Recent violence that erupted during a couple's church counseling session reinforces need for churches to fully evaluate the risks and benefits of such a ministry.
Contact: Louise Ferrebee, Christianity Today International, 630-260-6200 ext 4246, lferrebee@christianitytoday.com
CAROL STREAM, Ill., March 31 /Christian Newswire/ -- Earlier in March, Charles Parsons shot and killed his ex-wife, Carol, at a couples' counseling session at a Seattle church. Family members say that Parsons had never been physically violent toward her in the past, so there was no apparent reason to suspect that violence would erupt.
Counseling is a ministry many churches provide. Sometimes the counseling is provided by a pastor. However, more and more, churches are creating lay counseling ministries to help relieve some of the pastors' time, as well as mitigate some of the legal risks associated with counseling ministries.
"Simple Tips for Starting a Lay Counseling Ministry" is a free article provided by ChurchSafety.com that provides insights into the issues churches need to consider before launching a lay counseling ministry.
"According to the experts we turned to, getting started involves laying a risk management framework to help you select, train, and supervise lay counselors," notes Marian Liautaud, editor of ChurchSafety.com, a website created by Christianity Today International and Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company offering churches expert advice on a broad range of safety topics. "For instance, churches should contact both their attorney and insurance company as an important first step when starting a counseling ministry."
While there may have been no way to prevent Carol Parsons' death, churches are wise to evaluate the potential risks of counseling and have safety protocols in place to reduce and be able to respond to potentially dangerous situations.
Christianity Today International is a not-for-profit Christian media ministry founded by Billy Graham in 1956, with 9 publications and an award-winning website reaching more than 2.5-million unique visitors monthly.
