We believe that biblical counseling should be transformative, change-oriented, and grounded in the doctrine of sanctification (2 Corinthians 3:16-18; Philippians 2:12-13). Our growth towards Christlikeness (sanctification) begins at salvation (justification, regeneration, redemption, and reconciliation) and continues until we see Jesus face-to- face (1 John 3:1-3). The goal of all discipleship, to include biblical counseling, is to help Christ followers to spiritually mature. As they grow, they will increasingly reflect Christ (relationally, rationally, volitionally, and emotionally) by enjoying and exalting God and by loving others well and wisely (Galatians 5:22-6:10). Our counseling seeks to embrace the Bible’s teaching regarding the process of progressive sanctification through the renewal of our minds and actions based on Scripture with a motive of love for God and others (Romans 12:1-2). As counselors, we confess that we have not arrived. We comfort and counsel others only as we continue to receive ongoing comfort and counsel from Christ and the Body of Christ (2 Corinthians 1:3-11). We admit that we struggle to apply consistently all that we believe and just like those we counsel, we want to learn and grow in the wisdom and mercies of Christ.

We believe that our abiding in Jesus Christ and our continued growth towards Christlikeness take place within the context of the body of Christ (the Church). Biblical counseling embeds personal change within God’s community—the church—with all of God’s rich resources of corporate and interpersonal means of grace (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). God desires His people to love and serve each other by speaking His truth in love to one another (Ephesians 4:15-16). Within the local church, Christ followers engage in the public and personal ministries of God’s Word. Personal ministries of the Word include ministries such as one- on-one mentoring, small group ministries, and biblical counseling. Public ministries of the Word include preaching, teaching, worship, and observing the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. The primary and fullest expression of counseling ministry is meant to occur within the local church where pastors effectively shepherd souls while equipping and overseeing diverse forms of ministry for every member (Ephesians 4:11- 14). Other like-minded counseling institutions and organizations are beneficial insofar as they serve alongside the church, encourage Christians to counsel biblically, and purpose to impact the world for Christ. We believe the church is the primary context for soul care, and we must recover the church’s responsibility to provide care for sufferers and sinners. Therefore, we encourage and support the indispensable ministry of biblical counseling as an expression of church life.

We believe that both genuine change of heart and transformation of lifestyle depend upon the ministry of the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-16:16; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18). Biblical counselors know that it is impossible to speak wisely and lovingly to bring about true and lasting change apart from the decisive, compassionate, and convicting work of the Spirit in the counselor and the counselee. We acknowledge the Holy Spirit as the One who illuminates our understanding of the Word and empowers its application in everyday life. By the Spirit’s work, God receives glory in all of the good that takes place in people’s lives. Biblical counselors affirm the absolute necessity of the work of the Holy Spirit to guide and empower the counselor, the counselee, and the counseling relationship. Dependent prayer is essential to the work of biblical counseling (Ephesians 6:18-20). Wise counselors humbly request God’s intervention and direction, praise God for His work in people’s lives, and intercede for people that they would experience genuine life change to the glory of God (Philippians 4:6).