With just over a week to go, I’m getting really excited for BASICcon! The theme for this one is Love Is ____ and we’ll be discussing singleness, dating and God. One of the reasons that I’m so looking forward to this is that in prayer I’ve sensed many students are going to be set free and experience healing in the areas of relationships and sex where they have been deeply wounded.
In light of this, we as leaders need to be prepared for a number of difficult conversations. While these may be hard at times, more for our students than us, as the Lord dissects and does surgery on broken hearts transformation can begin to take place. But sometimes one conversation isn’t enough.
I found myself in a pretty deep conversation at the last conference and by the end I realized that this person needed much more than just a 5 minute discussion and prayer time. While I suggested they consider Christian counseling, I wasn’t adequately prepared to refer them to the necessary people.
In light of all this, I want to suggest that you talk with your pastor or anyone else in your church who may be able to recommend Christian counselors that way you can compile a short list and have it in your back pocket for times like these. You may even find that certain counselors are better prepared to handle certain issues which can help when referring students to them.
While we sometimes have a desire to be the end all be all for students, it’s good to recognize when we don’t have the sufficient training to fully help someone. The importance of Christian counseling in situations like these can’t be overstated.