Why should you consider education and a future career in biblical counseling?
Have you ever considered a career in biblical counseling? As one who has been in this field for the past twenty-nine years both formally and informally, let me tell you, there’s hardly anything like it. What a joy to interact with those around you in ways that help the other person deal with the many varied pressures of life. Again, there’s hardly anything like it. Essentially, you have a front row seat to watch God change others, while also producing joy in their lives as well. It is incredible.
If you are graduating from high school, are in your gap year, or have just started thinking about your vocational choices, here are thirty questions you might ask yourself to explore why biblical counseling could be a great fit for you – both as a way to serve Christ and serve others in a fulfilling and impactful career path.
- Do I want to help people navigate life’s challenges using God’s Word as the ultimate guide, since the Scriptures provide hope and solutions for each individual?
- Am I passionate about seeing people grow closer to Jesus through their struggles?
- Do I enjoy studying the Bible deeply and applying it to real-life situations?
- Would I find fulfillment in serving others in a church or ministry setting?
- Am I interested in a career that combines faith, understanding God, understanding people, understanding situational difficulties, and helping others?
- Do I feel called to make a difference in people’s lives during their hardest moments?
- Am I willing to grow personally in my faith while helping others do the same?
- Do I want a career where I can point people to hope that lasts beyond this life?
- Am I comfortable listening to people and offering compassionate, truth-based advice?
- Do I want to learn from professors who live out what they teach while they also seek to help others in similar ways as to what they are teaching?
- Am I interested in a field that works across cultures and communities worldwide?
- Do I see value in addressing both the heart and the mind in helping people, where you address the spiritual, emotional, and practical needs of others?
- Would I enjoy a career that involves teaching others how to live godly lives?
- Am I drawn to a profession where I can work with families, teens, or individuals?
- Do I want to be part of a growing movement that prioritizes biblical solutions, where you can be certified by multiple counseling organizations?
- Am I willing to tackle tough issues of suffering like anxiety and grief, or of sin with biblical truth?
- Do I want a career that allows me to integrate my faith into every aspect of my work?
- Am I excited by the idea of studying under experienced leaders in the field?
- Do I want to develop skills that I can use both professionally and in everyday life?
- Am I ready to pursue a path that challenges me to trust God’s Word as sufficient for all of life?
- Do I enjoy listening to people and helping them solve their problems?
- Am I curious about why people think, feel, or act the way they do?
- Would I find satisfaction in supporting someone through tough times?
- Can I stay calm and empathetic even when someone’s upset or angry?
- Do I want a job where I can make a real difference in someone’s life where I help them understand their mental health, emotions, and spiritual growth?
- Do I enjoy building trust with people over time?
- Could I see myself working in churches, counseling centers, group homes, schools, hospitals, or even private practice?
- Am I drawn to a field where I can help people find hope or purpose?
- Do I have the communication skills to explain complex feelings simply?
- Would I feel rewarded by seeing someone improve because of my guidance or discipleship?
As you consider these things and pray about how God may choose to use you, a biblical counseling degree may fit you perfectly.
Bachelor of Science in Biblical Counseling
Tim Michalak, a former student in this degree program, commented, “I chose this degree because I want to effectively counsel people from God’s Word to live life for His glory in the midst of tough circumstances.”
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” (Romans15:14).
In addition to the normal rigor of academic learning, it is not uncommon to hear students crediting biblical counseling courses for significant “Ah-hah!” moments of spiritual growth. A recent class speaker, Ike Porter, commented in his speech, “Taking a biblical counseling class is when I finally got it.”
Counselor and author, Martha Peace (MABC, BSN), wrote, “I would highly recommend [Mission University] in Springfield, Missouri to you whether you attend class in person or online. Their classes were thoroughly biblical and God-honoring, and you will not be sorry that you enrolled.”
Counseling Certification and Partnerships
The counseling department of Mission University earned certification with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC). Undergraduate students fulfill all the educational requirements for certification. ACBC Fellow Bill Piatt mentors students through the certification process. Further, the counseling department is also certified with the International Association of Biblical Counseling (IABC) and is an organizational partner with the Biblical Counseling Coalition.
Unity of Faculty and Instruction
Although the faculty are from various backgrounds and educational environments, all counseling faculty have at least one certification and years of practice in biblical counseling. The faculty both formally and functionally teaches the sufficiency of Christ (2 Peter 1:1-11) and the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:15-17). Students benefit from the unity among the faculty regardless of discipline. Furthermore, the faculty either currently serves or has served many years in the local church, including several as pastors.
Program faculty share the following characteristics:
- Years of experience in formal biblical counseling
- Years of experience in biblical counseling training
- Accredited degrees in the field
- Ongoing involvement in local church counseling ministry
- Maintains personal, professional, academic and spiritual accountability
Benefits of Training
Both the master’s and bachelor’s degrees in biblical counseling prepare students who are able to counsel individuals, couples, and families in a congregational, counseling center, or missions setting. This degree may be the perfect fit for both men and women who desire to serve the local church in a variety of contexts as pastors, associate pastors, missionaries, counselors, and volunteers.
In addition to vocational biblical counseling, other employment opportunities may include:
- Christian camp counseling
- Church youth work
- Missionary work
- Pastoral staff
- Christian school counseling
- Military: chaplaincy, cultural advisor
- Hospital: chaplaincy
- Education: school counselor
- Biblical counseling for Christian service agencies (i.e., BBFI)
- Christian foster and adoption work
- Biblical Counselor for Men’s/Women’s/Youth’s recovery home or ministry
- Admission counselor at a university
- Graduate school or seminary (MA, MDiv)
Students learn how to apply biblical wisdom consistent with the authorial intent of the Scriptures to life’s varied problems in living life in a broken world. Students can help individuals both through formal and informal counseling grow to become more like Christ while helping make sense of the complexities of life.
Mission University is dually accredited with the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), as well as the Higher Learning Commission.
Consider Joining Us This Fall
As the department chair of biblical counseling, it is my joy to come alongside the other qualified faculty of our institution to teach and model personal ministry that both grows the individual student and enables him or her to go out and serve others. You enter to learn and go forth to serve. With scholarships available this year, I do not want you to miss out on this opportunity through a quality education to serve Christ and His church while helping people live for the glory of God.
For more information about the Bachelor of Science in Biblical Counseling, click here.
For more information about the Masters in Biblical Counseling, click here.
For more information about the faculty, click here or here.
KevinCarson.com | Wisdom for Life in Christ Together
Trackbacks/Pingbacks