Who is a Biblical Counselor?

Biblical counselors are not licensed psychologists, but rather pastoral counselors. They are certified by the National Association of Nouthetic Counselors. (www.NANC.org)

Biblical counselors seek to lovingly share one another’s burdens (Gal 6:1-10), and to proclaim Christ. “We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ” (Col 1:28).

Jay Adams says, “God calls every Christian to counsel some people, somewhere, at some time about something, but He does not call him to counsel every person, under every situation, at all times about everything” (p1, Ready to Restore).

The Bible makes it clear that God’s people are to counsel one another.

What Resources do Biblical Counselors Use?

God’s Word, His Holy Spirit and Prayer are the three greatest resources every Christian has. We teach both students in counseling training and counselees how to apply these wonderful God-given resources as we look at the problems that bring people to the church and to Rod and Staff for help.

Written resources may be used, but only when they are based on the sound principles found in God’s Word.

What is Biblical Counseling?

Biblical counseling is a ministry of trained and certified Christians. It seeks to encourage hurting people with God’s hope, so that they can be reconciled to God and to other people. Rod and Staff Ministries is a Biblical counseling ministry that has been committed to the sufficiency of God’s Word in counseling/discipling people for over ten years. We believe in the sufficiency of Christ and His Word for solving problems in life. The Bible is used both to define the problems and to develop methods for solving them. Every situation is dealt with from a biblical perspective.

Biblical counseling/discipleship is the answer for those who want to learn how to help others and themselves grow in Christ likeness.

What is the Difference Between Biblical Counseling & Secular Counseling?

In the secular world there are 350-400 different types of counseling help available. Dr. Thomas Szasz calls these psychotherapies, “talking cures.”

We do not practice psychotherapy at Rod and Staff. We only use God’s Word- the Bible, prayer and the help of the Holy Spirit to counsel. We work with many disciplines – medicine, law and social helpers in many fields. All of us are committed to counsel and disciple people and to bring glory to God thru what we do (Colossians 3:23).