Congratulations to the 2019 Class of Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary! I rejoice with each of the graduates and their families as they prepare for the next chapter in God’s plan for their lives. Yesterday wrapped up a wonderful school year both for the biblical counseling department as well as the school corporately. As they have entered BBC/TS to learn, I look forward to see how these 11 counseling undergraduate students go forth to serve Christ in personal ministry.
Biblical Counseling at Baptist Bible College
The undergraduate program at BBC/TS continues to grow. After offering a Masters in Biblical Counseling for years, the undergraduate Bachelors of Science or Bachelors of Arts remains fairly new. This graduating class is the largest yet.
The Bachelor of Science or Arts in Biblical Counseling prepares students who are able to counsel individuals, couples, and families in a congregational, counseling center, or missions setting. The degree is designed for staff members and other church leaders who seek to minister from the framework of a biblical counseling model. This degree may be the perfect fit for both men and women who desire to serve the local church in a variety of contexts from associate pastors to missionaries to volunteers.
The degree helps the student develop four key areas: personal character, counseling content, counseling skills, and understanding the unique ministry context. Paul observed these same qualities in the Roman believers, “And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another” (Rom 15:14).
Growing Counseling Skill
More than any other year, this year’s class benefited from the outcomes process. They enjoyed – as much as you would enjoy going to the dentist – more counseling lab and observation hours than any previous class. The fish-bowl environment helped them develop individually as they counseled, in addition to the helpful hours of observation. For their final senior seminar, the Piatts and I thoroughly enjoyed our interaction and observation of their counseling skills.
Growing Public Ministry Skill
The 2019 class also participated in new public speaking courses designed from the Masters in Biblical Counseling model. Both the men and the women grew in their abilities to proclaim God’s Word publicly through the exposition of God’s Word while applying it to their individual ministry context. In addition to their public speaking course, they took six hours of expositional preaching (men) and expositional teaching (women).
Growing Personal Relationships
More than any other year, the class of 2019 built deep and meaningful relationships as they moved through the curriculum over the four years. They grew in love, trust, and authenticity. As the department chair of biblical counseling, this year was nothing less than remarkable. Day after day I was blessed by them as I watched them serve each other in love. Whether it was in a typical class or during counseling, they were serious about their relationship with Christ and each other. It would be impossible to know how many prayers were shared with each other publicly and privately, how many tears were shed, or how often they served each other through tangible means. For this pastor and professor, my proverbial buttons popped as I watched, rejoiced, and benefited personally through them.
Growing in Discipleship
God is doing great things in each of these students. Along the way, they have been part of God’s grace in my life as well. What an immense joy it is to anticipate how God will use them in His service all over the world in local churches.
They have grown together in Christ. Their questions, self-counsel projects, research, and time spent at BBC/TS have benefited them. I hope I have served you well, at least that is my prayer. Regardless of me, I know Christ serves you well and continues to work in your lives.
Other Students Benefit as Well
In addition to the eleven who graduated with either a Bachelors of Science or Arts in Biblical Counseling, many students also graduated with a minor in biblical counseling.
May God Bless You, Use You, and Keep You
As we say “Goodbye” to these undergraduate students, I pray God’s best for them. May He use them for His glory and the good of His church. Some will be back – as they have already put in considerable work towards their Masters in Biblical Counseling. Others go forth to the field to serve vocationally and non-vocationally as biblical counselors in their churches. May God bless your efforts as you complete the final steps of counseling certification.
I watch similar to the Apostle Paul with a full heart, much anticipation, and great joy.
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