CCOU 305
INTERVIEW PAPER ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS
OVERVIEW
In this course, you will write a 3–5-page paper, in current APA format, that details an interview
with a pastoral or professional counselor regarding issues in sexuality that he/she has
experienced in his/her vocational setting.
INSTRUCTIONS
Conduct an interview with a person who does counseling as their full-time vocation (counselor,
psychologist, counseling pastor, etc.). You will ask at least 10 open-ended questions that require
more than just a simple “yes” or “no” answer. The aim of the interview is to discover the
counselor’s personal model for decision-making as well as learn from a current practitioner in
the field. (Hint: Your interviewee may not have one, so your questions must seek to discover
how he/she goes about making decisions in his/her position.) Consider the following areas in
developing your questions: theoretical approach, biblical integration, ethics, and sexual issues
they may have encountered in the counseling setting (pornography, infidelity, infertility, same-
sex attraction, etc.).
The body of the paper must be 3–5 pages and contain a general summary of the interviewee’s
approach to decision-making and your critique as to its strengths and weaknesses. This critique
must be based on counseling practices and biblical principles. The full transcript of the interview
(questions and answers) must be submitted in writing as an appendix to the paper. Current APA
format must be followed; however, a Reference Page is not required for this assignment.
Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the Tuntitin plagiarism tool.
INTERVIEW 1
Name
Date
INTERVIEW 2
Background of Interviewee
I decided to interview a Pastor for this work since I believed it would help me do it
properly. I thought it interesting that pastors from other areas could assist individuals with the
following issues.
As a pastor, a 75-year-old lady has been in the church for 40 years. As part of the
ministerial training programme of the church she attended, she attended an unaccredited bible
school paid for by the church’s bishop. The majority of her therapy knowledge comes from her
own life experiences. These questions were asked of the individual being interviewed during the
interview.
Summary
Based on how she responded to the interview questions, I believe her treatment
philosophy is strongly anchored in biblical concepts that aid the client’s recovery. She asserts,
“The Bible is the absolute truth, and its principles are the only ones that work in the long term if
followed correctly.” She states that she would treat problems differently depending on the
client’s desires and whether they were amenable to religious or secular therapy. She described
how she viewed the function of sex in marriage from two distinct perspectives. Although
marriage is beneficial in all cultures and keeps the bed pure, God will punish those who commit
adultery and whoredom (Hebrew 13:4). The LORD God created man from dust. He breathed the
breath of life into his nostrils, and man became a living soul. God considers marriage the most
essential institution (Genesis 2:7). It is likely that when God created humans, He imbued them
with a portion of Himself, which is why He placed such a high value on sexuality. This is likely
why the creator places such a high priority on sexual activity.
INTERVIEW 3
She constantly considers the meaning of the Bible. She believed the Bible would provide
answers to all of her questions. Even though she has a degree in either psychology or Christian
counselling from a reputable university, she claims she solely listens to the Holy Spirit. She
identifies Colossians 3:1-6 as the most significant passage in her Christian morality. Her primary
objective is to have the heart of Christ and to offer any physical imperfections to Christ.
Therefore, when she provides advice to others, she emphasizes this topic, instructing them to put
the things of the body to death and bring the things of the Spirit back to life by committing to
live more like Christ. Some examples include frequent church attendance, membership in various
Christian groups, community involvement, and a Christ-centered lifestyle. She said it is difficult
to discuss infidelity, but they attempt to remind couples that they must forgive each other before
they can heal. If you cannot let go of previous mistakes, it is difficult to progress in life. Jesus
pleaded in Matthew 6:12, “Please forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven those who owe us.”
It is difficult to obtain the forgiveness of others if we cannot forgive ourselves.
She aims to refrain from communicating about sex with a child until he or she is sexually
active or caught engaging in sexual activity. She believes that if children learn about sexuality at
an early age, they may be interested in it before they become 18 years old. In most situations,
however, this should be left to the church. She said the age to convert about sex is eighteen;
converting before that might cause misunderstanding. A medical expert or religious leader
should be held accountable for an individual’s perceptions of his or her body. She believes that
self-gratification is a negative trait that individuals should strive to avoid. She said in her
perspective, oral sex should not be permitted in the Christian religion. If they choose to have
Christian children, they must make holiness the focal point of their sexuality and relationships. In
this location, neither toys nor experiments are permitted.
INTERVIEW 4
In her view, the dissatisfied partner in a marriage should pray and seek God for assistance
during these difficult times. Their bodies are inseparable; thus, they cannot be apart until
separation would compel the other to succumb to temptation. According to the pastor, the couple
alone is responsible for communication, and the pastor’s only recommendation is to pray and
seek God’s will for their life. If the issues between the couple or couples in question do not
appear to be resolved, they should seek assistance from a neutral third party.
Counselling Practice and Biblical Principle Strengths
There are some similarities between counselling practice and Bible teaching. Integrity is
one’s personal and professional life, and compliance with the law shares many similarities. It is
essential, when providing therapy, to respect the client’s position and defend their rights when
they are vulnerable. Ethical and legal restrictions are in place to prevent individuals from being
exploited. ‘Obeying man’s law as God’s law’ (Roman 13:1-7). We are Christians, and we should
not exempt ourselves from obeying the law. We are responsible for abiding by the law and
ensuring that others do the same.
Counselling Practice and Biblical Principle Weaknesses
The grace of God’s forgiveness is a gift, but the weak cannot express their gratitude
adequately. Given the opportunity, it would be impossible for a Christian not to discuss what it
means to be loved by God with clients. They should not be implemented if the client does not
want to use biblical concepts. If the counsel insists on adhering to biblical rules, it will act
contrary to the principles of right and wrong.
INTERVIEW 5
Conclusion
In conclusion, this interview taught me that counsellors must overcome multiple
obstacles to assist each client effectively. In contemporary culture, potentially harmful practices
such as pornography, adultery, and social networking have become “normal.” People have
stopped listening to and caring about God’s words and desires for his people. Each client must be
willing to receive assistance for counselling to be effective, and there are numerous framework
models and resources for counselling. It is possible to treat any client using biblical concepts,
whether the session focuses on trauma healing or restoring emotions. While I believe that both
secular and Christian therapy attempt to help their clients, I agree with the pastor that biblical
teachings can lead to “long-term recovery.” The greatest wasted opportunity in our culture is that
biblical principles be applied uniformly to everyone.
INTERVIEW 6
Appendix
Interview of a Pastor
1. How do you feel about sexual encounters between a married couple?
I think there are two distinct perspectives on the function of sex in marriage. Although
marriage is beneficial in all cultures and keeps the bed pure, God will punish those who commit
adultery and whoredom (Hebrew 13:4). The LORD God created man from dust. He breathed the
breath of life into his nostrils, and man became a living soul. God considers marriage the most
essential institution (Genesis 2:7). It is likely that when God created humans, He imbued them
with a portion of Himself, which is why He placed such a high value on sexuality. This is likely
why the creator places such a high priority on sexual activity.
2. What theory do you employ to assist those in need and provide general counselling?
I consider the meaning of the Bible. I believe the Bible would provide answers to all of
her questions. Even though I have a degree in either psychology or Christian counselling from a
reputable university, I claim I solely listen to the Holy Spirit.
3. What role does your moral compass have in your counselling?
I identify Colossians 3:1-6 as the most significant passage in Christian morality. “Because you
have risen with Christ, fix your thoughts on the things in heaven, where Christ sits at the right
hand of God. Consider the things in heaven more than you consider the things on earth. You will
return with Christ when he returns to be exalted in his presence since you have already died, and
your new life is now hidden with Christ in God. Then put to death everything that is a part of
INTERVIEW 7
your worldly nature, such as sexual immorality and impurity, lust, wicked desires, and
covetousness, which is a desire that leads to idolatry. As a direct consequence of their actions,
God will punish them.” My primary objective is to have the heart of Christ and to offer any
physical imperfections to Christ. Therefore, when I advise others and emphasize this topic, I
instruct them to put the things of the body to death and bring the things of the Spirit back to life
by committing to live more like Christ. Some examples include frequent church attendance,
membership in various Christian groups, community involvement, and a Christ-centered
lifestyle.
4. What suggestions for starting the healing process when the issue is an affair?
I think it is difficult to discuss infidelity, but they attempt to remind couples that they must
forgive each other before they can heal. If we cannot let go of previous mistakes, it is difficult to
progress in life. Jesus pleaded in Matthew 6:12, “Please forgive us our debts, as we have
forgiven those who owe us.” It is difficult to obtain the forgiveness of others if we cannot forgive
ourselves.
5. How should parents discuss sexuality, and how do their children feel about their
bodies with their children?
My perspective is to refrain from communicating with a child until he or she is sexually active or
caught engaging in sexual activity. I believe that if children learn about sexuality at an early age,
they may be interested in it before they become 18 years old. In most situations, however, this
should be left to the church.
INTERVIEW 8
6. When do you believe it is appropriate to begin conversations with adolescents
regarding sexuality, how they feel about their bodies, and the behaviours they
engage in to achieve happiness?
The appropriate age to convert is eighteen; converting before that might cause misunderstanding.
A medical expert or religious leader should be held accountable for an individual’s perceptions
of his or her body. I believe that self-gratification is a negative trait that individuals should strive
to avoid.
7. What are your thoughts on sexual intimacy, oral stimulation, and sexual content
laws inside marriage?
I believe oral sex should not be permitted in the Christian religion. If people choose to have
Christian children, they must make holiness the focal point of their sexuality and relationships. In
this location, neither toys nor experiments are permitted.
8. How can you convince a spouse uncomfortable with their own sexuality to be more
receptive to sexual encounters in the marriage?
The dissatisfied partner should pray and seek God for assistance during these difficult times.
Their bodies are inseparable; thus, they cannot be apart until separation would compel the other
to succumb to temptation.
INTERVIEW 9
9. Do you believe the current Christian community understands the significance of
communicating sexual dissatisfaction? What actions would you recommend they
take to feel better?
The couple alone is responsible for communication, and the pastor’s only recommendation is to
pray and seek God’s will for their life. If the issues between the couple or couples in question do
not appear to be resolved, they should seek assistance from a neutral third party.
10. Do you feel counsellors feel any difficulty using biblical principles?
When attempting to assist each client most effectively, counsellors confront various problems.
Harmful activities such as pornography, adultery, and social networking have acquired a degree
of “normal” acceptance in contemporary culture. People have ceased to listen and care about
what God says and plans for them. Using biblical concepts may benefit any client, whether the
purpose of the session is to recover from trauma or correct feelings. Even while I believe that
both secular and Christian therapy seek to serve their clients. Long-term therapy is better for the
clients.
