Statement of Practice
Biblical counseling is based on the inerrancy, authority, and sufficiency of the Word of God.
To safeguard against misguided and unbalanced practices of counseling which may be labeled “biblical,” some standards of practice need to be established.
The following criteria are chosen as markers for distinction as biblical counselors, and to as a means of providing some measure of trustworthiness of “best practices” – both with our counseling team at Truth in Love Biblical Counseling Center and within the broader network of the International Association of Biblical Counselors.
Accordingly, Truth in Love Biblical Counselors are required to affirm and agree to the following:
Biblical counseling is based on the inerrancy, authority, and sufficiency of the Word of God.
To safeguard against misguided and unbalanced practices of counseling which may be labeled “biblical,” some standards of practice need to be established.
The following criteria are chosen as markers for distinction as biblical counselors, and to as a means of providing some measure of trustworthiness of “best practices” – both with our counseling team at Truth in Love Biblical Counseling Center and within the broader network of the International Association of Biblical Counselors.
Accordingly, Truth in Love Biblical Counselors are required to affirm and agree to the following:
I affirm and agree that the Scriptures are fully sufficient, through the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, to address all of humanity's needs in all matters of life and faith (2 Peter 1:3-4; 2 Timothy 3:16). Therefore, my counseling methods, practices, and techniques will be based upon the clear biblical principles and categories, and not upon theories of personality, model of man, psychotherapies, or philosophies derived from secular sources (1 Corinthians 3:19).
I affirm and agree that all mankind is in need of personal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. If those I counsel do not possess this salvation, a primary objective of my counseling must be clear, Spirit-led communication of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord (Romans 3:23, 6:23; Matthew 28:19-20).
I affirm and agree to counsel and teach the Supremacy of Jesus Christ in order to lead counselees away from a humanistic focus on self and to a proper focus on Him (Luke 9:23; Romans 12:1-2).
I affirm and agree to honor the sanctity of life, marriage, and family as articulated throughout the Scriptures, and to do my utmost when counseling to reinforce these truths (Psalm 139:13-14; Genesis 2:24; Malachi 2:16; Proverbs 23:25; Colossians 3:20).
I affirm and agree that, as God empowers me, I will live my life and conduct my relationships in godliness and holiness before Him, with the goal of living out the truths that I am teaching (Philippians 2:12-13).
I affirm and agree with the spiritual authority delegated to the Church by Christ, who is its Head. I will evidence this by my involvement in a local church fellowship and by teaching those whom I counsel to involve themselves in a local church fellowship as well, thus working in concert with the Church rather than in competition against it (Hebrews 10:25).
I affirm and agree that all mankind is in need of personal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. If those I counsel do not possess this salvation, a primary objective of my counseling must be clear, Spirit-led communication of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord (Romans 3:23, 6:23; Matthew 28:19-20).
I affirm and agree to counsel and teach the Supremacy of Jesus Christ in order to lead counselees away from a humanistic focus on self and to a proper focus on Him (Luke 9:23; Romans 12:1-2).
I affirm and agree to honor the sanctity of life, marriage, and family as articulated throughout the Scriptures, and to do my utmost when counseling to reinforce these truths (Psalm 139:13-14; Genesis 2:24; Malachi 2:16; Proverbs 23:25; Colossians 3:20).
I affirm and agree that, as God empowers me, I will live my life and conduct my relationships in godliness and holiness before Him, with the goal of living out the truths that I am teaching (Philippians 2:12-13).
I affirm and agree with the spiritual authority delegated to the Church by Christ, who is its Head. I will evidence this by my involvement in a local church fellowship and by teaching those whom I counsel to involve themselves in a local church fellowship as well, thus working in concert with the Church rather than in competition against it (Hebrews 10:25).
