as how to practice a life of
forgiveness in terms of one’s relationships and with themselves. It helps the reader in
trying to make forgiveness an on-going, practical experience in one’s life 

Grief
Lewis, C.S. 1957 A grief observed. NY: Harper Collins. 
A classic book told by someone who experiencing the death of his wife, writes down
almost like a journal, his grief experience.

Baker, Don. 1983. Pain’s hidden purpose. Portland: Multnomah Press

A simple exploration of suffering and emotions of the Biblical character Job. Empathetic
in nature it personalizes the journey with good questions, some left unanswered, to let the
reader explore their own suffering in the reading.

Bayly, Joseph. 1973. A view from a hearse. Elgin, IL: D.C. Cook Publishers 
Losing three children in a short four-year time span, Joseph Bayly talks candidly about
death, grief and how it affected him and people around him. It is especially insightful
concerning how others treat the bereaved. It provides insight for those who want to try to
help people in the grieving process.

Guilt/Fear 
Seamands, David A. 1988. Healing grace. Wheaton: Victor Books 
The book shows how many Christians are in a performance trap when what they really
need is healing grace. Seamands says that grace can be the answer to those who are
facing guilt, fear, and the need for forgiveness. 

Reed, Bobbie. ed. 1998. Baker Handbook of Single Parent Ministry. Grand Rapids: Baker
Books 
Helpful book that gives topical help to those who find themselves in single parent
situations. It includes sections on those who are suddenly thrust into single parenthood
through tragic and crisis circumstances.

APPENDIX C

My Relational Style Action Plan

1) My overarching goal for life is: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and
peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy
Spirit” (Romans 15:13 NIV). I have always tried to bring an optimistic point of view to
others. Through this class I have learned that this is not only good and fits SBBFC, but
integrating a positive psychology mindset can bring healing, hope, and solutions ‘plus’ to
others, even overflowing.

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 2) My three highest spiritual gift tendencies are: Encouraging/Exhorting, Mercy, and
Teaching. This means I tend to be more encouraging, caring and in-depth

3) The overuse of these gifts sometimes makes me talkative, insensitive, and deep
for simple fellowship with others.

4) My highest personality profile plotting point in Graph 1: ‘S’ Graph 2:’C’. This
means I tend to be less cautious and calculating publicly, but more careful and critical
thinking privately.

5) The overuse of this type sometimes makes me someone who is negative, critical
and demanding. I can place high, unrealistic expectations on others and myself. Because of
this, I can be indecisive afraid to commit for fear of being misunderstood or turning people
off with too demanding of ideas, thoughts and opinions. This also leads into a quagmire
when overuse or misuse of my spiritual gifts creates a talkative, too sensitive, and too
academic, deep me.

6) My most obvious combination personality and spiritual gift type (relational style)
is: “S” with the gift of Encouraging. This makes me a sweet encourager with the ability to
show slow, simple steps of action to help others. Combined with mercy and you get someone
who specializes in times of crisis and suffering. This mix also likes to stabilize bad situations
with disarming passivity.

7) To communicate and relate with others more effectively I should use my words
wisely. I should not allow myself to be pulled into every crisis at the detriment of my other
responsibilities.

8) My greatest blessing and/ or struggle concerning my giftedness is how

complimentary the three are in my life and ministry. Encouragement, with mercy allows me
to teach well not too deep and avoid getting lost in the statistics.

9) I should guard or improve my following spiritual gift tendencies by listening well,

helping when needed without too much attention, and think in simple terms when teaching or
sharing any truth in any setting.

10) I should guard or improve my following personality tendencies by listening well

and staying engaged in the role of the listener in a conversation. Resist the temptation of
telling everyone everything that I know about any subject allowing the solutions to flow from
the person with me being the spiritual director, conductor. I should not get too hyper or
vigilant but allow the Holy Spirit to open doors for spiritual gift led ministry.

11) I will check/control my relational style, in order to demonstrate fit with a D

relational style, through the following strategy: Provide clear goals and directions in tasks
and expectations. Avoid verbose lengthy questions and answers; give them room to show
their gifts. Give them options, choices, not ultimatums or narrow-minded tasks.

30
 12) I will check/control my relational style, in order to demonstrate fit with an I
relational style, through the following strategy: Letting them talk till they feel they are
through or have adequately expressed themselves. They need to believe that I am a wiling
listener to all they have to say and express accolade for their progress and efforts.

13) I will check/control my relational style, in order to demonstrate fit with a S

relational style, through the following strategy: Giving them room to feel secure and safe.
Making sure the counseling setting is relaxed and friendly. Be consistent with my words and
actions making them trust me.

14) I will check/control my relational style, in order to demonstrate fit with a C

relational style, through the following strategy: By making sure everything is spelled out
ahead of time. I should not create surprises or make spontaneous comments or evaluations. A
secure environment where the “C” has time to evaluate and make decisions at their own pace.

15) To grow more spiritually, I will utilize the following spiritual disciplines to read
the Word of God and meditate more on its application and meaning for me at the time of my
reading. To be quiet more often spending time in contemplative prayer and listening.

16) To avoid and resolve conflicts more effectively, I will covenant with God to
engage the following protocol: Listen well, speak when necessary and use words that clarify
rather than control, offer answers or criticize.

17) My prayer in discovering my relational style and demonstrating fit through my

life and profession/ministry is to continue to grow in self-awareness, specifically the
weaknesses that accompany the positive strengths they bring. To be self-aware so I can be
others focused. .

APPENDIX D

My Journey Through PACO 500 Journal

Week 1
Reference: The church is filled with as stated by Clinton and Hawkins, (2007), “people
who desperately need to experience God’s care”

Reflection: Two thoughts come to me concerning this quote. First, the word filled comes
to the forefront. It is not always evident to the eye that there is such an amount of pain in
people’s lives. We have it all together afraid to show vulnerability. Maybe because the soul care
that is missing is replaced by ‘me first’ or taking the part of the greatest command out of context,
love others as myself, so I must really, really love myself to appreciate that value of loving
others.

Relocation: I must embrace my calling as a pastor and see my role as a soul care
provider. I also must model this in my own life for others to see, as an example for them to learn
and grow.

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 Week 2
Reference: The Hawkins’ scenario in the Power Point, The pastoral counseling scenario
Part 1: The counseling setting , (Rice 2007), says, “…the pastoral counselor must be flexible and
develop a sensitivity to the “third ear” ― listening to the Holy Spirit in order to tailor counseling
to each individual.” (slide 9).

Reflection: The third ear, what an interesting description of “living by the spirit” (Gal.
5:25 ESV). If there is a way for God the Holy Spirit to speak to us how will it sound? My
theology says that the Author of the Word of God inspired it in such a way to give us answers to
life and living, (1 Tim. 3:16, 17). Then growing this third ear is vital in the preparation of the
counselor.

Relocation: My prayer this day is to listen well both to the counselee and to the Holy
Spirit who is present in me so is also present in the counseling session. Understand that
sensitivity means to be flexible and a learner. I do not have to have all the right answers, after all
according to the Microsoft Power Point Solution Focused Approach, (2000), “the client is an
expert in their own problems” (slide 2).

Week 3
Reference: Profs_Preview_of_Week3 says: “Week 3 will build upon our foundation as
we begin to wrestle with the question: What is Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and how
does it become Solution-Blessed Brief Pastoral Counseling (SBBPC)? In other words, our task is
to filter/sift a few secular theoretical orientations (gain commentary from General Revelation)
through the lens of a responsible faith-based eclecticism (integrate through the authority of
Special Revelation), whereby, knowledge is produced and applied to the pastoral context.”
SAY WHAT?! Is that even English?

Reflection: I am not as smart as I think or thought I was. It reminds me of a statement

made by Dr. Howard Hendricks at a conference called: How to Keep the Elephant off Your Air
Hose, (1983), “If you can choose to do anything you want besides ministry, do it…but if you
cannot do anything else but ministry, then prepare yourself well.”

Relocation: I will attempt to grasp and implement the meaning of “But by the grace of
God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder
than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me” (1 Cor. 15:10 ESV).

Week 4
Reference: “Our paradigms have the power to keep us from hearing and seeing what
could happen” (Kollar 1997, 16). It tells us that sometimes we have things that we have learned
and implemented which become entrenched dogmas from which I can become paralyzed.

Reflection: Alcohol Anonymous Big Book (2001 18th ed.) calls this entrenchment,
“contempt before investigation” (256). How many times do I take a stance on an issue, a belief,
only to see sometimes years later that I was too rigid due to youthful inexperience and
immaturity? There are theological boundaries that form my theology of God. They also form my
thoughts on almost every issue of life I encounter. I must then understand how that affects both

32
my style and ability to counsel, and the effect on the counselee. It could be easy to see
counseling as an outreach of the church for evangelism and church growth rather than true soul
care.

Relocation: I need wisdom to sift through all the information and theories, styles,
languages being presented to me in this course. I am here to learn and engage in a process of
learning that includes experience and other students. Find the way to bring all I am to bear on all
I learn. I want to be open, useful, usable, and successful in helping people in need.

Week 5
Reference: My reference point this week were the postings of my new group. All seem
very competent and confident in their posting. They seem focused with a good compass of the
direction they are taking.

Reflection: Reading the past postings of my new group I feel a great sense of insecurity.
It speaks to my personality set of High S. I found myself wanting to shift to my “what is
expected of me personality.

Relocation: I did learn a lot especially from their 4th posting. I will like I did in DB3
refocus with greater understanding of what is required for this part of the course. I have a better
view with the help of my new group see that though I have much to offer and have a good gift
set for counseling, I almost feel left out that joining this late, I might have missed out. BUT, I
now am here and will “listen” to what my classmates are writing to increase my skills and
learning in being a better more proficient pastor/counselor.

Week 6
Reference: H.O.P.E. - Hopeful, Optimistic, Positive, and Expectant; supportive
feedback. The goal of supportive feedback is to provide this type of hope in our listening in our
speech in our supportive attention to the care seeker and their problem.

Reflection: As I write this there is a television show on the television of a girl who was
raped and attacked, then violently beaten with her hair sheared from her head. They pointed a
gun to her head and dropped the gun. The victim picks up the gun and randomly shoots killing
one of the girls and making the others flee. The perpetrators are still angry and wanting even
more revenge against the victim. The girl who was violated, is sad, depressed crying and scared.
The last scene before the commercial is the victim taking the gun and pointing it to her chest to
pull the trigger. She has lost all hope. How do we begin to give someone like this a renewed
hope?

Relocation: I must live with the expectant hope God gives me every day. I need to be
able to let others see this hope in a real and vibrant way. This might mean that I sacrifice my own
needs and desires to do it, but it is necessary for a servant of the Lord not to strive but to gently
persuade giving them a chance for change, (2 Tim. 2:24-26).

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 Week 7
Reference: “In order to support and secure ongoing change, other appreciative
helpers/hopers are needed. One of our guiding assumptions is that change is best supported and
secured through the body of Christ. This learning journey presents the idea that one purpose of
the local church is to further growth and development of people by fostering connection and
accountability to healing, healthy, and holy relationships/ministries” (Rice 2009: DB Forum 5c
requirements)

Reflection: The church is a collective, a group of people. Though one person is a

member of the universal church the church’s strength is in its cooperation with each other,
utilizing each other’s gifts to corporately be the body of Christ to the fullest.

Relocation: To bring successful integration into my present ministry I must develop

mature Christians who understand their spiritual gifts, responsibilities to the church body, and
how to serve the Lord without compensation, privilege or present pride driven reward. I will do
this by studying examples of churches, past and present. I will implement spiritual strategic
disciplines in the body and continue to be a spiritual director in the lives of those Christians who
desire to have a more stable and complete relationship and walk with our Savior.

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 REFERENCES

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Accessed July 15, 2009.

Benner, David G. 2003. Strategic pastoral counseling: A short-term structured model. 2nd ed.
Grand Rapids: Baker Publishing Group.

Bridges, Jerry. (1988). Trusting God. Colorado Springs: NavPress

Clinton, Dr. Tim, and Dr. Ron Hawkins. 2007. Biblical counseling quick reference guide:
Personal and emotional issues. United States: AACC Press.

Covey, Stephen. 1989. The 7 habits of highly effective people. New York: Simon and Schuster
Publishers

Crabb, Lawrence J. 1987. Understanding People. Grand Rapids: Zondervan

———. 1997. Connecting: A radical new vision. Nashville: Word Publishing. 

———. 2005. Odyssey: Positive psychology- more narcissism? or a welcome corrective? From:
http://www.ecounseling.com/articles/630. Accessed July 2, 2009.

Dempsey, Rod. 2006. Small group leadership training. From: bb7.liberty.edu. accessed July 23,
2009.

Greenberg, Gail, Keren Ganshorn, and Alanna Danilkewich. 2001. Solution-focused therapy:
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focusedtherapyvol47-nov-cme.pdf 

Hawkins, Ron. 2007 Pastoral Assessment Model. HTML Hyper-flash audio file. From:
bb7.liberty.edu. First accessed June 27, 2009, Last accessed July 9, 2009.

Kanel, Kristi. 2007. A guide to crisis intervention. 3rd ed. Belmont: Brooks/Cole, Cengage
Learning.

Kent, Keri Wyatt. 2007. Fix my small groups! Outreach Magazine. (September/October 2007).
From: http://www.christianitytoday.com/outreach/articles/fixmysmallgroups.html.
accessed July 23, 2009

Kollar, Charles. 1997. Solution-focused pastoral counseling. Grand Rapids: Zondervan

Larson, Bruce, Paul Anderson, and Doug Self. 1990. Mastering pastoral care. Portland:
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 SOLUTION-BASED, BRIEF PASTORAL COUNSELING (SBBPC) PROJECT
GRADING GUIDELINES

The following represents an additive grading rubric. Instead of beginning with 100 and
losing points for errors, you begin with a 0 and earn points for your work. In determining your
grade, three questions will be asked:

QUESTION VALUES TOTAL 100 POINTS

INTRODUCTION OF SBBPC? Question Value: 15 Points

 Abstract: Did it introduce context (2), overarching goal (2), and

identify care seeker (2)?
Points: 6
 Table of Contents: Organized with appropriate headings &
subheadings (4), References (1), Appendix (Appendices
identified) (2), and Grading Guideline (2)? Points: 9

PART 1 OF SBBPC: The Counseling Setting? Question Value: 30 Points

 Introduction: Overview of SBBPC w/rationale (5) & assumptions (5) Points: 10

 Pre-session Package: Essential elements explained (2), adequately
prepared (2) & located in Appendix (6): Overview of
SBBPC; Statement of Beliefs and/or Worldview; Ethical
Guidelines; Intake Form(s); Informed Consent; and Referral
Process? Points: 10

 Annotated References of 5 subjects: 3 Required - grief, anger, forgiveness;

2 student’s choice ; and 10 annotated entries/2 per subject? Points: 5

 Journal: Minimum of 7 substantive entries (Wk 1-7 = 1 per week) Points: 5

PART 2 OF SBBPC: The Counselor’s Style? Question Value: 10 Points

 Identified relational language, described relational style (integrated

assessments and course materials)? Points: 5

 Explained plan for controlling Relational Style utilizing course resources

and placed Action Plan in Appendix? Points: 5
PART 3 OF SBBPC: The Counseling Strategy/Structure? Question Value: 20 Points

 P1: Use of assumptions, clear distinction of phase, aim, role and goal,
skill set used to demonstrate fit in aligning w/counselee’s style? Points: 5

 P2: Use of assumptions, clear distinction of phase, aim, role and goal,
pastoral assessment, skill set used in collaborative goal description and
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 identification of strengths and resources? Points: 5

 P3: Use of assumptions, clear distinction of phase, aim, role and goal,
skill set used in collaborative development of vision clarification? Points: 5

 P4: Use of assumptions, clear distinction of phase, aim, role and goal,
skill set used in consolidating change, and partnerships activated to
support and secure change? Points: 5

PART 4 OF SBBPC: The Counseling Summation? Question Value: 25 Points

 Discussed the versatility of the supportive feedback technique? Points: 5

 Developed a procedure for reflexive praxis, identified/secured a

Mentor/Friend, and developed debriefing guidelines? Points: 10

 SBBPC project was written according to graduate-level expectations,

Formatted according to Turabian (7e) Reference Style Guidelines,
utilized required resources and at least two secondary sources,
Appendices (single-spaced) and consisted of no more than 40 pages
(in its entirety)? Points: 10

Grade: Comments:

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