Renewal Counseling Ministry

VISION STATEMENT

To renew lives in Christ in a relational context by applying biblical wisdom to all of life’s challenges, combining love with truth and discernment.

PURPOSE

While God has given his word to every believer to be “useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be equipped for every good work” (2Ti 3:16,17), the body of Christ has not always felt prepared to apply this word in various circumstances. Mental illness, addiction, and emotional suffering are just a few examples where the majority of Christians are likely to feel uncomfortable to address these issues. As a result, people who face these struggles will often suffer in silence because the message to them is clear that the church is not ready to handle their burden. This cannot be.

This ministry exists to begin a culture transformation within the church, from one of uncomfortable silence to one of willful and intentional counseling relationships that bring spiritual healing. The members of this ministry will provide individual biblical counseling for those seeking such help. It is necessary to have a safe haven for which people will know their issues will remain confidential. But this group will not desire to be the only resource for such help. Its aim is to equip the church at large to be able to counsel one another effectively, so that biblical counseling will take place in the context of everyday relationships. This group will serve to train and facilitate counseling endeavors among members, leaders, and groups who wish to see God’s word applied in real life situations. It will also consider and implement ways to educate and embody these principles within the culture of this church.

It is possible that this ministry may be an entry point for someone at our church. We have many hurting people who come through our door, and their pain may be the very thing which is leading them to Christ and/or our church. It is also likely that this ministry will serve to equip others to counsel more effectively, and thus to improve personal and/or corporate ministry. But the primary function for this ministry will be to mature believers in the faith. When an area in one’s life is not talked about because it has been hidden from view, this can become a serious gap in a Christian’s understanding of their spiritual maturity. While in other areas they may be growing, in significant ways their growth can become stunted because this area has not been integrated into their understanding of the gospel. This ministry seeks to help people see all of their life in uninterrupted fashion within a biblical worldview.

MINISTRY METHOD
  1. To equip members of the counseling team
    1. Through topical meetings
      1. Every other month
      2. Planned topical curriculum
    2. Through shepherding care and personal accountability
      1. Group shepherd will check in with each member monthly to evaluate counseling relationships
      2. Group shepherd will solicit concerns from the team member that may be addressed by the group or by the team leader
    3. Through conferences
      1. Annual Living Faith conference
      2. Other conferences
    4. Through training materials
      1. All members will view Changing Lives DVD series and demonstrate competency
      2. Journal of Biblical Counseling articles
      3. Various books and booklets as part of a growing Counseling Ministry library
  2. To equip leaders of the church to counsel others
    1. Counseling team member(s) will give interactive presentations at leaders’ meetings (2-3 per year?)
    2. Develop a “counseling others” seminar for leaders’ retreat
    3. Leaders can utilize counseling team on as needed basis to process issues which arise in the course of ministry
  3. To change the culture of this church
    1. To encourage and support the open discussion of counseling related issues
      1. From the pulpit
      2. From the leadership
    2. To provide seminars/workshops on counseling related issues
    3. To support and facilitate the running of groups for people dealing with similar issues
Leadership qualities for this ministry:
  • Primary content leader of the team – a mature Christian, has demonstrated adequate group leadership skills, has a strong working knowledge of the biblical counseling concepts, able to filter ideas from secular counseling through a biblical lens, sees own life through biblical lens (hence is a good student of scripture), able to tolerate different ideas but careful to protect the doctrines of the church (hence is keenly aware of the aims of the church as a whole and is in submission to it), is known for compassion and relationships marked by love shown to others.
  • Shepherd of the team – relational, enjoys working towards group harmony, known for following through on matters discussed (is dependable), loving and nurturing, goes deeper in relationships, communicates well with the leader and organizers of the ministry.
  • Organizer – willing and eager to assist group in accomplishing goals (not the one who drew the shortest straw), follows through in timely fashion, does not struggle greatly with fear of man, strong communication skills, own life is ordered well, has a passion to see goals of ministry realized.
Suggested Readings:
  • Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands, Paul Tripp and Tim Lane
  • Counseling is the Church, Journal of Biblical Counseling, David Powlison
  • Did He Die For You? Journal of Biblical Counseling, Tim Keller

(September 16, 2007)
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