THE DYNAMICS OF PLUMBLINE MINISTRIES
COUNSELING-THEOLOGIAN MODEL

" 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.