After 6 Years, a Milestone Worth Celebrating
"All human beings are counselors, whether wise, foolish, or mixed. All Christians are meant to become wiser counselors." – David Powlison
David expanded on that idea by pointing out that even if our advice is messy or flawed, we are still constantly counseling the people around us by how we listen, react, and speak into their lives. He challenged readers that even if you are shy, aggressive, or completely ineffectual at counseling, "you are still a counselor." His aim was to encourage everyday Christians to realize this responsibility and intentionally grow into wiser, more grace-giving ones.
Angela and I have seen it and felt it in our own lives and in the life of the church. Because we saw our need for greater help in counseling, Angela and I began pursuing a structured path toward offering more sound biblical care. And that pursuit has had a significant impact upon our church!
Angela and I began a certificate program through Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF). I completed the two certificate programs available through CCEF and Angela began with CCEF and then transferred to Westminster Theological Seminary (WTS) to complete her Master of Counseling (MAC) degree. In addition to the two of us getting help, both Jeremy and Tiffany completed their two certificates with CCEF, Mike Weyand also finished his, and Carol Barclay and Cristina Castillo are about one class away from completing theirs. In addition, we have numerous people who have taken multiple classes (I think there’s about 15 people who have taken Dynamics of Biblical Change at Summit). Many who have pursued becoming better counselors. And we have a few folks considering pursuing their own MAC degrees from WTS! It is really quite remarkable and encouraging!
(If you would like to pursue becoming a better counselor in your life, let us know. We would love to help direct you… and if it’s through CCEF, there is a discount for students when we have 5 or more people in a class.)
Part of my reason in sharing these fun facts and background is because this next week Angela and I travel to WTS in Philadelphia for her to graduate after completing her 61 hours of rigorous Biblical classes! She has faithfully pushed through, semester after semester, plugging away with perseverance and teachability. I have had the blessing of being on the front row of watching Angela grow and walk alongside many who are suffering. I have watched her grow in listening and offering Biblically sound advice along the way. I have seen her draw closer to the Lord and watched it overflow into her care. It is an exciting milestone for us in celebrating the work accomplished and all that the Lord has taught us over the years! (Well done, Angela!)
This is all about our desire to offer better care for our church. The elders kindly commissioned her to pursue this training so that we would be better equipped to care for our church. This is an answer to many years of prayer!
In our desire to provide sound Biblical wisdom to all areas of life, we have a Hope page on our website to help direct folks who are wanting specific help and discipleship in areas of their lives.
Life is hard. There is sin within that repeatedly trips us up, there is suffering that comes at us, there is grief, and there are places we find ourselves that feel unbearable. This is how life often is this side of Heaven. We want to provide rich, Biblical care for each person we walk alongside. What encourages me so much is that I see that happening more and more!
To God be the glory!
Held Abundantly By His Grace,
Pastor John
David expanded on that idea by pointing out that even if our advice is messy or flawed, we are still constantly counseling the people around us by how we listen, react, and speak into their lives. He challenged readers that even if you are shy, aggressive, or completely ineffectual at counseling, "you are still a counselor." His aim was to encourage everyday Christians to realize this responsibility and intentionally grow into wiser, more grace-giving ones.
Angela and I have seen it and felt it in our own lives and in the life of the church. Because we saw our need for greater help in counseling, Angela and I began pursuing a structured path toward offering more sound biblical care. And that pursuit has had a significant impact upon our church!
Angela and I began a certificate program through Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF). I completed the two certificate programs available through CCEF and Angela began with CCEF and then transferred to Westminster Theological Seminary (WTS) to complete her Master of Counseling (MAC) degree. In addition to the two of us getting help, both Jeremy and Tiffany completed their two certificates with CCEF, Mike Weyand also finished his, and Carol Barclay and Cristina Castillo are about one class away from completing theirs. In addition, we have numerous people who have taken multiple classes (I think there’s about 15 people who have taken Dynamics of Biblical Change at Summit). Many who have pursued becoming better counselors. And we have a few folks considering pursuing their own MAC degrees from WTS! It is really quite remarkable and encouraging!
(If you would like to pursue becoming a better counselor in your life, let us know. We would love to help direct you… and if it’s through CCEF, there is a discount for students when we have 5 or more people in a class.)
Part of my reason in sharing these fun facts and background is because this next week Angela and I travel to WTS in Philadelphia for her to graduate after completing her 61 hours of rigorous Biblical classes! She has faithfully pushed through, semester after semester, plugging away with perseverance and teachability. I have had the blessing of being on the front row of watching Angela grow and walk alongside many who are suffering. I have watched her grow in listening and offering Biblically sound advice along the way. I have seen her draw closer to the Lord and watched it overflow into her care. It is an exciting milestone for us in celebrating the work accomplished and all that the Lord has taught us over the years! (Well done, Angela!)
This is all about our desire to offer better care for our church. The elders kindly commissioned her to pursue this training so that we would be better equipped to care for our church. This is an answer to many years of prayer!
In our desire to provide sound Biblical wisdom to all areas of life, we have a Hope page on our website to help direct folks who are wanting specific help and discipleship in areas of their lives.
Life is hard. There is sin within that repeatedly trips us up, there is suffering that comes at us, there is grief, and there are places we find ourselves that feel unbearable. This is how life often is this side of Heaven. We want to provide rich, Biblical care for each person we walk alongside. What encourages me so much is that I see that happening more and more!
To God be the glory!
Held Abundantly By His Grace,
Pastor John
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