Counseling

I've asked a fair number of people about the function of a church, and I've been able to get a diverse group of satisfying answers so far. Naturally, I can never stay completely satisfied, so I continue to seek out more answers. I went to a discussion last night concerning pastoral counseling. It was a very interesting discussion, but it led me to think to think about another valuable element of church function--counseling. As a side note, I believe Calvin really touched on the church function topic in this quote,

"Because it is now our intention to discuss the visible church, let us learn from the simple title “mother” how useful, indeed necessary, it is that we should know her. For there is no other way to enter life unless this mother conceive us in her womb, give us birth, nourish us at her breast, and lastly, unless she keep us under her care and guidance until, putting off mortal flesh, we become like the angels (Matthew 22:30). Our weakness does not allow us to be dismissed from her school until we have been pupils all our lives. . . . God’s fatherly favor and the especial witness of spiritual life are limited to his flock, so that it is always disastrous to leave the church."