Solution-Based, Short-Term Pastoral Counsleing Final Project

By

Mike Garner

Presented to Dr. Robyn Simmons
In partial fulfillment of the requirements of
Introduction to Pastoral Counseling
PACO 500

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary
Lynchburg, VA
March 3, 2013
Abstract

My future ministry will be as Co-Pastor of a medium sized Community Church in Lewisville, Texas. Each Sunday the church will have approximately 240 in attendance of Sunday morning worship service. My overarching goal for life is to live in and teach others how to grow in the hope that comes from the redemption provided by Jesus Christ. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Ephesians 1:7)
I will be using the solution-based, short-term pastoral counseling model based
Once the problem is identified, the process of identifying the solution begins. Hawkins refers to this as the preferred story (Hawkins, 3). The ability to execute the solution is tested with the tracking question; for example, “What is the first sign that you are on track to getting a little better?” (Kollar, 131). Getting to this point may extend into the second session. Another time related element of the relationship is break that occurs towards the end of the session. The break is short, usually ten minutes, and provides both the counselor and counselee a chance to reflect and pray over the previous discussion. A prayer room adjacent to the sanctuary is made available to the counselee, while the counselor retreats to the pastor’s office. After the break, the counselor is able to offer feedback and to assign homework for the counselee to complete before returning for another session (Kollar, 151). This homework is an integral element of the process that leads to positive change and growth (See Appendix C). By the end of the second session and going into the third session, there should be a collaborative plan that is being executed for growth and a solution to the problem. The homework that is given after the break, is a vital part of this phase of the counseling and in this activity the