Category Archives: Counseling/Pastoral Issues

Pronouncement and Process in the Pastoral Call

Posted on July 1, 2013 by Uri Brito

The pastoral task requires a prophetic and priestly vision. The prophetic dimension comes through proclamation in word. This proclamation fills the ministry of word with grace. Grace is riches in the Bible. So the pastoral proclamation is a form of … Continue reading →

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What to do when I am planning to sin?

Posted on June 17, 2013 by Uri Brito

A wonderful piece by Ed Welch offers some thoughts on this profound question. Welch writes that there are two patterns: 1. Confess—then ignore. A couple indulges in premarital sex and feels guilty. They confess it to the Lord, and promise God and … Continue reading →

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Why Ministers Leave

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Uri Brito

The typical pastor stays in a church for 3.6 years. This does not seem to offer much hope for any long-term vision for a local parish. Planning ahead seems futile from the outset. This discouraging number stems from a variety … Continue reading →

Posted in Ascension, Baptists, Children and Worship, Christian Liberty, Christian Living, Counseling/Pastoral Issues, Covenant Renewal Worship, Culture, Word/Sacrament | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Abuse of Introspection

Posted on July 13, 2012 by Uri Brito

Some people dwell so much on their sinfulness that they find themselves constantly bombarding their status with doubt. Am I really a Christian? Am I worthy? These questions are not atypical of those who grow up in environments where internalized … Continue reading →

Posted in Counseling/Pastoral Issues, Psalms, Puritans, Reformed Theology, Theological Thoughts | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Vain Regrets

Posted on July 11, 2012 by Uri Brito

Lloyd-Jones classifies a particular group of people with the following description: In the natural realm there is the type of person who tends to be always analyzing himself, analyzing everything he does, and worrying about the possible effects of his actions, … Continue reading →

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Temperament and Spiritual Depression

Posted on July 11, 2012 by Uri Brito

Martyn Lloyd-Jones offers a fine distinction for pastors to consider: But while I emphasize, with all my being, the fact that temperament does not make the slightest difference in the matter of our fundamental salvation, I am equally anxious to … Continue reading →

Posted in Counseling/Pastoral Issues | 2 Comments

Pastoral Counsel, Maturity, Caution, Alcoholism, and Ten Theses: Some Further Reflections

Posted on August 23, 2011 by Uri Brito

{Note: I am sure I will be updating and editing this piece for greater clarity. I hope this discussion proves helpful. Thanks to JP & John Anselmo for your thoughts} My topic is rather broad, which conveys my conviction that … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer/Wine/Tobacco, Counseling/Pastoral Issues | 3 Comments

Pastoral Work and Depression

Posted on July 25, 2011 by Uri Brito

I am thankful that in my few years of pastorate God has placed godly men in my life. Men like Mickey Schnider, Randy Booth, and many others have really shaped my thinking. Paul Tripp’s latest post is a post I … Continue reading →

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Reconciliation

Posted on April 30, 2011 by Uri Brito

Paul embodies the life of reconciliation. But reconciliation is not devoid of tact and graciousness. In Paul’s appeal to Philemon he begins with grace and greetings, rather than accusation and forceful terms. Paul’s reconciliatory letter is a mediatorial letter. Pastors–in … Continue reading →

Posted in Counseling/Pastoral Issues, Philemon | 1 Comment

Assurance and Counseling

Posted on April 22, 2011 by Uri Brito

I have been reading through Jay Adam’s 1975 The Use of the Scriptures in Counseling. I have interviewed him at Trinity Talk (See interviews here), and beyond that, I have also sought his counsel in a few counseling situations in … Continue reading →

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Living Publicly

Posted on March 29, 2011 by Uri Brito

Ed Welch offers a beautiful vision of living publicly. He focuses mainly on addiction as a hindrance to living publicly. Welch observes: If there is one ecumenical feature of most theologies it is this: God sees and hears. He is … Continue reading →

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Dignified Death?

Posted on March 29, 2011 by Uri Brito

David Mills at First Things offers powerful and sobering thoughts on what the death of his father taught him. He writes: “Death with dignity” seems to offer not only an escape from pain and humiliation but a rational and apparently … Continue reading →

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Moving Towards People

Posted on March 25, 2011 by Uri Brito

Ed Welch writes that in times of trouble and distress, we are called to move towards people not away from them. He writes: We were created to be a people. The created intent of human beings was that we would … Continue reading →

Posted in Counseling/Pastoral Issues | 2 Comments

Finding Hope in Grief

Posted on August 2, 2010 by Uri Brito

Paul Tripp offers some profound insights into death. One of the more important observations was the following: God doesn’t call you to stifle your grief or put on a happy face when you are crushed. He doesn’t expect you to … Continue reading →

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