Blog

Winston Smith in Boston, MA

February 14, 2013 - CCEF - Blog Post

Winston Smith, author of Marriage Matters, will be teaching in the Boston area this weekend. Smith will share ways to experience God’s extraordinary grace in the ordinary moments of married life. Come this Valentine’s Day weekend to be encouraged, restored and challenged through this powerful seminar. Register here to attend.

Mike Emlet at Faith Church

February 13, 2013 - CCEF - Blog Post

Dr. Mike Emlet, Faculty Member at CCEF and author of Crosstalk, brings his wisdom and skill to address topics such as OCD, dealing with chronic pain and the use of psychoactive medication. He will be speaking at Faith Church in Lafayette, IN on Thursday February 14th in the afternoon and evening and Friday February 15th in the morning.

Being a Burden

February 11, 2013 - Ed Welch - Blog Post

If you hear yourself say, “I am such a burden to _________ [my family, friends, loved ones, the world],” you are in danger. Your mind will go to very dark places, and you are developing immunity to the encouragement of both other people and Scripture. For example, you will hear others say that they are happy to serve you, yet you do not believe it. Instead, you believe their lives would be much easier and, therefore, better if you were gone.If people are not telling you that you are a burden, why do you feel that way?Being needy is hard

Thoughtful Ministry to Embodied Souls

February 07, 2013 - Chris Carter - Blog Post

The following is a classic discussion from Dr. Mike Emlet on how to begin to understand people as body and soul, and how wise love is sensitive to both. He begins with a few minutes on how to understand psychiatric diagnoses, and then broadens to discuss people as embodied souls and how that understanding informs thoughtful ministry.This was one of the first resources I found from CCEF on the topic, and it helpfully shaped how I understood myself and others. At about thirty minutes long, it is perfect for listening through in a single sitting.

Self-talk vs. talking to God

February 06, 2013 - CCEF - Blog Post

"Biblical counseling is often thought of as a Christianized Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). That is a problem if that is the case. CBT encourages self-talk. But we encourage talking to Someone else."-David Powlison in his course Theology and Secular Psychology

Counselor Self-Disclosure: How Much Should I Talk about Me?

February 04, 2013 - Ed Welch - Blog Post

When you are counseling, how much do you share about yourself? The same question could be asked of small group leaders and preachers.What is self-disclosure?Self-disclosure is simply offering personal information while you are also offering godly direction to someone else. This information can be in different forms.Demographic data. This might include things like: your age, birthday, where you grew up, marital status, kids’ names, church, or what you did on your summer vacation.

Gospel Counseling in the Local Church

January 31, 2013 - CCEF - Blog Post

In the Austin area? Come hear Dr. Tim Lane, Executive Director at CCEF and author of How People Change, address the question of how you can do effective gospel ministry in your local church. You will be equipped, strengthened and encouraged. Register here to bring your staff or church leaders.