Katrina's Musings (Biblical Counseling Conference)

A couple weeks ago, my friend Kim and I spent the week in Lafayette, Indiana at the Biblical Counseling Conference sponsored by Faith Church.

Kim and I are in the process of certification as biblical counselors. We have (1) taken the basic training course for biblical counselors ("Track 1"), (2) read 1,000 pages from required theology texts (3) viewed at least 10 hours of biblical counseling with an ACBC (Association of Certified Biblical Counselors) certified counselor either via live sessions or via video, and now we are in the process of (4) writing our exam papers, which involves answering 24 theology questions (such as: "What does it mean that the Bible is inspired?", "Who and What is man?", "Why did Christ die?" "What is the church?", etc.) and 28 biblical counseling questions (such as "What are the goals of biblical counseling?", "What is data gathering and why is it important?", "Develop a biblical view of emotions. Use both Old and New Testament in your answer", etc.). Each question is to be answered in an essay style and should be 1 to 1-1/2 pages in length (it is an open book exam, which is much appreciated). Needless to say this is a big task. Kim and I enrolled in "Track 5" at the Biblical Counseling Conference to help us prepare for the papers (literally prepare for the papers). The class involved a week of teaching on every question on the exam with 1 hour blocks to work on the papers interspersed between sessions). Kim and I found the time very profitable (it's good to think on and wrestle with the big questions about God for one's self). We completed several papers and are working toward completing the rest for submission by mid-March.

This is the third Biblical Counseling Conference that Kim and I have attended in Lafayette. Each time we've stayed with our friend Mildred. It is a joy visiting with her and benefiting from her generous hospitality during the week. Another joy for us this week, was meeting new friends (of which we made many). Pictured above from left to right is our new friend Krysten, Kim, Mildred, and myself. This picture was taken at a local restaurant one evening after sessions.

We had a great time and are so grateful to God for the opportunity to attend the conference!

P.S. After we complete our exam papers, submit them for grading, and once they come back approved (allowing of any possible rewrites or further clarification requests), our last step in the certification process is to complete 50 hours biblical counseling supervised by an ACBC certified fellow. I'll keep you posted as to our progress. 

P.S. again: Prayer would be appreciated as we work our way through this process. 

  

My Friend, Betsy

Let me introduce my friend, Betsy, and tell you how we met.

Two years ago, I went to the Biblical Counseling Conference in Lafayette, Indiana with my friend Kim. The second night of the conference we were invited to a dinner through someone Kim had met at another conference. It was a large gathering (30+ people) at a restaurant. I wasn't even seated next to my friend Kim (who was the only person there that I knew). However, I was seated next to Betsy. Through the course of the evening, Betsy and I started talking about evangelism. I had recently started going out to skate parks and parades to talk to kids about the gospel and hand out tracts. Betsy had recently started her own evangelism ministry with a friend from her Sunday School class at church. They often go to laundromats and seek to share the gospel with the people they find there. Betsy is from Wisconsin (about 4-1/2 hours from where I live in Minnesota).

Since that time, Betsy and her friend Jane have been to visit me twice in Minnesota (they like to go to the Mall of America to share the gospel while they are here). And I've been to visit Betsy twice in Wisconsin (both times making a trip to Wisconsin Dells for evangelism purposes).

Betsy just finished her masters degree in Biblical Counseling and is in the process of becoming a NANC certified counselor. So, we share an interest in Biblical counseling and in evangelism. Betsy also loves to read (loves books) and has been a great resource to me in this area.

Betsy and I are still getting to know each other but are fast becoming dear friends. I marvel how God put us together!

Note: The picture above was taken a year ago (myself on the left, Betsy on the right).

Biblical Counseling

I interrupt this regularly scheduled blog to attend the Biblical Counseling Conference in Lafayette, Indiana. This year, my friend Kim and I returned to the conference and our husbands joined us (as well as another friend from our church). It's a busy week of attending classes 8:00 am until 6:00 pm (and later) every day. We look forward to all that we'll be learning this week. Posts will be sporadic this week. Stay tuned.