It is true – ministers are some of the most stressed persons in the world,
Kelly Barnett notes.
That can lead to personal problems – even family problems, said Barnett,
director of Granberry Counseling Centers for the Louisiana Baptist Childrens
Home.
It is true – ministers are some of the most stressed persons in the world,
Kelly Barnett notes.
That can lead to personal problems – even family problems, said Barnett,
director of Granberry Counseling Centers for the Louisiana Baptist Childrens
Home.
However, Louisiana Baptist ministers seeking help with family or personal problems
now have a new team resource – the childrens home and the state conventions
church-minister relations office.
The two entities have teamed up to offer affordable Christian counseling to
ministers and their families through the Granberry Counseling Centers around
the state.
One leader involved in the effort described as a “win-win” relationship.
“Ministers live in a fishbowl, …” Barnett acknowledged. “Our
goal is to help their marriage, help with their stresses.”
It is a goal shared by Alan Miller, director of the Louisiana Baptist church-minister
relations office. “Our goal is to help them have a healthy life, …”
he said. “And this arrangement – this partnership – is designed
to make professional counseling more accessible and affordable.”
Making the counseling accessible is key, explained Perry Hancock, who recently
was elected as executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Childrens Home.
That especially is important for bivocational ministers, he and Barnett noted.
When those ministers have to take off of work to travel to a counselor, they
lose pay and support for their families.
That is where Granberry resources are key. The home currently operates 16 counseling
centers in Monroe, Winnsboro, Ruston, Minden, St. Joseph, Pineville, Leesville,
Jena, Oakdale, Winnfield, Natchitoches, Vidalia, Baton Rouge, Bluebonnet, Gonzales
and Lake Charles.
More locations are planned.
Since opening, Granberry centers have offered affordable professional counseling
to individuals, couples and families. They also have provided seminars and presentations
on various issues.
Now, they are seeking to extend those services to Louisiana Baptist ministers.
“And if were helping ministers, were helping churches,”
Hancock explained.
The counseling is confidential and provided by arrangements with various professionals
throughout the state.
Under the arrangement recently approved by Louisiana Baptist Childrens
Home trustees and convention leaders, Granberry counseling will be offered to
qualified ministers at $30 per session.
However, if a minister is unable to pay that fee, the Louisiana Baptist church-minister
relations office has agreed to pay up to $300 per calendar year per family.
The approved agreement states that if additional counseling is needed beyond
that 10-session mark, “Granberry Counseling Center will make every effort
to continue with their service at an affordable rate.”
Also, under the agreement, ministers who have been terminated or forced to
resign will not be charged for counseling. The childrens home will assume
the costs.
In cases where ministers wish to choose other than a Granberry counselor, the
church-minister relations office will participate on an approved cost-sharing
basis.
“We are here to assist and encourage our ministers and their families,”
Miller said.
Meanwhile, Hancock said he sees the partnership as a perfect extension of the
homes ministry since it is certain to support childrens needs as
well as others.
Miller said the Granberry Counseling Centers already have proven their worth.
He spoke of a minister who was depressed to the point of being suicidal. After
talking with the man, Miller contacted Granberry Counseling Centers and arranged
for help to be provided.
The minister is in a much better place emotionally and spiritually now, he
said.
“Hes alive today because of that,” Barnett said of the situation.
“Absolutely,” Miller echoed.
The new counseling partnership is available to all Louisiana Baptists recognized
as ministers by a church, organization or institution. This includes pastors,
as well as ministers of education, music, youth and others – and their
families.
The Granberry Counseling Centers are supported by a $1 million gift made by
longtime Louisiana Baptists Ray and Mary Anna Granberry in 1997. It employs
licensed counselors who hold a masters degree in counseling, social work or
marriage and family therapy. Counselors are required to meet all state professional
standards.
Counseling interns used by the centers have earned masters degrees and are
working towards meeting license requirements.
For information about the new counseling partnership, ministers may contact
the Louisiana Baptist church-minister relations office at (800) 622-6549
or (318) 448-3402.
Ministers also may contact a Granberry counselor directly and receive information
regarding the program.
For general information about Granberry Counseling Centers and their locations,
persons may call the Monroe office at (318) 345-8200 or the Baton Rouge
office at (225) 261-9989 or (877) 251-9989.