We
believe that every individual has needs, that over time, come to be
expressed in a myriad of emotional behaviors and/or dysfunction and which
precludes each person’s need for salvation and sanctification.Further, we believe salvation and
sanctification that truly sets an individual free to unconditionally love
others is found only through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
We
believe that all Biblical principles are revealed through God’s word in
order to bring us to abundant life and to make our joy complete.Wisdom is found in the ability to apply
these guidelines to heart and soul issues when in crisis moments and/or to
the relational needs of those to whom we commit ourselves.
We
recognize that demonic strongholds can be established when individuals
come into agreement with unbiblical thinking, acting, and/or
relating.The concept of demonic
activity can easily be dangerous to a counselee’s mental/emotional state and
must be considered in the context of the most stringent discernment.
We
believe in a holistic concept, asserting that an individual’s physical
condition, spiritual gifting, personality distinctive, and developmental
nurturing contributes to his/her predisposition to relate uniquely to any
given circumstance.However, we
agree with scripture that God has given each individual responsibility for
his/her own choices and actions.
We
allow that chemical imbalances in an individual’s brain can contribute to
defining his/her emotional range and thinking process.Yet the decision to only seek to modify
an individual’s emotions and/or thinking process should never be
considered a solution, rather a closely monitored aid to the overall
healing process toward wholeness.
We
believe that a counselor’s accreditation should come through the scrutiny
of the community of faith.The
counselor’s personal relationship with Jesus, his/her theological
soundness, family relationships, and the confirmation of his/her calling
and gifting by Christian peers should be the primary qualifications for
entering the counseling ministry.Educational credentials, licensing, certifications, familiarity,
and access to other community mental health services are secondary factors
in the accreditation of counselors and theologians.
We
hold that Christian counseling should be offered freely and without any
cost to those willing to receive it.This allows the counselor-theologian to be free to take initiative
in establishing counseling relationships, to remove the possibility of
conflict in financial interest, to increase the counselor’s accountability
to the community of faith (sponsors), and to increase community-care
participation.
We
welcome and embrace all who share in these similar beliefs.