The Bible teaches that believers have the responsibility to admonish the unruly, encourage those who are struggling, help the weak, and be patient with everyone (1 Thess. 5:14). We find, however, that many Christians, even some pastors, are intimidated by the implications of that passage to those whose marriages are declining, to those who are struggling with anger, to those who are depressed, and those with other problems. 

We believe that God has provided the hope and answers we need in his sufficient Word.

Therefore, we have designed a counseling training program, based on over 40 years of counseling experience, that will help you help those who are struggling – whatever their particular concerns might be.

• Summer 2017: June 5 – August 21 (no class on 7/3)
• Fall 2017: September 11 – November 27 (no class on 10/2)

Eleven Mondays to a Changed Ministry

Our class meets for eleven weeks, but holidays are observed. Therefore, the length of the class will range from 11 to 13 weeks depending on the holiday schedule. The training course begins at 9:00 am and concludes by 9:00 pm.

This is a certified training Center for those wishing to pursue ACBC Certification. For more information on ACBC Certification, please visit www.biblicalcounseling.com.

Lectures

From 9:00 am until 1:00 pm the counseling staff presents lectures on the most common counseling problems. Topics include:

• Understanding the reasons for biblical counseling and the basic methods for doing biblical counseling. Included are lectures on why do counseling, the goal of counseling, what makes biblical counseling biblical, a comparison of counseling methods, and the six key elements in the counseling process.
• Ministry to people involves both helping them overcome their sin and helping them grow to be more like Christ through the trials and suffering that they face. Thus, we have sessions devoted to help you understand how to minister to people that struggle.    
• It is also important to recognize that genuine change is change that occurs on the inside. Thus, we spend a lot of time talking about the heart not simply the behavior that Scripture would command.
• We will discuss the most common counseling subject: marriage and the family. We will provide specific teaching on communication, husband/wife roles, parent/child relationships, priorities, and sex.
• Introduction to counseling and common medical issues. Included in this section is a discussion of illness, counseling those with an illness, and how to counsel those on psychotropic drugs.
• Helping people understand and process their emotions properly is another significant counseling subject. So we will discuss how to help people who are struggling with worry, guilt, sinful anger, fear of man, and depression.
• The implications of this course to pastoral ministry are far reaching including evangelism, helping your people grow, equipping them for ministry, and pastoral responsibilities.
• Discussion of written case studies with our staff.

Observation

Our staff counsels from 1:30 pm until 9:00 pm in five different counseling hours. You will have an opportunity to observe about 20 hours of actual counseling sessions during the course.

Those who have taken the course before consider the observation time as a crucial part of helping them prepare for their own ministries.

The current cost of the training course is $345 which includes a $50 refundable deposit. This fee includes over 40 hours of training from 10 speakers. Each attendee will receive the course notes, syllabus and dinner on the first day of class. 

The required books and pamphlets should be purchased prior to the first day of class. 

Please Note: The cost of the training course is subject to change. The $50 deposit is only refundable if one attends all lectures and observations.