USING THE WORD OF GOD

TO FIND REAL AND LASTING ANSWERS

TO LIFE'S PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES

AVAILABILITY

The counseling ministry of MVBC is offered without charge; both to members and attendees of our church but also (as openings allow) to those from other churches and from the community at large.

BIBLICAL OR "NOUTHETIC" COUNSELING

What does THAT mean? The term "NOUTHETIC" comes from two similar Greek words used in the original transcripts of the New Testament.  It means "to place or put the mind," so in a biblical sense it means to help one focus his or her mind on appropriate truth from the inspired word of God.  The biblical or nouthetic counselor helps the counselee find and understand relevant scriptural truths to apply to whatever problems or issues the counselee faces.  (This Greek word is found in each of the following verses:  Acts 20:31, Romans 15:14, I Corinthians 4:14, I Corinthians 10:11, Ephesians 6:4, I Thessalonians 5:14, II Thessalonians 3:15, Titus 3:10.)

THE AUTHORITY OF THE WORD OF GOD

We believe the Bible to be the inspired, infallible, and sufficient word of God.

II Timothy 3:16-17 (KJV)"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

By sufficient, we mean that the Bible contains the needed truth to handle any problem in a way that is pleasing to God.  The unchanging principles of God's word work for any person in any setting.

II Peter 1:3-4 (KJV)"According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."

SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE

Proper biblical counseling uses the word of God to instruct, encourage, comfort, and exhort counselees, but also to reprove, warn, admonish, or even rebuke when necessary.  However, the goal of biblical counseling is always to speak the truth (as revealed by scripture) and to speak it in love.

Ephesians 4:15 (KJV)"But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him all things, which is the head, even Christ:"

WHO DOES THE COUNSELING?

At MVBC we have a full time pastoral staff position devoted to biblical counseling.  Stephen Wilkins is our biblical counselor and he is often assisted by others on our staff and by selected lay people who have been or are being trained in Nouthetic counseling.  Counseling sessions at MVBC are conducted with confidentiality and in private settings.

Opportunites are frequently available for training in this ministry.  There are courses of study, observational training sessions, seminars, and finally participative training sessions.  Many of our resources are chosen from the National Association of Nouthetic Counselors (NANC).

DO YOU HAVE A NEED?

DO YOU WANT MORE INFORMATION?

To arrange for possible counseling or to get more information, please call the counseling office at (603)595-1997 or the church office at (603)595-0955.