This is the second in a series of “Conversations within Biblical Counseling” articles where I facilitate discussions between leaders in our movement on a variety of subjects. In this conversation, we discuss differences between the emotions of guilt and shame as we explore the implications for counseling.

Most biblical counselors would not describe their work as “getting to know a stranger from a set of intake forms forward.” In the world of biblical counseling, the form of care that most people provide is less formal than this. However, for those who serve in a parachurch setting, it is more common; perhaps, even the majority experience.

When biblical counseling is done in a local church, there is often a pre-existing relationship between helper and helpee. Additionally, in the local church, the helping relationship often persists after the struggle that prompted counseling has been resolved. In the world of formal counseling, having a relationship before and after the helping relationship is rare, even discouraged.

However, with the emergence of more seminaries offering masters level and doctoral degrees in biblical counseling, more people are considering creating parachurch organizations that specialize in biblical counseling.

That is what we want to discuss in this conversation, and what makes the experience of each person in this conversation particularly valuable. So, let’s explore together what does biblical counseling look like when it is done alongside the local church rather than within the local church?

If you want to keep reading, hear is the full PDF article.

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