Soul Care Culture: Developing a Church-Wide Culture of Biblical Soul Care

Share your thoughtsWhat does it look like after someone has gone through formal counseling? We talk a lot about formal counseling at BCM, but informal counseling is an indispensable element of the local church's design that offers a huge impact on a believer’s life and growth.In this episode, Kari fills in for Mike as the host and sits down with two friends and fellow BCM teammates, Christi Thach, our process manager, and Kent Kloter, our biblical SoulCare™ coach. They discuss informal counseling and offer a biblical perspective on care and friendship in the church body.In this conversation, Kent and Christi speak from years of personal sanctification and counseling experience and address both the pastor and the lay church member. They clarify the concept of counseling, encourage gospel-centered conversations in Biblical friendships, offer practical examples of counsel through friendship, and emphasize the impact this informal counseling has on the local church as part of God’s good design.The team at BCM prays that through each conversation God will be glorified, the church of believers will be strengthened, and the pastor will be encouraged and a little more equipped to counsel their flock with conviction and hope.Listen in!Resources:Episode 52: What’s It Like In The Counseling Room? (with Christi Thach & Kent Kloter) | Biblical Counseling MinistriesRead our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsMany pastors and elders experience discouragement in counseling and even doubt they have the time, training, and resources to do it well. People should be able to go to their church for help when they are faced with life problems.Responding to the need for encouragement and training, BCM sponsored a spring conference for the Central IL Church Partner Network to equip church leaders, biblical counselors, and other believers in their application of the living Word in the regular and intensive discipleship of fellow Christians. Springfield Center of Biblical Counseling came to Eureka, IL to teach the foundations training for ACBC certification over the course of three weekends this spring. Attendees learned the basics of biblical counseling, the purpose of biblical counseling, and practical application of God’s word for personal growth as well as for counseling and discipling others.In this conversation, Kari Gross sits down with a panel of attendees to reflect on BCM's 2026 Foundations Conference. You will hear from guests Rosie Pearson, Michael Blake, Abby Schmidgall, Sailor Schmidgall, Nicole Martinez, Ian Briggs, Janelle Bender, Dan Bender, Alex Beale, Dave Webster, Joshua Sanford, and Jeffrey Clarkson.You will hear what brought each attendee to the conference, how God has used Biblical Counseling in his or her life and ministry, key takeaways from the conference, and much more!The team at BCM prays that through each conversation God will be glorified, the church of believers will be strengthened, and the pastor will be encouraged and a little more equipped to counsel their flock with conviction and hope. Listen in! Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsEver since Genesis 3, we have encountered a world in which there is conflict. I pray that you are able to look at conflict not as an obstacle, but as an opportunity for God's grace to be displayed when his children reconcile through the power of the cross.In this conversation, I am joined by Josh Gerber who is a pastor at Newcastle Bible Church as well as part of the BCM team that handles mediation for the churches within the Central Illinois Partner Network. From his experience in the ministry of mediation, Josh shares how to help multiple individuals pursue forgiveness, confession, and work together toward godliness. You will hear about the different stages of mediation, how to evaluate which counseling cases are a good fit for mediation, how to identify when church discipline is the appropriate version of mediation to bring about repentance and reconciliation, and much more!The team at BCM prays that through each conversation God will be glorified, the church of believers will be strengthened, and the pastor will be encouraged and a little more equipped to counsel their flock with conviction and hope. Listen in!Resources:The Slippery Slope of Conflict | Ken Sande[book] Peacemaking for Families (Focus on the Family): Sande, Ken, Raabe, TomReconciliation Counseling - Association of Certified Biblical Counselors Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsThere is danger in the calling of being a pastor. The demands and privileges of being a faithful shepherd to your flock will often weigh heavy on your soul. Praise God that His power is made perfect in our weakness. Praise God that He chooses to display His grace so gloriously through meager men like us. Praise God for His design: all the weight of care and counsel does not have to be on your shoulders but is beautifully shared by the body. At BCM, we partner with churches like yours to strengthen discipleship through building a culture of biblical care and counsel. Today on the podcast I am joined by Ben Busenitz, Biblical Counseling Director at Liberty Bible Church in Eureka, IL. Ben is married to Jana and they have six kids. In this conversation, Ben shares about his journey into biblical counseling and how he got connected with BCM. You will hear about some of the weight that a pastor bears and how to think about that burden biblically, what it looks like to join BCM’s Church Partnership Network and how that can serve your church. We pray that through each conversation God will be glorified, the church of believers will be strengthened, and the pastor will be encouraged and a little more equipped to counsel their flock with conviction and hope. Listen in!Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsMost of the churches in the U.S. consist of less than 100 members. What does it look like for a church of this size to thrive in Biblical discipleship? How do the pastors and elders of these churches respond to the burdens of their flock when they already feel discouraged and unequipped themselves? BCM exists to come alongside these pastors and believers to help strengthen the church through Biblical care and counsel. On our most recent episode of the Soul Care Culture podcast, I am joined by Shane House, senior pastor of WhiteRose Fellowship in Bellevue, IL. In this conversation, you will hear how God brought Shane to pastor a small church in Illinois and how Shane eventually got connected with BCM.Familiar with both the joys and challenges of pastoring a small church, Shane discusses the importance of relying on the support God has built into your life, trusting the faithfulness of your Savior, and humbling yourself before God and before your congregants to confess and embrace your constant dependence on the Lord.We pray that through this episode you will be encouraged and a little more equipped to counsel your flock with conviction and hope.Listen in!Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsGod loves His church. The church is God's good design for where troubled believers can go to find lasting change. However, many people have stopped going to the church for help for their sin and suffering.Today I am joined by a table of guests: Rodney and Jenna Bahler, Josh and Bree Himan, and Monica Scheuer. They are all passionate about the life-on-life discipleship of fellow believers in the context of the local church. We discuss the beautiful testimony of a church fulfilling the role God designed it for in the life of believers. From advocate friends in a small group to church leaders and elders, from casual conversations with coworkers to the commitment of formal counseling, our guests- and many other church members represented in the conversation- each play a pivotal part in ministering to counselees. They share a testimony of how God worked through the local church for His own glory and for the sanctification of His children.We pray that through this episode you will be encouraged and a little more equipped to counsel your flock with confidence, conviction, and hope.Listen in!Show notes: https://bcmnational.org/episode-70-a-testimony-of-church-discipleship-with-rodney-and-jenna-bahler-josh-and-bree-himan-and-monica-scheuerEpisode 69: What is the Apprenticeship Program? (with Chad Nightingale and Monica Scheuer) https://bcmnational.org/episode-69-what-is-the-apprenticeship-program-with-chad-nightingale-and-monica-scheuer/The Biblical Discipleship ContinuumRead our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsOver the last 10 years, I have witnessed that a rising number of pastors are overwhelmed by the demands of soul care ministry and people's problems are getting seemingly more serious. The church leaders are not confident to deliver biblical counsel to their flock. As a result, many believers seek help outside the church. We believe the church is the best place and God’s design for believers to find healing and transformation for the burdens of their soul.Because all the counseling shouldn't be on the pastor's shoulders, Biblical Counseling Ministries partners with churches to strengthen discipleship through biblical care and counsel. One of the ways that BCM supports the work of the local church is through the Apprenticeship Program which comes alongside and assists both the individuals who are pursuing ACBC counseling and the churches where they belong. In this episode, Monica Scheuer and Chad Nightingale share their first-hand experience with BCM's Apprenticeship Program. They discuss some of the unique elements of the Apprenticeship Program and how they have seen God use this resource to equip believers and churches to minister to counselees.Listen in!Show notesEpisode 37: The Value of the Apprenticeship Program (with Chad Nightingale) | Biblical Counseling MinistriesEpisode 42: Returning SoulCare™ to the Local Church (with Chad Nightingale) | Biblical Counseling MinistriesEpisode 63: A SoulCare Framework (with Chad Nightingale & Kent Kloter) | Biblical Counseling MinistriesReach out for more information about the Apprenticeship ProgramRead our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsIf a woman confided in you about her struggle with life-dominating sins, would you know how to respond? Would you be tempted to direct her to a counselor outside of the church or would you be confident in your church’s ability to navigate the storm with her?Sarah Chadbourn joins us to discuss how God has shaped her passion for women caught in life-dominating sin. Sarah’s husband, Jonathan Chadbourn, is the senior pastor at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Groveland, Illinois. Jonathan and Sarah have been biblical counseling for many years.Sarah shares her testimony from a lifelong addiction to control that affected every area of her life to experiencing intentional discipleship and walking through a two-year residential program. Sarah unpacks practical ways a church can reflect Christ and become a place where the women in the flock confidently confess even the darkest struggles of their soul and find lasting change.Listen in!Show notes(Book) A Gospel Primer | Milton VincentCornerstone Baptist Church Groveland, ILRead our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsWhen life falls apart, where do believers run? For many, the church is their last resort. The culture has offered rival explanations for our biggest problems, deepest needs, and the path forward to change. Overwhelmed pastors have accepted the counterfeits, hoping that licensed therapists will provide a balm for their hurting flock. What if we were never meant to outsource soul care? What if biblical care and counsel was intended to be so much more than a counseling program at church?As pastors and church leaders, we need to take responsibility for the ways we have given in to the cultural definitions and return to the unchanging Word of the Maker, Redeemer, and Wonderful Counselor. The Bible addresses all the issues we experience in life from the primary perspective of how we live in relation to God. The church is not only the best institution equipped to bear the burdens of soul care, but the only one to which God has given the responsibility to minister to the problems in a believer’s life. In this episode, Dr. Dale Johnson unpacks the call of Biblical discipleship and what this looks like practically for both the shepherds and the flock of the local church.Listen in!Show notesResources:Truth and Love with ACBC(BOOK) Legal Issues in Biblical Counseling | Dr. Dale Johnson & Ed Wilde(BOOK) The Professionalization of Pastoral Care | Dr. Dale Johnson(BOOK) The Church as a Culture of Care, Finding Hope in Biblical Community | Dr. Dale Johnson(BOOK) <a href='https://www.christianbook.com/christian-counselors-manual-practice-nouthetic-counseling/jay-adams/9780310871736/pd/6555EB?utm_source=bing&kw=%2Fpd%2F&mt=b&dv=c&event=PPCSRC&p=1215904&cb_src=bing&cb_typ=search&cb_cmp=313107482&cb_adg=1241348712202415&cb_kyw=%2Fpd%2F&msclkid=4c3e362abd6b163ae2

Share your thoughtsWhy is it so difficult to go to your church with the struggles of your soul? What does it look like practically for a believer to seek help from their church? How does a pastor respond? Tragically, we have seen a trend that many Christians aren’t even going to the church or God’s word for help. When they do, many pastors feel discouraged and unequipped to respond and they send their flock to licensed therapists hoping that they will offer something to heal the hurting soul. We wanted to give you a tangible example of what it looks like for a believer to seek help from their pastor in a church that has a strong culture of biblical care and counsel. In this episode, we share a real testimony of the mighty act of God through the power of the Holy Spirit through the wisdom of the Word using a competent, confident counselor. Pastor Jarrod Bartholomew, the lead pastor of Pontiac Bible Church, and Renee Leger, the children’s ministry director, share a story of God’s power and God’s grace. In this episode, we discuss the hardship of sin, the beauty and freedom of confession, the joyous restoration that can happen in a strong church body of believers who are living in God’s grace, and more!Listen in!Resources:Check out Pontiac Bible ChurchShow notesRead our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsHow has our culture been influenced by psychology? How has that affected the church? You cannot go very many places in our world and not encounter the definitions and categories that have been handed to us by the psychology establishment. Many Christians- including ourselves as pastors and church leaders- have allowed our anthropology and epistemology to be informed by a broader unbelieving culture: one that has a rival explanation for truth, man, sin, our problems, and the solution. This has had subtle to striking ramifications in how Christians conduct both their formal practice and informal daily discipleship of those around them.William (Bill) Smith joins Kari Gross to discuss how psychology has infiltrated the way Christian people think about themselves and their problems. Bill has pastored several churches, been a faculty member of the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation, and taught practical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary. He is the author of Parenting with Words of Grace, along with numerous other books and booklets. He and his wife, Sally, have three adult children who are married.In this episode, Bill warns about how science, psychology, and culture have impacted the church and offers gospel hope for living in a sinful world with broken bodies, minds, and relationships.Listen in!Resources:Follow William on his Facebook or check out his numerous books on AmazonListen to our previous episode with Bill: Episode 40: Guiding the Culture of Your Church (with William Smith)Show notesA note to listeners:Bill made a comment at the end of the episode and we recognize it may have confused some listeners. We want to clarify what Bill intended to communicate. He said “Kari, you and I are looking at 70 billion years of life, we have hardly begun to explore who we are and what all God has envisioned for us.” Bill meant this in a future tense as a way of saying, “We are looking at eternal life.” A concrete number often helps people grasp and also be appropriately struck with bewilderment at what eternity means. There is joy we eagerly anticipate in that reality for those in Christ: we are going to have so much time to keep learning and developing and exploring all that God has made, including what He has built into each of us.Read our ArticlesFollow

Share your thoughtsIf you look out at your church, how many of your flock still have a regular therapist outside of your biblical counseling? Are there those who are addressing their problems through medication? Or do they attribute their issues to a diagnosis of some kind?There’s a common issue we are seeing among churches, and especially in the younger generations, that they would rather turn to earthly wisdom than to Scripture to address the problem areas in their life.Thankfully, my guest has over 50 years of experience in this space and firmly believes that we need to return back to the basics in order to solve it. Dr. Jim Berg is an author, speaker, professor of biblical counseling at BJU Seminary, and founder of Freedom That Lasts, a ministry devoted to equipping churches to counsel those who are hurting or addicted. His certifications include a Master of Arts in Theology, a Doctor of Ministry in Biblical Counseling, and ACBC certification.In this episode, Jim shares about the dangers of putting our faith in a therapeutic culture, why the answer lies in returning to the basics of our belief, what our souls are toiling over, and much more.Listen in!Show Notes: bcmnational.org/jim-berg-64Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsDear pastor, if you’ve been listening to our podcast for a while, you’ve heard us refer to our Customized Blueprint Solution to assist churches in creating a culture of SoulCare. However, you may be wondering what exactly that means or how it looks practically.To help give you a snapshot of how it works, I’ve asked my teammates, Chad Nightingale and Kent Kloter, to join me for a conversation about a church where we implemented our framework for creating a culture of SoulCare.In this episode, we take a look at how Lexington Community Church implemented our framework, the importance of hands-on experience, ways that this framework may benefit your church, and much more.Listen in!Show Notes: bcmnational.org/nightingale-kloter-63Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsWhen I think of leaders, especially leaders in ministry, not only do they have all the pressures and stressors of directing a team, but they also have to grapple with spiritual warfare, the responsibility of guiding their flock, nourishing marriages and families, and so much more.So today, dear pastor, we are discussing how to thrive in the midst of ministry. This conversation comes to you live from the ACBC Conference, where I was joined by Dr. Garrett Higbee. You may recognize his name from a past episode where we explored how to tend to the souls of pastors.In today’s conversation, we’ll start out with some tips for how leaders can thrive, and then in the second half of the conversation, we’ll shift to explore the topic of Garrett’s upcoming book.In this episode, Garrett shares some of the lessons he would hope all leaders would benefit from, ways to remain firmly planted in your ministry and home life, and much more.Listen in!Show Notes: bcmnational.org/garrett-higbee-62Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsWe are talking to small group leaders for today’s conversation. Have you ever wondered what your role is as a small group leader? Is it to lead discussions about the latest sermons or to be hospitable and make sure there are good snacks? And just how does small groups intersect with SoulCare™?To help guide us through this discussion and provide wisdom is my guest, Scott Mehl. Scott is the Managing Director of the Institute for Biblical Counseling and Discipleship (IBCD) and a Fellow with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC). He is also the Senior Pastor of Cornerstone church in West Los Angeles. Scott is also the author of two books: Loving Messy People and Redeeming Sex in Marriage.In this episode, Scott shares practical ways to show love for people, why many small group leaders experience a lack of confidence, how Scripture contains wisdom for whatever issues we may be facing, and much more.Listen in!Show Notes: bcmnational.org/scott-mehl-61Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsWe are bringing you this conversation live from the ACBC Conference in Fort Worth, Texas. Each conference has been so encouraging and insightful; however, there is one thing I’ve noticed – not as many pastors are involved enough in their counseling ministry to attend a biblical counseling conference.Joining me to help answer the question, “Why aren’t more pastors coming or taking an active role in biblical counseling?” is a fellow pastor from Illinois. Jonathan Chadbourn is the teaching pastor at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Morton, Illinois. He carries a great burden to see people conformed to Christ through teaching, discipleship, and biblical counseling.In this episode, Jonathan shares the different reasons some pastors may not invest in an ACBC Conference, the personal benefits of a training like an ACBC Conference, a challenge to all pastors who long to shepherd their flock well, and much more.Listen in!Show Notes: bcmnational.org/jonathan-chadbourn-60Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsWhat do we do when dark events sweep across our nation and affect us close to home? How do we respond as pastors and leaders when current events affect our congregation so deeply? Often, when events like the assassination of Charlie Kirk occur, it can leave our sheep feeling confused, hurt, and looking for direction on how they should respond.Helping me wade into this discussion on how we should react when we come face-to-face with darkness is my friend, Andrew Gerber. Andrew is an Associate Pastor who oversees Family Ministry and Discipleship at Lexington Community Church in Central Illinois. In this episode, Andrew shares what a biblical response to tragedy looks like, how the church can offer care to its sheep, why horrible things occur in this world, and much more.Show Notes: bcmnational.org/andrew-gerber-59Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsThe biblical counseling movement is ever-growing, and yet, not everyone who goes by the title of “biblical counselor” adheres to the same ideals and beliefs. There are those who claim to be biblical counselors but still turn to outside sources, additional therapies, and specialized training they feel is necessary to be able to adequately address what may come into the counseling room.However, is this man-centered wisdom really necessary to be able to counsel well? Should those who rely on it have the title of a biblical counselor? We are addressing these questions and more. Helping me do this is my guest, Joshua Greiner.Joshua is shepherding as the Lead Pastor at Berean Baptist Church in Michigan, and is an ACBC-Certified Counselor and a Fellow. He has been a voice in the biblical counseling movement for a long time.In this episode, Joshua shares a definition of a true biblical counselor, what role other therapies or specializations have in biblical counseling, questions you should be asking of your local biblical counselors, and much more.Listen in!Show Notes: bcmnational.org/joshua-greiner-58Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsIn the counseling room, you will come across a wide range of issues and problems that people are seeking counseling for. There are few that are more daunting than issues of addiction, whether that be drugs, alcohol, pornography, or something else.Chad Nightingale is filling in as the guest host for this episode. Joining him for this vital conversation are two men, Mark Shaw and Andrew Held, who live in the thick of addiction counseling every day with teens and adults going through residential treatment.In this episode, you’ll hear the ways biblical soul care varies from traditional addiction treatments, ways to discern issues of the heart, how addiction can impact anyone, and much more.Listen in!Show Notes: bcmnational.org/shaw-held-57Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsIt’s Kari Gross again, and I’m back with Henry Nightingale and Christian Martin, the co-hosts of a Christian gaming podcast called Courage Wisdom Power. If you missed our first episode with them, you’ll want to be sure to go back and listen to it here.Many pastors and elders can experience discouragement and doubt in their counseling, especially when they come face-to-face with challenging topics that cut to the foundation of faith. For this conversation, Christian is sharing one scenario counselors may face from his personal experience of deconstructing his faith and how it was restored.In this episode, Christian and Henry discuss their personal experience with deconstruction, what it means when someone deconstructs their faith, ways we can minister to those who are deconstructing, and much more.Listen in!Show Notes: bcmnational.org/nightingale-martin-56Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsMany pastors and elders experience discouragement in counseling and even doubt they have the time, training, and resources to do it well. We firmly believe that people should be able to go to their church for help when they are faced with life problems.However, when it comes to the youth of our church or even the teens in our own household, it can be challenging to instill a strong faith that will withstand the opposing views they will encounter.For this conversation, I am joined by a couple of guests to help us understand more about teens, faith, and video games. Henry Nightingale and Christian Martin are the co-hosts of a Christian gaming podcast called Courage Wisdom Power. Through this podcast, they encourage listeners to consider how they consume and play video games from a biblical worldview.In this episode, you’ll hear how parents and pastors can help teens grow in their faith, some of the ways we can engage secular culture, the importance of integrating youth into the church community, and much more.Listen in!Show Notes: bcmnational.org/nightingale-martin-55Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsWhere do you send your sheep to get outside help? Who can be trusted? It’s normal to feel nervous and wonder if the advice they receive will be biblically sound. In a past episode, we shared some behind-the-scenes of what intensive counseling was like from the perspective of the counselees and their advocate couple. Today, we are going to show you what it’s like from the counselor’s perspective.I have the privilege of welcoming Mark Schuitema. Mark is the Executive Director of Faithful Shepherds, which specializes in providing coaching, counseling, and care for the people who are pouring their lives out in the service of others. He is also a counselor at Twelve Stones, a non-profit Biblical Counseling Ministry.In this episode, we discuss what happens in intensive counseling, the value of intensive counseling alongside your church's biblical counseling ministry, some of the characteristics of a biblically based program, and much more.Show Notes: bcmnational.org/mark-schuitema-54Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsDoes a thriving biblical counseling ministry really need to be championed by the lead pastor? What if they are too busy or have too much on their plate already? These are just some of the questions we are going to be tackling in this conversation.You might recognize the name of my guest for this conversation, as he’s been around the biblical counseling movement for a long time. Brad Bigney is a speaker, author, leader in the biblical counseling movement, and serves as the Lead Pastor at Grace Fellowship Church in Kentucky.In this episode, you’ll hear some of the best practices for establishing a biblical counseling ministry, how counseling will positively impact your preaching, the importance of getting buy-in from the entire leadership team, and much more.Show Notes: bcmnational.org/brad-bigney-53Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsKari Gross is filling in as the host for this episode, where we are giving you a peek inside the counseling room. A few of our teammates have joined us for this conversation and have graciously agreed to give a glimpse into their counseling relationship. Christi Thach, our process manager, and Kent Kloter, our biblical SoulCare™ coach, also have a counselee and counselor relationship.Christi and Kent give us a glance into their relationship throughout the years and how utilizing biblical SoulCare™ can lead a person to a place of empowerment and hope. While every counseling relationship will vary, this look at what counseling can look like should provide valuable insight for you and your members providing SoulCare™.In this episode, you’ll learn a bit more about the counseling relationship, the value of having multiple people in the counseling room, why we should model the discipleship relationship, and much more.Show Notes: bcmnational.org/thach-kloter-52Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsThe burden to counsel well can lie heavy on our minds and hearts. No one knows that better than Pastor Tim Pasma. He understands your world as Tim is the Senior Pastor of about 130 people at LaRue Baptist Church in LaRue, OH. Tim is also an ACBC Fellow and Board Member, author, and speaker.In this episode, you’ll hear some of the areas counselors are most likely to make mistakes, the key difference between teaching and counseling, encouragement for those worried about making a mistake in counseling, and much more.Listen in! Show Notes: bcmnational.org/tim-pasma-51Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsHave you ever wondered what happens when you send your people to a three-day intensive? What did they learn? Was it true to Scripture? How can you build on what they achieved there?This is the topic we are covering today, along with Ben and Ailey Holman, and Kris and Amanda Mettlemen, who recently attended a retreat at Twelve Stones. These four are close friends, and they also share a counselee and counsel advocate couple relationship.In this episode, you’ll learn what is involved in a retreat, what an advocate couple is, how churches can effectively use partnership ministries, and much more.Listen in!Show Notes: bcmnational.org/advocate-couple-50Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsAs pastors, we recognize our sacred calling to teach and preach God’s Word to our flock. But one of the questions we’ve been pondering is that of our call to counsel and care for them as well.How does or should the care of souls within the local church impact our preaching? Does the dual focus on counseling and teaching have an impact, positive or negative, on either role? Can you only effectively be one or the other?I am delighted to introduce you to a guest who has the answers to all these questions and more. Scott Gnuse is the teaching and leadership pastor at New Castle Bible Church in Mackinaw, IL.In this episode, Scott shares how these two roles affect each other, why we should be careful not to neglect the ministry of prayer, our responsibility to genuinely care for people, and much more.Listen in!Show Notes: bcmnational.org/scott-gnuse-49Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsThere has been a biblical counseling movement going on for about 60 years now and it’s still moving! We are so excited to be able to share with you not only what is going on inside our country, but internationally as well.Joining for this conversation is Dr. Andrew Rogers. He is the Executive Director of Overseas Instruction in Counseling at BCM Worldwide, a ministry devoted to training biblical counseling trainers around the world.In this episode, Andrew shares what remains consistent across all countries and cultures, some of the issues the international church is facing, encouragement for your church and counseling ministry today, and much more.Listen in!Show Notes: bcmnational.org/andrew-rogers-48Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsRecently, we’ve seen more terms like “clinically-informed” and “trauma-informed” emerge in the counseling world. How are we to tell what is in line with biblical counseling and what isn’t? Many of these movements are more syncretistic in nature.To help us understand more about the new arguments coming out and how we should respond as biblical counselors is Dr. Heath Lambert. He is the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida and he previously served as the Executive Director of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC)In this episode, Heath discusses how some will use biblical truths to smuggle in lies, current issues facing the biblical counseling movement, the importance of firmly establishing the sufficiency of Scripture, and much more.Listen in!Show Notes: bcmnational.org/heath-lambert-47Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsHave you ever felt burnt out? After a long day of vocational ministry, you return home but you can’t stop worrying and thinking about all the people under your care. Perhaps you are wondering how you will manage to keep pastoring in the midst of this crazy world.These thoughts are quite common among church leadership and burnout is a far more common occurrence than ever before. Barna reported in 2022 that a staggering 42% of pastors said they were considering leaving their jobs, which Barna refers to as a “burnout epidemic.”This is why I am honored to welcome someone who has spoken on the topic of burnout and stress, Dr. Rob Green. Rob has been a member of the Faith Church staff for 20 years and his responsibilities include oversight of the Faith Biblical Counseling Ministry and teaching New Testament at Faith Bible Seminary.In this episode, Rob shares the different types of burnout, how to discern when burnout is an issue of rest or obedience, the challenges of vocational ministry, and much more.Listen in!Show Notes: bcmnational.org/rob-green-46Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsIn our last episode, Kari Gross shared her personal testimony and the role SoulCare™ has played in her life. And now, we have the pleasure of welcoming her daughter, Noelle Baffa, for this follow-up conversation.Following Jesus and allowing that to permeate through every aspect of your life doesn’t just change a person; it also changes their home, how they parent, and how they go through life. It shapes the culture of our home and how we disciple our children.In this episode, Noelle shares how Kari’s discipleship helped shape her identity and purpose, the ways that SoulCare™ impacted how she was instructed as a child, practical ways for addressing anxiety from her experience, and much more.Show Notes: bcmnational.org/noelle-baffa-45Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsWhat do we do at BCM, and why does it even matter? This is the question Kari Gross is going to help us answer in this conversation.At BCM, we firmly believe people should be able to go to their local church and receive help when they face great suffering, great sin, and the everyday trials of life that they cannot seem to handle.It is our mission to assist churches in creating an environment, a culture of biblical SoulCare™, and weave counseling into the DNA and daily life of their church.In this episode, Kari shares more about her personal counseling experience, what the core byproduct of any counseling is, why biblical counseling is superior, and much more.Listen in!Show Notes: bcmnational.org/kari-gross-44Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsWhat do you do, dear pastor, when you encounter a counseling situation that has you stumped or is difficult to navigate? Where do you turn to for practical, biblical advice?My guest today has encountered this question many times, which is why he founded the Biblical Counselors Society. This is a group of fellow pastors, church leaders, and biblical counselors who can offer advice and resources for your most challenging counseling cases.Nick Sevier is the Founder and Director of the Biblical Counselors Society. He is also an ACBC and International Association of Biblical Counselors (IABC) Certified Biblical Counselor.We recorded this episode from Faith Church in Lafayette, Indiana at the Biblical Counseling Conference. In this episode, we’ll share the value of having a community of like-minded counselors, the mission of the Biblical Counselors Society, why participation is the key to this society’s success, and much more.Show Notes: bcmnational.org/nick-sevier-43Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughts“It is very possible and very good for SoulCare to go back to the local church.”This is something we return to time and time again and it’s because there are so many churches that outsource SoulCare™ to voices outside the Church. We have worked with many churches over the last ten years and we are passionate about relying on the sufficiency of Scripture and bringing biblical SoulCare back to the local church.But the question remains, why does it matter that SoulCare is done through the local church?Helping me explore this question today is my teammate Chad Nightingale. Chad has been a Church Care Partner with BCM since November 2021 and serves as the Senior Pastor of Pekin Bible Church.In this episode, we’ll discuss the danger of seeking help outside the Church, who God ordained to care for the souls of believers, our vision for the future role of churches in SoulCare, and much more.Show Notes: bcmnational.org/chad-nightingale-42Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsCan you believe it? We just surpassed 3,000 downloads of this podcast! We are so amazed at all that God has done and how He has used the conversations we’ve had here to bless and encourage you.This episode is going to look a little different as we invite you into the BCM family room to hear from several team members. We are reflecting on what God has done in the last year, rejoicing at what He has accomplished, looking ahead at where the Lord may be leading in 2025, and much moreOur prayer is that you will be blessed by this conversation and it would lead you to pause and reflect on what He has accomplished in your life and the church you serve.Show Notes: bcmnational.org/bcm-family-41Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsWhat does it take to create not just an individual change, but a shift in the entire culture of a church? When we talk about culture, we are referring to the shared norms and default reactions, expectations, and approaches for a group of people.While the culture of your church developed naturally over time, we are going to discuss the benefits and challenges of intentionally creating a culture around biblical SoulCare™ in your church. This is a topic that is near and dear to our hearts as the mission at BCM is to help churches build a culture of biblical SoulCare for God’s glory.My co-host, Kent Kloter, is helping guide us through this discussion today. Kent serves as one of our Biblical SoulCare coaches. Our guest is William P. Smith. Bill is not only a pastor, author, and speaker, but he also has an MDiv and PhD and was a faculty member and counselor at the Christian Counseling and Education Foundation (CCEF).In this episode, you’ll learn how to create a culture of biblical SoulCare, ways to weave counseling into the church's DNA and daily life, why we should be wary of trusting experts over Scripture, and much more.Show Notes: bcmnational.org/william-smith-40Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsWhat advice do you give a family when they can’t find help for their teen? Many parents are at the end of their rope, they can’t resolve the bad behavior, the school system doesn’t want to deal with it, and they have nowhere else to turn.As a pastor, this might seem like a daunting task to counsel parents of a teenage son and direct them to resources.Joining me on the podcast are Andrew Held and Shane Knapp. They are both staff members at Salem4Youth, a year-long program that takes young men between the ages of 12 - 17 to overcome defiant behavior and better prepare them to function successfully in society.In this episode, you’ll hear some of the resources you should utilize before considering a live-in program, how to best support a child in the program, whether Scripture can address complex issues facing our teens, and much more.Show Notes: bcmnational.org/held-knapp-39Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsHow often has someone told you they have a chemical imbalance or that they have received a mental illness disorder diagnosis? As a pastor and a counselor have you felt equipped to advise that person?What many people don’t realize is that these diagnoses are often a prerequisite to receiving treatment. They are treating the brain, but they are not taking the time to counsel the mind.My guest today is my previous professor of biblical counseling at The Master’s University, Greg Gifford. He is also the author of Lies My Therapist Told Me: Why Christians Should Aim for More Than Just Treating Symptoms. Greg holds a PhD in biblical counseling from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and is an Elder as well as an Associate Pastor of Counseling & Life Groups at Faith Community Church in Santa Clarita, California.In this episode, we discuss the difference between treating the brain versus caring for the mind, why pastors can still counsel with confidence, some common lies members of your congregation may have heard from therapists, and more.Show Notes: bcmnational.org/greg-gifford-38Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsI’m sure you know, Pastor, the heavy responsibility of looking after your flock. There is an expectation that you will have the answers and all the time in the world to counsel each and every member. If you are blessed to have other counselors on your team, it can be difficult to distribute the workload evenly.How can you build enough trust in your team to create a culture of SoulCare throughout your church? What are the steps to identifying and training counselors to create a team around you? It’s because of questions like these that I am excited to talk about the apprenticeship program.I’m joined by my teammate, Pastor Chad Nightingale, who serves as the Senior Pastor of Pekin Bible Church and is our Church Care Partner at BCM.In this episode, Chad shares ways that pastors can redirect counselees to other competent counselors on the team, the common mistakes an apprentice can make, some of the qualifications for an apprenticeship, and much more.Listen in!Show Notes: bcmnational.org/chad-nightingale-37Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsHave you ever wondered what an ACBC Conference is like? Well, you don’t have to wonder any longer! We are recording live from the ACBC Conference in Fort Worth, Texas to give you a glimpse into what this year’s conference has been like.Several of our staff join in for this episode as we talk to conferencegoers about biblical counseling, the role of pastors, who can offer SoulCare, and more! Listen in as we find out how God has been working through them and the ACBC training.Show Notes: bcmnational.org/acbc-conference-36Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsThis week, Ben Holman is stepping in as our host at the 2024 ACBC Conference on the campus of Southwestern Theological Seminary.Over the past couple of episodes, we have been discussing the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). If you haven’t had a chance to hear them, you can go back to listen here.All of that has been a primer for today’s conversation. We are joined by Jenn Chen who has quite literally written the book on analyzing the DSM from a Biblical counseling standpoint. She is an ACBC Certified Counselor and the author of Biblical Counseling and Mental Disorder Diagnosis.In this episode, Jenn helps us look closer at what some have incorrectly labeled “the bible” of mental health, the limitations of the DSM, how to guide ministry leaders on how to transform the culture of your church, and more.Listen in!Show Notes: bcmnational.org/jenn-chen-35Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsWe are back for part two continuing our discussion of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and The Book of Woe: The DSM and the Unmaking of Psychiatry. The author, Gary Greenberg, gives an account of the history behind the DSM and his behind-the-scenes reporting of the deeply flawed process by which the DSM-5 has been revised.My teammates, Kari Gross and Ben Holman once again join me for this conversation. In this episode, we continue our discussion on The Book of Woe, why so many put their faith in the DSM, why many seek a diagnosis for their suffering, where to place our hope, and much more.Listen in!Show Notes: bcmnational.org/gross-holman-34Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsPastor, I’m so thankful you’re meeting with me today through this podcast. In this modern world, there are many new terms coined every day and as soon as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) issues their latest version it seems like they have new information to add to it.I’ve got my teammates, Kari Gross and Ben Holman, joining me for this controversial conversation. We are having a discussion all about the book, The Book of Woe: The DSM and the Unmaking of Psychiatry. The author, Gary Greenberg, gives an account of the history behind the DSM and his behind-the-scenes reporting of the deeply flawed process by which the DSM-5 has been revised. The DSM frequently turns suffering into a commodity, and the APA into its biggest beneficiary.In this discussion, we want to take a deep dive into how we as Christians and pastors should respond when someone we love informs us that they are pursuing a path to the therapist down the street. Should we engage them as a pastor or as a friend and try to show them there’s a better way? What do you do?Listen in!Show Notes: bcmnational.org/gross-holman-33Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsWe often communicate the importance of creating a biblical culture of SoulCare, but what do you do when there’s an urgent need for help — like those 3:00 AM calls when someone is in a literal or figurative emergency room, facing addiction, substance abuse, severe depression or anxiety, sexual immorality, or other critical situations?In today’s conversation, we are taking a look at the more intensive aspect of discipleship. Joining me is Greg Wetterlin, the Pastor of Men’s Ministries at Faith Church as well as the Director of Restoration Men’s Ministries. Restoration is a ministry dedicated to creating lasting change from life-dominating addictions through a Christ-centered men’s residential ministry.In this episode, Greg shares why someone may benefit from a more intensive form of discipleship, some of the life-dominating addictions people may suffer from, some of the signs of lasting change, and more.Show Notes: bcmnational.org/greg-wetterlin-32Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsHow often when someone comes to us for help do we direct them to the pastor or lead counselor? What happens when their schedule gets full or they get overwhelmed?Joining me for this conversation about the advantages of sending your lay elders to receive training are Don and Rosie Pierson. Rosie was on an earlier episode and I am delighted to have her back as well as have her husband join in.In this episode, you’ll hear Don and Rosie’s experience of the Biblical Counseling Training Conference, the benefits of training as many of your staff as possible, why it is important that lead pastors not carry this burden alone, and much more.Show Notes: bcmnational.org/don-rosie-pierson-31Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsAs we think about creating a culture of SoulCare in your church, we recognize that it's often church leaders whose souls need cared for. Our latest episode of the podcast is all about how to help you, the pastors and leaders of the church.You may be feeling immense pressure over ministering to your flock, feeling lonely and isolated, or discouraged about the effect your role is having on your family. This episode is for you!To help me cover this topic is a man that you’ve heard me mention on this podcast many times before, Dr. Garrett Higbee. Garrett Higbee is an author, speaker, Director of Lead Healthy Retreats, Founder and President of Twelve Stones Ministries, and most recently the founder of Soul Care Consulting.In this episode, you’ll learn about how to recognize common struggles pastors and leaders often have, find encouragement and guidance for the journey, and much more.Listen in!Show Notes: bcmnational.org/garrett-higbee-30Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsDo you have a child who has broken off communication with you? Perhaps they are no longer living a life that aligns with Scripture or have turned their back on you and the Lord entirely.For this conversation, I have the pleasure of talking with Dr. Stuart Scott who was one of my professors who later became a friend. Dr. Scott has a long list of credentials and background but currently, he is an author, the Director of Member Care at ACBC, and the Professor of Biblical Counseling at Bob Jones University and Seminary in Greenville, SC.In this episode, we are going to share how to encourage those with wayward children, what to say and what to avoid when talking to those who may be feeling this pain, some tips for parenting unbelievers, and more.Listen in!Show Notes: bcmnational.org/stuart-scott-29Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsCan the Bible really be applied to every aspect of our life today? That is the question many are asking. To what extent can Scripture inform the aspects of our lives?Culture tells pastors that it is not our job and seminary often has done little to prepare us for this challenge. Thankfully my guest today is uniquely qualified to help us navigate this topic.Dr. Sam Stephens is the Director of Membership and Certification for ACBC and serves as the Assistant Professor of Biblical Counseling at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Sam is also the author of several books that speak into the topic of the qualities of Biblical Counseling, psychological labels, and finding our purpose in Jesus Christ.In this episode, Sam helps us consider the challenges facing churches that respond to the call to Biblical Counseling, the danger of defaulting to other forms of care outside the church, and more.Listen in!Show Notes: bcmnational.org/sam-stephens-28Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsWe are taking a closer look at something we talk about all the time on this podcast and that is the Association of Christian Biblical Counselors (ACBC), specifically their fellow portion of the certification process.It is such a privilege to have an ACBC Fellow on the show to talk about this. John Lehman is an ACBC Fellow, an author, and has been the pastor for counseling, families, and missions at Hampton Park Baptist Church in Greenville, SC.In this episode, we discuss the role of an ACBC Fellow, how to apply to become one, how this role benefits your church, and more.Show Notes: bcmnational.org/john-lehman-27Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!

Share your thoughtsMany pastors are burned out, have limited margins, and come from a seminary that doesn’t necessarily train you on how to talk about or coach SoulCare. The need for gifted people who are not only good counselors but also enjoy coaching and mentoring others is vital to creating a church culture of biblical SoulCare.I have the privilege of being joined by two of our supervising and lead counselors on the podcast today, Julie Wieland and Rosie Pierson. In this episode, you’ll hear about the role of the apprenticeship program, the impact of supervising counselors, how God will mold you into the type of counselor you were meant to be, and much more.Show Notes: bcmnational.org/julie-rosie-26Read our ArticlesFollow us on InstagramDonate to support BCMLearn more about our 5-Project Biblical Counseling Blueprint Model™: Explore the rest of our website – bcmnational.orgFill out a short listener survey. We are eager to hear from you!