Do you feel the counseling demands placed on elders are fair and scriptural?
I live in an economically depressed industial city. My dad is an elder in a lower income black congregation. There is a high rate of mental illness in the area. He is retired now, but he spends a tremendous amount of time counseling depressed and unstable individuals. Many people do not have the money to seek professional help. Why does the organization expect untrained elders to do a job that is difficult even for professionals? It's unfair and is upsetting me. My father should be enjoying retirement, not running around dealing with everyone's problems. These people need Professional therapy. I believe a quarter of the women at my hall are mentally and emotionally unstable. many have low self esteem from growing up in broken homes, and the guilt and demands placed upon them exacerbate the situation. My dad holds a masters degree and is the only elder with a college education. I think it's ridiculous that these men are called upon to deal with those who have mental illness.
Your thoughts? Did you feel overwhelmed and unqualified?