Ministry of the Spirit

There is no need to send people out to counseling or to bring counselors into the church, because what is truly needed should already be available regarding preaching the Gospel, teaching the Word, praying, and fellowshipping with the saints. Therefore churches need to address the following questions: Is the Gospel being preached and taught? Are biblical doctrines having to do with salvation, sanctification, and believers’ walk with the Lord being faithfully taught? Are members studying Scripture? Are those believers who are experiencing problems of living spending time with the Lord in His Word and in prayer, are they desiring to grow in Christ, and are they being encouraged in their faith?  Are they fellowshipping with likeminded believers?  The resources for loving and serving Christ through times of trial are available to every Christian in the Word of God, in the indwelling Holy Spirit, and in the local body of believers.

Christ-Centered Ministry pp. 10-11