The link to their Statement of Faith is this:
http://www.thevillagechurch.net/sermon/statement-of-faith/
What is Biblical Counseling?:
Biblical Counseling is the process in which a Biblical Counselor uses primarily God's Word to minister scripture and speak truth into the life of a counselee who is dealing with any of life's problems, such as depression, anxiety, addiction, marital troubles/div
orce, eating disorders, broken relationships, doubt, crisis, trauma, etc. Biblical Counseling abides by the truth that God’s Word is sufficient to solve any problem we face in life and bring healing to all broken hearts. The Biblical Counselor seeks to learn as much information about the life of the counselee (past and present) in order to obtain a wholistic view of the issues that the counselee is facing. Biblical Counseling is relational, not clinical, and uses the techniques of community, discipleship, and homework to bring help, healing and true heart change into the life of the counselee. Heart, mind, behavior and life change are possible through the process of Biblical
Counseling because both the counselor and the counselee rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to bring about the change. The Biblical Counselor recognizes that he/she is merely an instrument in the hands of the Holy Spirit to bring about change in the counselee. Biblical Counseling recognizes the psychologies of our modern day and appreciates some of the insights gained from studying them, but focuses instead on the life changing power of God's Word and the Holy Spirit. Biblical Counseling also recognizes that we are both physical and spiritual beings and does not seek to ignore the physical aspect of issues, such as depression, etc., and always recommends that a counselee seek medical help for physical problems, but also recognizes that the physical and spiritual aspects of our beings are closely intertwined, so therefore can speak into the life of someone who is experiencing physical problems and is receiving medical attention. What Biblical Counseling is NOT:
1. Simplistic- Biblical counseling is not simplistic, nor does it simply "throw Bible verses" at couselees. Instead, the Biblical Counselor uses passages and verses from the Bible (God's Living and Active Word!) to draw out deep seated issues, sins, and/or problems that are lurking in the heart of the counselee which are causing her life problems, whether behavioral problems, relational problems or mental/emotional problems. The Scriptures are used to "put off" old behavior and/or wrong beliefs and "put on" the new man (behavior and beliefs) that God has called her to. The Scriptures are never meant to be "thrown" in anyone's face, but were given to us so that we can know God, His heart, His mission, His Son Jesus Christ, and the kind of life that He has called us to live as believers. God's Word is not simplistic in any way, but it is deep, theological, wise, wonderful, awe-inspiring, difficult, beautiful... God states that His Word has given us all that we need to face life and live godly! 2 Peter 1:3 says "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence." God's Word has the TRUE answers to life! That's not simplistic in any way! And very exciting! We CAN change. We CAN find healing. We CAN live victoriously and glorify God in the face of any life circumstances. We CAN live a life full of joy regardless of our problems!
2. Psychiatry: Biblical Counseling is not clinical or medical. Biblical Counselors do not (and can not) prescribe medication or give any medical advice whatsoever. Biblical Counselors do not (and can not) diagnose any kind of illness, mental or otherwise. Why Biblical Counseling? There is HOPE for you! God's Word has the answers for you regardless of what you are facing or how you feel. God loves you so much and desires what is best for you! God's Word is alive and active! You can change and your circumstances can change. God tells us to seek Him and His Word for answers, not the philosophies of this world. Colossians 2:8 says, "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ." It can be very tempting to seek out counsel from psychology and psychiatry before going to God's Word, but I encourage you to seek wise counsel from the Scriptures, believe God can and will change you and help you, and trust the process of true Biblical Counseling. Psalm 1:1-3 says “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers." Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation, a Biblical Counseling Organization, explains Biblical Counseling in this way:
"We are Christ-centered. Therefore, we point people to a person, Christ, and not a program. He is wisdom from God, the inexpressible gift who delivers us from our sins and sufferings. He is the faith-nourishing foundation in whom the call to obedience finds its inner principle and power. People need the Savior, not a system of self-salvation." and
"We believe the Scriptures are rich in their understanding of who we are as human beings. Therefore, we use Scripture with a full commitment to its authority and sufficiency, convinced that from beginning to end, it reveals Christ and his powerful redeeming grace addressing the needs and struggles of the human condition." What to Expect
When you agree to commit to the Biblical Counseling process, you have the potential for true heart and life change! There are many tools that the Biblical Counselor uses to encourage and produce change and healing. The first session (60-90min) is typically full of questions, discussion, prayer and "getting to know" each other. Proverbs 18:13 says, "If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame." The goal of the Biblical Counselor in the first session is to get as much information about the issues that the counselee is dealing with by asking open ended questions and listening to the answers, as well as using God's Word to give hope that there are solutions to any problem that the counselee is facing. The following sessions (60min each) will focus more on discussing and applying Scripture and giving counsel, but will also consist of a mixture of questions/answers, listening, and homework assignments. About Tera:
I was born and raised in a Christian home in Leesville, Louisiana and brought up at East Leesville Baptist Church. At the age of nine, after hearing the gospel many times, I came to the realization that I am a sinner in need of a Savior and that the only Savior there is, is Jesus Christ. I put my faith in Him and was baptized thereafter. After high school, I moved to Arlington, TX to attend Arlington Baptist College
where I received my Bachelor of Science in Biblical Counseling Degree. My time at ABC is when the Lord pressed upon my heart a love and desire for Biblical Counseling. The knowledge of Biblical Counseling and God's Word that I gained at ABC is irreplaceable, along with the life-long friendships that God blessed me with during that time. Since my time at ABC, I have continued my education in Biblical Counseling through conferences and reading, and am currently working toward a Certification in Biblical Counseling at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Throughout my life, I have gone through many ups and downs in my life and spiritual walk--times of doubt, sin, selfishness, along with times of joy, repentance, faith and courage. Every step along the way, God has been faithful to call me to repentance, restore the joy of my salvation, pick me up, walk beside me, teach me, admonish me, encourage me and use me. The life lessons that He has taught me along the way are completely priceless and I truly believe that each hardship, whether circumstantial or due to my own sin, has been used to strengthen me, mold me, and shape me into a woman of God and Biblical Counselor. Many of the trials that I have undergone have given me a strong heart for hurting women and have given me the blessing of being able to relate. Just like every other believer, I still struggle each day with sin, but through the power of the Holy Spirit and God's Word, I am constantly being sanctified and changed into the image of Christ, which is a life-long process!
