30/08/2026
When we went to the Redemption Camp to train the leaders of RCCG, we saw it as the beginning of a revolution that would shape the way counseling is done in the religious organisations.
The Church is often the first responder, and before many people see a professional counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist, they have already spoken to their pastor.
They bring their failing marriages, depression, grief, trauma, addictions, s*xual problems, family conflicts, and emotional crises to the Church. And because there's a need for professionalism in counseling approach, it is important to have an honest conversation about the fact that Spiritual authority is not the same as professional competence.
A pastor can be anointed and still need training in counseling, a church leader can have wisdom and still need to understand trauma, psychopathology, safeguarding, marital systems, su***de risk, s*xual dysfunction, boundaries, and professional ethics.
Prayer is powerful and faith is important, but prayer should not be used as a substitute for professional competence, and the answer isn’t to remove counseling from the Church but to professionalize it.
Imagine every major church having properly trained counselors who can work alongside pastors, knowing what they can handle, what requires referral, and how to provide ethical, evidence-informed care. That is the type of Church we should all strive to see.
At the Chartered Institute of Counseling in Nigeria (CICN), we are opening our doors to churches and Christian organizations that want to professionally train their counselors, pastors, and ministry leaders. Let's help your Church get better at counseling by understanding how to combine professional counseling skills and ethical practice with pastoral care. Because when people bring you their brokenness, good intentions are not enough.
Contact us today, and let's work together to come up with a tailored solution that will meet your needs.
Email [email protected]
www.thecicn.org