Definition
Biblical Counseling is the process in which the Bible, God’s Word, is personally related to a person or persons who are struggling under the weight of personal sin and/or suffering, so that he or she might genuinely change in the inner person to be pleasing to God.
Three Key Beliefs
First, we believe that the Bible, which is given by God, is sufficient for life. When properly interpreted, it reveals to believers all the information necessary to understand their need for Christ, how to please the Lord, and how to live in a way that honors God, regardless of the circumstances—whether they are comfortable or oppressive.
Second, the Bible serves as the authoritative source against which all truth claims—including those made by science and history—must be evaluated. Therefore, we reject any counseling theories that rely on presuppositions, principles, or methodologies inconsistent with the proper interpretation of biblical texts.
Third, we believe that genuine heart change is entirely dependent on the ministry of the Holy Spirit. As a result, our approach to counseling emphasizes the importance of prayer, dependence on God, a thorough understanding of the Word of God, and the ability to minister effectively to people. For a more detailed explanation of biblical counseling, please refer to the Biblical Counseling Coalition’s confessional statement. Additionally, our counseling efforts are affiliated with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).
What to Expect
Here are a few things we would like you to know:
- First, our counseling is offered free of charge as a ministry to our church and community.
- Appointments are based on our wait list; because of this, we are not always able to see members of other churches. Please call our office at 419.485.8229 to see if we have availability.
- Because of the role your pastor provides in spiritual care, we require him to complete the “Church Recommendation Form.”
- For members of other churches, we ask that you invite someone from your home church to “walk alongside” you throughout the soul care process, providing additional support, encouragement, and accountability. This counseling advocate will play an important role in helping you put into practice the changes and biblical principles discussed during counseling.
- If you are not currently a member or regular attender of a local church but desire to receive counseling, we are glad to serve you. As part of the counseling process, we ask that you commit to attending Bridgewater Community Church (BCC) throughout the duration of counseling.
If you agree to this biblical pathway for counseling, we invite you to continue the process by completing the following forms to begin your counseling journey.
Forms
Personal Data Inventory (PDF) (Word)
Identifying Issues (PDF) (Word)