Why Sojourners?

If you have ever read John Bunyan’s book ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’, you’ll know there were those who came alongside ‘Christian’, who either were a hindrance or aid for his journey. Sojourners is about the latter, seeking to facilitate care and counsel for people's life/faith journeys.

The heartbeat of sojourners is sojourning, to bring the resources and support for those who need it on part of their life or faith journey. A biblical picture that captures the aims of Sojourners is found in gospel of Luke, Chapter 24. Here in the ‘Emmaus Road account’ we see Jesus coming alongside His confused and downhearted disciples. He listens and instructs them on part of their journey, opening their eyes to Himself and the scriptures whilst also dispelling their confusion and despair.

The word Sojourners itself is a noun. It is found in the Old Testament (KJV) on a number of occasions with reference to those who accompanied other people and God, e.g. Numbers 35:15, Psalm 39:12. In the NIV version of the Bible the same word for ‘Sojourners’ is translated as a temporary resident.

Christian Counselling practice can be seen as involving someone coming alongside another for a temporary time, as part of the bigger journey of someone’s life/faith journey, whether or not the counselling is short-term or long-term in nature. Christian Counsellors by nature of their calling, ministry, and practice are Sojourners.

Please Note: There are a number of Organisations (Non-Christian and Christian), Christian programmes, music artists and groups in the USA that are identified with the name of Sojourners, they are not connected with this website, or the ministry of Sojourners Christian Counselling and Pastoral Care.

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