Q.
Why biblical counseling?
A. Because the Bible is God's Word and it is living and active, sharper
than any two-edged sword. The Bible has the answers for hurting people
today and is the best source for counseling and dealing with the deep,
complex issues of the heart. The church and the world are in desperate
need of Christians who are trained to use the Scriptures to gently
correct, rebuke and encourage those who are struggling with grief,
depression, martial discord, addictions and more. NANC is one of the
foremost leaders in the biblical counseling movement and Southwest
Bible Church is partnering with them to host the Counseling and Discipleship
Training Conference in Portland.
Q. What is NANC?
A. The National Association of Nouthetic Counselors is a fellowship
of Christian pastors and laymen who have banded together to promote
excellence in biblical counseling. NANC was founded in 1975 in service
to Christ to address several needs in the growing biblical counseling
community.
NANC exists to help pastors and those who would be ministers of the
Word of God by providing help and encouragement. NANC is first and
foremost a certifying organization. The certifying process is rigorous
but attainable by even the busiest pastor. The process consists of
the completion of an approved training course, the completion of both
a theological and a practical counseling test, several references,
and a minimum of 50 hours of supervised counseling experience. The
first step in the process is to write the NANC office and request a
membership packet.
Q. What does the word, "nouthetic" mean?
A. It is from the New Testament Greek word "nouthesia," is a noun most
often used by the apostle Paul, and is sometimes translated, "to counsel,
instruct, admonish or warn." The word means to counsel or train by
the use of words, whether by encouragement or, if necessary, by reproof
and correction. It is one of the biblical words for pastoral counseling
and is included in the title of NANC to indicate the commitment of
its membership to counseling that is thoroughly grounded in the Scriptures
as the only rule of faith and practice. For example, the word occurs
in both its noun and verb forms in the following verses:
1 Corinthians 10:11 These things happened to them as examples
and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of
the ages has come.
Romans 15:14 I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves
are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct
one another.
1 Corinthians 4:14 I am not writing to embarrass you. I want
to help you, just as parents help their own dear children.
Colossians 1:28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone
with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
Colossians 3:16 Let the words of Christ, in all their richness,
live in your hearts and make you wise. Use his words to teach and counsel
each other. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful
hearts.
2 Thessalonians 3:15 Don't consider them your enemies, but speak
kindly to them as you would to any other follower.
Nouthetic counseling by definition is Biblical counseling.
Need More Information?
If you need additional information, please call the church office
at 503.524.7000. |
14605
SW Weir Rd