How close should a pastor get to the members?

[Charnock]

Originally Posted by Amos

I am not a big fan of a lot of counseling. It rarely helps much, and creating a reliance on it keeps people spiritually immature.

Obviously there are exceptions, such as crises and emergencies, but I generally ask people if they have spent signifigant time praying about their dilemma before I am going to spend much time talking to them about it. If they haven't, I tell them to spend some time praying and fasting, and get back with me if they are still stuck...

Most of the time that does the trick.

After several years of that modus operandi, I don't get a whole lot of requests for counseling sessions.

That's pretty much the way I roll, as well.

I don't do "counseling."

I pray with people, point out Biblical principles for living, instruct, correct, rebuke and restore. But I do not counsel.