In the words of Bob Hoekstra, founder and director of Living In Christ Ministries and the author of How to Counsel God's Way: "In the family of man, man counsels man. In the family of God, God counsels man."

At Calvary Chapel Gwinnett, we're committed to providing a biblical understanding of issues through the church counseling ministry based only on Biblical principles, and not secular methods. In other words, we believe that a biblical understanding of all of life's challenges can be found in the Word of God and through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Therefore, regardless of whether you need church counseling with issues related to your marriage, family or yourself, we offer private church counseling ministry sessions that consist of focusing on understanding god through His Word and prayer.

For more specific issues, we also offer separate classes with Bible-based small group study.

Why Biblical Counseling?

To properly receive church counseling God?s way, we need to have a biblical understanding of counseling. We often mistakenly think church counseling is receiving someone's best advice concerning felt needs or desired goals or necessary changes. Such views of counseling typically deteriorate into human wisdom in an attempt to solve problems, reduce stress, remove perplexities, or develop a few more coping techniques. Biblical counseling, however, is on a completely different level. Biblical counseling involves the Lord as Counselor, pointing out His path of discipleship and unfolding His process of understanding God.

The goal of our church counseling ministry is eternal life-changes, not a temporary "fix" that seems to work only for a season.

What Type of Biblical Counseling Is Available?

Because the Bible is God-breathed and contains the actual words and heart of our Creator, we can confidently go to it to receive wisdom and knowledge concerning all of life's issues, including but not limited to:

• Premarital and Marriage Counseling
• Family Counseling
  
• Youth Counseling
  
• Life problem-solving depression, addictions, bereavement, pregnancy, purity/abstinence, post abortion, post-divorce, abuse, financial, etc.
• Walk-in Crisis

What Should I Expect from the Church Counseling Ministry?

With the exception of the first visit, anyone seeking follow-up lay counseling will be asked to complete a Church Counseling Ministry Intake & Waiver Form. After review, a lay counseling or Pastoral Care Counselor is assigned to you and a follow-up appointment for both parties will be established. Meeting agendas will typically follow this format:

1. Open with prayer.
2. The counselee verbalizes the problem, need concern, etc.
3. Through a process of dialogue, "major" issues are brought forth.
4. The Pastoral Care Counselor begins to teach, correct, and train in righteousness as the Holy Spirit convicts the heart of the counseled.
5. Assign reading homework (if applicable).
6. Close in prayer.

About Our Church Counseling Ministry Staff

The Calvary Chapel Church Counseling Ministry staff consists of both lay counseling and pastoral care counselors who have been trained and approved for biblical counseling.

In addition to having successfully completed all three levels of Calvary Chapel's Equipped to Serve Ministry, most have successfully completed a 14-week course entitled "Biblical Counseling" taught by John Chinelly of Calvary Chapel Bible Institute, Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

Additional training is required for small group study facilitators by such organizations as Care-net, etc.

Our lay counseling and pastoral care counselors offer Biblical counseling only. They are not licensed psychotherapists. Those having significant medical questions should seek advice from a competent independent professional. Our lay counseling and pastoral care counselors will cooperate with such advisers and help you to consider the counsel in light of scriptural principles.

Have Questions?

If you have questions about our Church Counseling Ministry or would like to schedule biblical counseling, please call us at (770) 932-5531, or contact us online.