Join the fastest growing Biblical Counseling Network.

Counseling in Your Local Church

We are grateful for Salem Heights Biblical Counseling's efforts. For over a decade, they have started and supported Biblical Counseling ministries in local churches throughout the Pacific Northwest. Their Made to Minister Conference consistently encourages and trains attendees. In partnership with the Association of Biblical Counselors (ABC), Salem Heights continues to share the gifts God has given them for ministry both in North America and internationally.

Salem Heights Resource List | Starting a Biblical Counseling Ministry

Audio:

Counseling Care in the Church, Emily Dempster and Tara Cox from the MtM Conference February 2025

This workshop explores the unique role of the church in providing counseling care. You be presented insights into how the local church can create a culture of biblical care and support, including integrating formal counseling ministries with the everyday discipleship and pastoral care of the congregation. The audio will address practical ways to equip church leaders and lay people for counseling and to begin developing a culture of care.

Videos:

Our Journey, Emily Dempster

Counseling in Your Local Church Workshop, Emily Dempster

In this workshop Emily will…

  • Outline the benefits of providing a biblical counseling ministry in your church

  • Share some simple ways of starting, building, and equipping a team

  • Highlight a few liabilities, processes, and procedures to consider

  • Address some of the frequently asked questions from pastors and church leadership

If you are a pastor, ministry leader, or an individual interested in learning about biblical counseling and biblical counseling training, this workshop is for you!

Articles:

Affirmations & Denials:  A Proposed Definition of Biblical Counseling, David Powlison
Biblical Counseling in Local Churches and Parachurch Ministries, David Powlison & Heath Lambert
Counseling Ministry Within Wider Ministry, John Babler & David Powlison
Lay Counseling Risk Management Guidebook 2019, Brotherhood Mutual
Ten Questions to Ask before Starting a Counseling Ministry in Your Church, David Powlison

Salem Heights Biblical Counseling Forms:

Counseling Handbook 2022
Lay Counselor Application example, editable
Intake Form example, editable
End of Care Summary example, editable
Release of Information example, editable

Recommended Books:

A Biblical Counseling Process, Lauren Whitman
Building a Church Counseling Ministry, Sue Nicewander
Legal Issues in Biblical Counseling: Direction and Help for Churches and Counselors, T Dale Johnson Jr. and Edward Wilde

Helpful Websites:

Association of Biblical Counselors (ABC)

Biblical Counseling Coalition (BCC)

The Gospel Coalition (TGC)

Recommended HIPAA Compliant Video Conferencing Platform:

Doxy.me, Pricing options (free is fairly feature-rich)

Recommended Professional Liability Insurance Providers:

CM&F Group Insurances, An Individual Healthcare Provider / Pastoral Counselor

Recommended Branding Providers:

Shawn Bueche

Learn more about starting a soul care and counseling ministry below.