Editor’s Be aware: This week’s mini-series on the Grace and Reality Weblog gives annual updates from just a few of the key biblical counseling organizations. On this third article, Jeff Christianson offers an replace on the Worldwide Affiliation of Biblical Counselors. In different contributions to the sequence, Jeremy Lelek presents an replace on the Affiliation of Biblical Counselors, Brian Stenson shares concerning the Christian Counseling and Training Basis, and Christine Chappell gives an replace on the Institute for Biblical Counseling and Discipleship.
As a part of the “Biblical Counseling Group Updates” mini-series, we’re honored to share how God is at work via the Worldwide Affiliation of Biblical Counselors (IABC). With gratitude to the BCC for offering this platform, we replicate on God’s faithfulness in 2024 and look forward with anticipation to 2025.
IABC stays steadfast in our mission to equip biblical counselors to multiply their impression for the glory of God. Collectively, we’re a united household of counselors dedicated to the authority of God’s Phrase and the exaltation of Christ. Certainly one of our key focuses is coaching counselors who embody the qualities Prayerful, Trustworthy, Obtainable, and Teachable. These attributes replicate the type of folks Paul inspired Timothy to hunt—trustworthy people who would carry the gospel ahead. Paul wrote, “And the issues that you’ve got heard from me amongst many witnesses, commit these to trustworthy males who will be capable of train others additionally” (2 Tim. 2:2).
A Name to Practice the Subsequent Technology
The necessity for trustworthy biblical counselors has by no means been extra pressing. In at this time’s tradition, secular ideologies saturate each facet of life, and even inside the church, humanistic influences pose important challenges. But, these are additionally days of distinctive alternative for these dedicated to coaching the following era.
At IABC, our mission is to equip counselors who uphold and proclaim the sufficiency of Scripture for all times and godliness. After we converse of the “subsequent era of counselors,” we embody not solely younger folks new to biblical counseling but additionally mature saints who convey knowledge, expertise, and religious depth to this calling.
Paul’s cost to Timothy captures the guts of this work: “And the issues that you’ve got heard from me amongst many witnesses, commit these to trustworthy males who will be capable of train others additionally” (2 Tim. 2:2). This fee spans generations, encompassing trustworthy younger folks, seasoned women and men, and even youngsters who might be discipled to stay in response to God’s fact. Biblical counseling is finally about discipleship—equipping all believers to look after others—rooted within the sufficiency and authority of God’s Phrase.
We urge you to hitch us on this very important mission. Collectively, we will practice a era of counselors dedicated to the authority of Scripture, passing the baton of biblical fact and seeing lives reworked for God’s glory.
Important Qualities of Biblical Counselors
The qualities of being Prayerful, Trustworthy, Obtainable, and Teachable are foundational for each biblical counselor. These attributes replicate a life absolutely surrendered to God and able to serve others via the sufficiency of Scripture. Right here’s what it means to embody these qualities:
Prayerful: Committing All to the Lord
Prayer is foundational to a biblical counselor’s ministry. It demonstrates dependence on God for knowledge, power, and steering. Whether or not in private counseling classes, conferences, or certifications, prayer undergirds all we do at IABC. This yr, we’ve seen God reply prayers via reworked lives and new ministry alternatives.
Key Scripture: “Don’t be troubled about something, however in every part by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made identified to God” (Phil. 4:6).
Trustworthy: Staying True to the Phrase
Faithfulness begins with small acts of obedience, constructing towards better duties. Jesus stated, “He who’s trustworthy in what’s little is trustworthy additionally in a lot” (Luke 16:10).
At IABC, faithfulness to the Phrase of God is non-negotiable. This yr, we reaffirmed our dedication to the sufficiency of Scripture via doctrinal readability and equipping counselors to convey the reality of God’s Phrase to the hurting. Tales from our members reveal how God’s guarantees have healed and restored lives.
Key Scripture: “Allow us to maintain quick the confession of our hope with out wavering, for he who promised is trustworthy” (Heb. 10:23).
Obtainable: A Ministry Able to Serve
Biblical counseling requires availability—a willingness to make time to shadow, study, and serve. Those that prioritize availability develop into efficient counselors.
This yr, IABC expanded its attain via on-line assets, impactful conferences, and newly licensed counselors serving their native church buildings and communities. Trying forward, we goal to make biblical counseling accessible to underserved areas, guaranteeing Christ-centered care reaches all who want it.
Key Scripture: “Subsequently, as now we have alternative, allow us to do good to all folks, particularly to those that belong to the household of believers” (Gal. 6:10).
Teachable: Studying and Rising Collectively
A teachable spirit is crucial for progress. Counselors unwilling to study or immune to steering battle to steer successfully.
At IABC, we foster a tradition of steady studying via workshops, mentorship, and peer help. Humility and openness to correction enable us to serve with excellence, glorifying God in our ministry. This yr, counselors shared how these alternatives have deepened their religious and sensible knowledge.
Key Scripture: “Give instruction to a smart man, and he might be nonetheless wiser; train a righteous man, and he’ll enhance in studying” (Prov. 9:9).
Rooted within the Gospel
On the coronary heart of biblical counseling is the gospel. Paul tells Timothy, “Keep in mind that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the lifeless in response to my gospel” (2 Tim. 2:8). With out being born once more, true transformation is not possible. As counselors, we should guarantee our counselees are rooted within the saving energy of the gospel, which is central to all we do.
Trying Forward to 2025
As we transfer boldly into 2025, we replicate on God’s steadfast faithfulness. With a devoted board of administrators and a rising community of gifted leaders, IABC stays dedicated to coaching and equipping counselors who faithfully serve the church around the globe. Whether or not you’re seasoned or new to biblical counseling, there’s a place for you on this mission.
We shut with gratitude to the Biblical Counseling Coalition for internet hosting this sequence and to all who associate with us in ministry. Allow us to proceed in religion, looking for to glorify God in all we do.
Key Scripture: “Oh give because of the Lord, for he’s good; for his steadfast love endures without end!” (1 Chron. 16:34).
Name to Motion
Are you a brand new biblical counselor? If you need to hitch a cohort or turn out to be skilled and authorized as a biblical counselor, we invite you to study extra concerning the alternatives accessible via the Worldwide Affiliation of Biblical Counselors. Collectively, we will equip you to minister successfully and glorify Christ. Go to IABC.web to get began!
Let’s press on collectively!
