Imagine the following scenario:
Bill is a Christian and an avid user of the internet. His involvement began casually with email and research projects, but before long deteriorated into dozens of hours and hundreds of dollars spent in the seedy lairs of internet porn.
Five years ago the risk of a committed Christian being drawn into sexual addiction was minimal. Opportunities for such behaviors were countered by the risk of exposure. In order to indulge an aberrant temptation, individuals had to chance being seen making a purchase or showing their faces in places they would prefer it not be recognized. As pastors and counselors all over the world are now abundantly aware, such is no longer the case. Today a curious person can visit hell itself and leave no one but God the wiser.
For many, the anonymity of the net is proving to be a powerful adversary. Jobs are being lost, marriages are being ruined, and lives are being ravaged. For some, it is fascination with pornography that is the lure; for others, the casual and often dangerous relationships forged in chat rooms. But for all who find themselves caught in the internet "web," it is serious business.
Sexual addictions often go untreated. One reason for this is the glamorization of sexuality by our culture. With nymphs and satyrs being portrayed as heroic in the popular media, it is often difficult to bring sexual addict to the place of real awareness. For Christians, however, shame is probably the key player. One can survive all sorts of difficulties in the milieu of the church, but sexual failure has the potential to "lay one low." The perception exists that the stigma of sexual failure lasts a lifetime. Whether it is forgivable is less of a concern to most than whether it is forgettable.
It was this particular dynamic that provided the original impetus for the Barnabus Christian
Counseling Network. Cyber space is a real place, and for better or worse, more and more people are deciding to take up residence there. But unlike the real world, cyber people can become invisible and go to places they would never risk entering physically. Purveyors of internet filth prey on this possibility, and the number of individuals being caught in their web grows daily. A recent study of the data entered into various search engines revealed that fully eighty percent of the entries are aimed at finding sexual material. Yet, for those looking for a way out, the pickings are slim; and what options do exist as counseling opportunities are not equipped to bring the healing perspective and power of Jesus Christ. How is the church going to respond to this new challenge?
It is my belief that the solution is as obvious as the problem: If anonymity is the "spoon that stirs the sauce, then anonymity could be the soap that cleans the spoon."
The Barnabus Network is being honed as a major offensive against the dark side of the net. An individual seeking help will be able to log onto www.barnabus.com in the privacy of his or her own home, select a counselor with the qualities desired and, for a reasonable fee, get help with a specific problem. Barnabus has entered the world of cyberspace to be a counter-offensive and to provide a safe haven for those who have been trapped in the world of the internet. We are modern missionaries who are redeeming this vehicle to the honor and glory of God.
The concept of counseling over the internet is not without its detractors. Objections to the practice usually center around the loss of the visual component in counseling. The lack of a "physical presence" in internet counseling can be a concern in some cases. However, the anonymity of the internet method allows for a deeper level of disclosure on the part of the counselee. The barriers to honesty are reduced creating a more transparent counseling environment.
Like all forms of counseling, the quality of the counseling is dependent on the expertise of the counselor and the level of motivation for change in the counselee. Barnabus addresses the first concern by offering ongoing support to counselors. Regular forums are scheduled for counselors to interact in a secure chat environment. Through sharing mutual support and encouragement, counselors gain proficiency in this new form of therapy, and grow in their knowledge of treatment options. A regular newsletter is also sent electronically to all counselors covering various subjects currently under discussion.
With respect to motivation for change in the counselee, the main barrier is a sense of safety. As transparency deepens the risk of rejection increases. For many, the possibility of experiencing this "loss of face" is overwhelming. Since counselees will be voluntarily logging onto the network, we can assume that a measure of motivation for change is present. Therefore, the main obstacle to translating that initial risk into a passion for change is the creation of a safe environment where the truth can be told. The anonymity of the online environment increases the safety factor in way previously unknown.
While the Barnabus Network will be ideal for internet related difficulties, it is in no way limited to such issues. Counselors have the opportunity to register to counsel in every area from spiritual direction to depression, addictions, eating disorders, anxiety, etc. A series of basic tests are available online and can be accessed without committing to seeing a counselor. They include tests dealing with anxiety, stress, and over-all health.
The Barnabus Christian Counseling Network has been formed to have an impact on the Kingdom
of God. As its presence becomes more and more known in the Christian community, we are
certain it will bring hope and encouragement to thousands.
Please pray for www.barnabus.com in its mission to bring Hope and Encouragement Online.
