Frequently Asked Questions
about Biblical Counseling Training

1. What are the fees for Rod & Staff"s training classes?

Class Tuition

Single-$275

Single-$320 (after registration deadline)

Married Couple-$375

Married Couple-$420 (after registration deadline)

2. How do I qualify for a refund?

A paying student with perfect attendance will receive a $50 refund from Rod & Staff.

3. How do I register for a class?

By contacting Lorra Ensign at 317-859-6941 ext. 258 or registering online

4. How late can I register for a class?

Levels 1 & 2 - you may register the day it begins. Levels 3-5 must be preregistered - due to prerequisite requirements for these levels.

5. Where can I find a class schedule?

Class schedules are available online or by calling Lorra Ensign at 317-859-6941 ext. 258

6. What is the class syllabus?

The class syllabus provides the class dates and corresponding topics/teachers, along with facility and room locations.

7. Who teaches the classes?

The qualified faculty are trained biblical counselors from various vocations including pastors, teachers, lawyers, doctors, engineers. Many are certified with the National Association of Nouthetic Counseling.

8. What does observing in Level 3 require?

Four hours observing actual counseling sessions. These counseling sessions are available by the following options: 1. pre-arranged appointments at Rod & Staff; 2. DVDs produced by Faith Baptist Training; 3. pastor of your church if they are a NANC certified biblical counselor.

9. What does assisting in Level 4 consist of?

Four hours assisting in actual counseling sessions. The student will assist in the planning and conducting of each counseling session, under a NANC Certified Biblical counselor"s guidance.

10. What does lead counseling in Level 5 consist of?

Four hours leading counseling sessions. The student will plan and conduct each counseling session, with an assigned NANC certified counselor present to assist and guide as needed.

11. What if I have already taken 30 hours of "NANC on the Road"?

Documentation from the NANC office must be given when and where the 30 hours of "NANC on the Road" were completed. In addition, you will need a letter of recommendation from your pastor. You are also required to have read the following books:

Competent to Counsel ~ Jay Adams

Christian Counselors Manual ~ Jay Adams

Theology of Christian Counseling ~ Jay Adams

Ready to Restore ~ Jay Adams

Counseling-How to Counsel Biblically ~ John MacArthur

13. How can I get a Biblical counseling center in my own church?

If your pastor is interested in incorporating Biblical counseling, please have your pastor contact Rod & Staff Ministries. We have a special Pastor"s Packet which will be mailed to your pastor

14. What if my church already has Christian counseling in their church - is there a difference between Christian counseling and Biblical counseling?

At one time, there was no difference. However, due to a generation that has learned integration (that is a little Bible plus a whole lot of man’s ideas) some Christian counselors now take what they have learned from their University training in psychology and call it “Christian Counseling.” At Rod & Staff Ministries we use only the Bible to direct people’s lives, giving them Biblical counseling to help them make choices that will honor God. The question doesn’t mean that we do not recognize other professional fields of study but we are “purest” in using God’s Word in our Biblical counseling environment. The answer to this question is at the heart of what really matters most. “Is the Bible sufficient for dealing with our deep seated emotional and psychological problems?” 2 Peter 1:3 says, “Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” This verse tells us that the Bible has the answers and Christ offers those answers to us. 2 Timothy 3:16,17 says, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” In this passage, Paul urges Timothy, a young pastor, to focus on God’s Word, the Scriptures. God’s Word has the ability to bring salvation (2 Tim 3:15) and to make one wise about all of life. Since these passages are true, God’s Word is sufficient for life and godliness, and for equipping us for every good work. Surely, this includes our deep seated emotional and psychological struggles – otherwise, we are not “equipped for every good work.” The wholeness we all seek is found in Christ and the Word of God. The person who is emotionally balanced and psychologically balanced is a person living by God’s Word and manifesting the fruit of the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22, 23