Romans 15:4 (New International Version, ©2011) "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope".

Monday, March 19, 2012

What is "Biblical Mentor Training" all about?

Our Mentoring Training Vision:
Our ministry purpose is to train and equip women to do one-on-one mentoring within their own local church family in the spirit of Titus 2:3-5. Biblical Mentoring is not a 'church program', but rather a culture of soulcare that dovetails with and serves the already established church ministries (particularly Women's Ministries, Student Ministries, Small Groups, and Counseling Ministries). We feel that intentional One-Another ministry is best done in the context of the local church. For that reason, we are offering "Biblical Mentor" training so that women can gain knowledge and skills useful for biblically mentoring women and girls. We believe that all believers are called to engage in some form One-Another ministry, whether it is called soulcare, counseling, mentoring, spiritual friendship, or discipling.

If you are interested in learning more about this training, please visit our website HERE.

We would be privileged to serve you!

Sunday, March 11, 2012

One-Another ministry, a fresh vision

This short video with Garrett Higbee so closely articulates the passion/vision for one another ministry that is taught in "Life On Life, Applying the One-Anothers of Scripture." It IS an exciting time to be involved with Biblical Counseling as it has evolved and improved in the 7 or so years I have been blessed to minister as a Biblical Counselor. What a privilege to be involved in the lives of one another!

Click HERE to view the video.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Our Passion for the Local Church

Here is an excerpt from "Life On Life, Applying the One-Anothers of Scripture". This one is about doing One-Another ministry in the context of the local church:

"A church with a culture of soulcare will bear much fruit. Whatever form the church’s One- Another ministry takes, it must be rooted in God’s Word, exalt Jesus Christ, be empowered by the Holy Spirit, and be loving. Soulcare ministry aims to produce salvation, sanctification, and Spiritual fruit. This is achieved through admonishment, teaching, exhortation, encouragement, comfort, and forbearance.

All believers need soulcare, not just those who are struggling. We all need One-Another ministry in various forms. We do have a tendency in our churches today to neglect the hurting believer. Hurting individuals should be taken care of primarily by the local church, but are often referred out to secular sources of help that will not provide true soulcare. Those sources can have some benefit for learning some behavior management that brings some relief, but they will not provide what we see in our definition of soulcare — “speaking the Truth in love anchored in the Word of God, depending on the Holy Spirit.”

For a believer to have lasting change and hope, she must be helped with some form of soulcare, preferably within her local church. The next best choice would be help from a local Biblically-based counseling ministry. Biblical Counselors are glad to provide counseling to those who come to them from other churches, but all of them would agree that the best scenario would be that local churches become well equipped to counsel, disciple, mentor, teach, and befriend their own church family."

Friday, March 2, 2012

An Excerpt about The Heart, from "Life On Life, Applying the One-Anothers of Scripture", a Mentor Training Course from Word Of Hope Ministries

So, you can see above that all change must begin in the core of the heart. Everything else pours out of our thoughts, beliefs, and desires. If our thoughts, beliefs, and desires are not Gospel-centered, our attitudes, motives, emotions, and behaviors will not be godly.

God’s Word says that we cannot trust our own hearts. Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” This is why we cannot help someone by simply offering a new behavior modification idea, or telling them how they should or shouldn’t be feeling, or what their motives should be or that they need to change their attitude. Those things can be changed in our own strength for a short period of time, but there will be no lasting change until we get to the core — our thoughts, beliefs, and desires.

Our thoughts are how we spend our thought life. Are our thoughts centered on this “checklist” of sorts found in Philippians 4:8?
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)
Or are we thinking thoughts that deny God’s sovereignty, or deny the Truths of the Gospel and are full of the fleshly worries, fears, and anxieties?

Our beliefs are what we believe about God and His Word. Our theology and doctrine matter. If we are in error, our beliefs will eventually pour in to our attitudes or behaviors, emotions and motives. Again, we must be rooted in the Gospel and we must think Biblically.

Our desires are simply what we want. Do we want God’s will or our own? Do we want self-centered things in life, or do we want to be others-centered? Is there idolatry in our lives, or are we applying Ephesians 4:22-24?
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

To learn more about this Mentoring Course, please go to our website here.