Should I pursue a degree program in biblical counseling?

A degree program ought to do 2 things: (1) you ought to be studying something you really want to learn, and (2) it ought to open some doors. In some ways, formal education is meant to tie credentialing to career.

Click on the link below to hear more on the topic:

(4:45 mins)

• JBC article: Powlison, David, “Answers for the Human Condition: Why I Chose Seminary for Training in Counseling,” Journal of Biblical Counseling, Vol. 20, No. 1, 2001, pp. 46-54.

What can a person do with CCEF’s training in Biblical counseling?

At this time, there are no routine career tracks for biblical counselors. Many of our students who have been trained in either CCEF’s Certificate program or have obtained a degree in biblical counseling have pursued various vocational tracks.

Click on the link below to hear more on the topic:

(3:24 mins)

Click here to hear some examples under the various ways our students have used their training:

Youth worker

(3 mins)

• JBC article: Kramer, Sonya; Powlison, David, “Youth Worker and... Counselor? An Interview with Sonya Kramer,” Journal of Biblical Counseling, Vol. 21, No. 3, 2003, pp. 33-41.

Missionary

• JBC article: Sherwood, John and Fisher, Scott. “Pastoral Care for Missionaries,” Journal of Biblical Counseling, Vol. 25, No. 3, 2007, pp. 23-31

Various cross cultural ministry worker

(1 min)

• JBC article: Amoor, Samuel; Powlison, David, “A Nigerian Pastor Talks about Counseling,” Journal of Biblical Counseling, Vol. 19, No. 1, 2000, pp. 33-39.

Inner city rescue missions worker

(1:22 mins)

• JBC article: Emberger, Bob; Powlison, David, “Biblical Ministry in a Rescue Mission: Interview with Bob Emberger,” The Journal of Biblical Counseling, Vol. 17, No. 1, 1998, pp. 15-22.

Crisis pregnancy agency worker

(1 min)

• JBC article: Winn, Jane K., “Jesus Rewrites Our Stories: Counseling in A Crisis Pregnancy Center,” Journal of Biblical Counseling, Vol. 21, No. 3, 2003, pp. 46-57.

Prison ministry worker

(40 secs)

Campus ministry worker

(43 secs)

Hospital chaplain

(1:11 mins)

Pastor of nurture/discipleship/counseling

(33 secs)

Diaconal and mercy ministry/social worker

(1:23 mins)

• JBC article: Babler, John; Powlison, David, “Counseling Ministry Within Wider Ministry: Interview with John Babler,” The Journal of Biblical Counseling, Vol. 18, No. 1, 1999, pp. 17-24.

Church secretary/mercy ministry director

(1 min)

Evangelist

(1:14 mins)

• JBC article: Sigley, Thomas , “Evangelism Implosion: Reaching the Hearts of Non-Christian Counselees,” The Journal of Biblical Counseling, Vol. 17, No. 1, 1998, pp. 7-14

Are CCEF courses only for those who want to be professional biblical counselors?

No, in fact there many of our students have integrated their training in biblical counseling into other fields of education or profession. Here are some examples:

Preaching pastors

(36 secs)

• JBC articles:
  • Lane, Timothy, “Normal Sunday Mornings and 24/7,” Journal of Biblical Counseling, Vol. 21, No. 2, 2003, pp. 7-17.
  • Street, John; Powlison, David, “Exegete the Bible; Exegete the Person: An Interview with John Street,” The Journal of Biblical Counseling, Vol. 16, No. 2, 1998, pp. 7-13.

Director of Women’s Ministries

(25 secs)

Christian school teachers

(32 secs)

High school guidance counselor

(30 secs)

• JBC article: Horne, Rick, “Counseling Angry, Unmotivated, Self-centered, Spiritually-indifferent Teens,” Journal of Biblical Counseling, Vol. 23, No. 3, 2005, pp. 46-52.

Worship leaders

(2 mins)

Neurologists

(1:15 mins)

Lawyers

(1 min)

Mental health professionals and social workers

(2:35 mins)

Theological academics

(1 min)

People who have expertise in other types of educational disciplines

(1:32 mins)

What are some possible areas where jobs can be created for biblical counselors?

Here is a challenge for you: innovate institutionally. We are persuaded that there are job opportunities that do not yet exist that ought to exist. And there may be people who are trained in biblical counseling who will create them. Here are some examples:

Residential programs

(1:25 mins)

Pastoral care/counseling department in a church

(1 min)

Biblical counselor attached to a doctor’s office

(1:38 min)

• JBC article: Hernandez, Elizabeth; Powlison, David, “Incarnational Ministry: An Interview with Elizabeth Hernandez,” The Journal of Biblical Counseling, Vol. 16, No. 1, 1997, pp. 20-24.

Chaplain to funeral homes

(51 secs)

Ministries to particular populations

Note: The audio files above were taken from a lecture given by David Powlison in 2008 as part of the class Theology and Secular Psychology.