by
Wendell E. Miller
An Imperative, not an Alternative
Biblical counseling might be thought of as an alternative to secular counseling. However, it is so important that Christians obtain biblical counseling, and not secular counseling, that for Christians who need help with their problems, biblical counseling should not be thought of as an alternative, but as an imperative.
Man-centered vs. God-centered Counseling
Secular counseling is man-centered (anthropocentric). Thus, in secular counseling, the reason for man's existence, and the goals to be achieved in counseling, are centered upon, and revolve around, man. In addition, presuppositions with regard to man's nature, and counseling principles, are derived from man's philosophies (usually humanism).
In contrast, biblical counseling is God-centered (theocentric). Thus, in biblical counseling, the reason for man's existence, and the goals to be achieved in counseling, are centered in God and His revealed Word. In addition, both knowledge with regard to man's nature and counseling principles are God-given through the Scriptures.
Worldly vs. Biblical Goals
Usually, the goal of secular counseling is the happiness of the counselee (because the counseling is man-centered). If the happiness of the counselee is the goal of the counseling, then the counselee will be advised to do whatever he (or the counselor) thinks would make him happy, without regard to the will of God or the counselee's responsibilities to others.
In contrast, the goal of biblical counseling is to please God. Thus, in biblical counseling, the counselee is to be obedient to the revealed Word of God; and the counselee's happiness is a result of his obedience.
Worldly vs. Biblical Morality
The morality of secular counseling may be biblical, particularly if the secular counselor is a Christian. However, the morality of secular counseling is determined by situation ethics and the shifting sands of the mores of society, unless the morality of the secular counselor dictates otherwise.
In contrast, the morality of biblical counseling is anchored to the unchangeable rock of biblical truth.
Man's Way vs. God's Way
Secular counseling utilizes man's principles, derived from man's philosophies, empowered by man's efforts in an attempt to meet man's needs.
In contrast, biblical counseling utilizes: principles that are God-given in the Scriptures, the power of the Holy Spirit who indwells every Christian, and the power of prayer, coupled with the efforts of the counselee (obedience to the God-given principles) to achieve God's results in the counselee's life.
The Choice for Christians
Therefore, for Christians who need counseling, biblical counseling should not be thought of as an alternative to secular counseling, but as the only acceptable choice. Therefore, for Christians, biblical counseling is not an alternative, but an imperative.
Organization and Purpose of BCA
BIBLICAL COUNSELING ASSOCIATION, INC. is a not-for-profit corporation that provides biblical counseling to Christians from the congregations of churches and to individuals, both saved and unsaved, from the general public. Therefore, BCA has a ministry that provides an alternative to secular counseling, that is not an alternative, but that is an imperative.
Belief in the Sufficiency of the Scriptures
BCA believes that the Scriptures are sufficient for counseling in all matters related to personal problems and for problems in interpersonal relationships; and BCA believes that biblical counseling principles are not only sufficient without the addition of secular psychology, but that biblical counseling principles are also superior to the counseling principles of secular psychology.
BCA and the Local Church
BCA believes in the local church; and BCA is one in goals and purposes with Bible-believing churches that faithfully teach the Word of God, that teach salvation by grace, that desire to help their members grow in their Christian lives, and who are concerned for those outside the church. Therefore, BCA feels a oneness with such churches, and wishes to fellowship and to work with such churches.
BCA has a ministry that complements the ministry of the local church. This complementary ministry includes a ministry to both the churched and to the unchurched, and to both the saved and the unsaved. The ministry of BCA complements the ministry of the pastors of local churches in the edifying of the saints; and the ministry of BCA complements the home missions outreach of the local churches by a counseling outreach to the unchurched, both to the saved and the unsaved.
Responsibilities of BCA
BCA is dedicated to helping people solve the problems in their lives (personal problems and problems in interpersonal relationships) through biblical counseling and the teaching of biblical principles.
BCA is dedicated to helping Christians to react biblically to the provocations of others, to react biblically to circumstances, to put off unbiblical habit patterns, and to put on biblical habit patterns.
BCA is dedicated to helping Christians develop strong marriages, to preventing divorce, to helping Christians with child rearing problems, to helping parents and teens to have biblical relationships with each other, to helping teens with dating problems, and to helping engaged couples by means of premarital counseling.
BCA is dedicated to helping unbelievers find that the answers to their problems are in the Scriptures, in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ, in a personal relationship with Him, and in obedience to the principles that are taught in the Scriptures.
Making Counseling Effective
BCA feels a keen responsibility to help counselees with their problems. However, biblical counseling is effective only as counseling principles are made a part of the counselee's life. Therefore, counseling at BCA includes not only the teaching of biblical counseling principles, but also the assigning of daily homework that makes the counseling principles a part of the counselee's life.
Responsibilities of Counselees
BCA desires to be of help to all counselees and to see all counselees succeed in overcoming their problems. However, for biblical counseling to be effective, it is necessary for counselees to apply themselves diligently to the counseling process. Therefore, because of a limitation of counseling appointments per week, continued eligibility for counseling is dependent upon:
1. Faithfully keeping appointments, or canceling as early
as possible, any appointment that cannot be kept.
(Seldom can an unkept appointment be used for another
counselee, and yet the cost to BCA for an unkept
appointment is the same as for a counseling session.)
2. Cooperation with the counselor by the counselee
applying himself diligently to homework assignments.
(Knowledge of what to do, without acting according to
that knowledge, renders the counseling process
ineffective).
Financial Policies
BCA is dedicated to the belief that biblical counseling should be a ministry and not a business; and so BCA provides counseling without charge, as time and finances permit. Therefore, those who cannot afford to pay for counseling should not hesitate to request counseling for themselves or to refer those for counseling who cannot pay.
BCA believes that Christian responsibility includes the responsibility of each person to assist in the cost of ministries in which he is a beneficiary. The cost of counseling for a given counselee has been paid by others; and so that counselee should, if possible, contribute to the cost of providing counseling for someone else, during counseling, and/or at some later time.
BCA is financed entirely by contributions. The extent to which BCA can provide an alternative to secular counseling (that is not an alternative but an imperative) is dependent upon gifts from those who benefit from the counseling ministry of BCA, and those who believe in biblical counseling and in the counseling ministry of BCA.
Appointment Information
BCA desires to provide counseling during hours that will prevent, as much as possible, the necessity of counselees losing time from work. Therefore, counseling is available mornings, afternoons, and evenings for the convenience of counselees who work on various shifts.
For appointments, call:
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