In this episode hosts, Michael, Shauna, and Jeremy discuss all the details of The 2023 Called To Counsel Conference. We're excited about this year's conference with all of our speakers and new track introductions.

Register HERE

CALLED TO COUNSEL

Doxology Bible Church

Fort Worth, TX

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace in time of need.

Plenary One: God's Word and Gaze in Life and Counseling (v.12-13) - Jeremy Lelek

Plenary Two: The Ascended Savior and Instilling Hope (v.14) - Jeremy Pierre

Plenary Three: The  Heart of Christ in Our Weaknesses (v.15) - Tim Challies

Plenary Four: God's Sanctuary of Mercy and Grace (v.16) - John Henderson

Pre-Conference 1: "Wisdom in Responding to Fools" - Brad Hambrick

Pre-Conference 2: "Discernment: A Matter of the Heart" - Alasdair Groves

Pre-Conference 3: "Growing in Discerning: Wisdom vs. Foolishness" - Julie Lowe

Pre-Conference 4: "Wisdom from Anger" - Mark Vroegop

ABC offers specialized tracks taught by leading practitioners in the field. Each of the following tracks will include eight insightful sessions. Attendees will choose one track during registration, and will attend all sessions in that track throughout the duration of the conference. 

Note: Track sessions are listed in the order that they will be delivered.  

Objective: To provide attendees with a biblical perspective that targets both the physical and the spiritual dimensions of our makeup, and how both apply to counseling others. While the spiritual will always take precedence when it comes to biblical care, God has given us an abundance of research that helps us to understand how the brain, the heart, and the gut impact our emotional states. Therefore, drawing from this data as an adjunct to our care for others can prove quite helpful. A framework will be given that will foster a counseling context that reflects the counsel of Paul who wrote, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31).

"Two Books, Two Ages, Two Parts: Theological Foundations and Distinctives for a Holistic Approach" - Adam Sandlin

"A Biblical Theology of the Body" - Matthew LaPine

"A Practical Approach to the Body and Wellness" - Eliza Huie

"The Habits of the Body in Emotional Life" - Matthew LaPine

"Biblical and Scientific Grounds for a Psychology of the Heart" - Eric Johnson

"Carditive Therapy: Working with the Heart in the Care of Souls" - Eric Johnson

"Life Is Liturgy: Putting It All Together" - Jeremy Lelek

"Life Is Liturgy: A Case Study" - Jeremy Lelek and Tim Watson

Objective: To carefully define domestic abuse, present a biblical understanding of the trouble, and then provide practical, Christ-centered, and exegetical sound guidance for those who counsel marriages where abuse is or has been a reality.

"Is it Abuse? Understanding and Identifying Abuse" - Darby Strickland

"Hearts Shaped by Trauma" - Darby Strickland

"Responding to Abuse: Caring for Victims and their Children" - Darby Strickland and Kirsten Christianson

"Understanding the Abuser" - Greg Wilson and Chris Moles

"Responding to Abuse: Caring for Perpetrators" - Greg Wilson, Chris Moles, Kirsten Christianson

"Separation, Divorce, and Marriage Reconciliation Issues" - Chris Moles

"Domestic Abuse Case Study: What it looks like on the ground" - Panel

"Considerations for Church Care in Abusive Marriages" - Kirsten Christianson

Objective: The Fundamentals of Soul Care track seeks to foster and equip believers in the church to grow a culture of soul care and mutual ministry in and throughout the body of Christ. For discipleship and soul care to happen at every level in and through the local church there must be a biblical understanding of what God’s call to the church is when it comes to the care of souls. Heart focused mutual ministry is not just the call of the biblical counselor. This should be every member ministry. Fundamentals for Biblical Soul Care will explore the biblical and theological convictions from Scripture that should inform and drive the ways that Biblical Soul Care is implemented and equipped in the local church.

"Soul Care: God's Design for His People" - Lee Lewis

"God's Story: A Discipleship & Care Framework for You and Others" - Robert Cheong

"Building a Culture of Soul Care in the Church" - Garrett Higbee

"Paradigm Shifts Needed to Grow a Culture of Soul Care in the Church" - Garrett Higbee

"Building a Church Biblical Counseling Center to Support the Church" - Emily Dempster

"Abiding in Christ: Experiencing the Care We Need" - Robert Cheong

"Implementing a Seamless Model of Equipping and Soul Care" - Lee Lewis

"Using Biblical Counseling Resources to Train Counselors and Minister to the Community" - Emily Dempster

Objective: Delivered by a team of people who have walked through various addictions and been transformed by God’s Word, the Addiction Track seeks to help people understand the fundamental nature of addiction as a worship disorder. True transformation is only possible when the gospel opens eyes and transforms hearts to worship the only One who truly deserves all worship. We provide foundational truths relevant to all addictive issues and demonstrate how they practically apply to particular situations like substance abuse, eating disorders, and sexual addiction.

"The Fertile Ground of Addiction–Understanding a Person’s Story" (Biblical Anthropology) - Michael Snetzer

"Understanding Addiction Biblically–Gospel Response" - Dave Dunham

"Counseling Substance Addictions" - Michael Snetzer

“Understanding Eating Disorders and How to Work Together Towards Healing" (motives, core issues, & restructuring) - Krista Dunham

“Pornography Addiction - Counseling husbands who have hurt through pornography" - Curtis Solomon

"Pornography Addiction - Sharing grace to wives who have been hurt by pornography” - Jenny Solomon

“Helping Others Break Destructive Habits" - Dave Dunham

“Using Scripture to Counsel Addiction" - Full Panel with Q&A

Objective: Biblical counseling ministry lays vital groundwork for understanding the purpose of marriage and family and therefore establishing the paradigm through which we understand, evaluate, and operate in our marriages and families. This track will address how marriage reflects Christ, to grasp roles and responsibilities of the family unit, and how to have joy in the difficulty of marriage and family. It will also provide an emphasis on how to counsel children and adolescents in the context of family.

"For the Glory of God" - John Henderson

"Before the Face of God" - John Henderson

“In Service to God" - John Henderson and Julie Lowe

"Learning to Live as One" - Michael and Shauna Van Dyke

"Learning to Love Other" - Michael and Shauna Van Dyke

"Counseling Children in the Context of Family" - Julie Lowe

“Counseling Adolescents in the Context of Family" - Julie Lowe

Conclusion and Panel Discussion

Objective: Participants in this track will be better equipped to guide the people they counsel through the grief that accompanies the loss of loved ones. They will learn how the Bible speaks to grief and how they, as counselors, can lead others toward hope, peace, and perseverance.

"When Through the Deep Waters I Call You To Go" - Tim Challies

"When Sorrows Like Sea Billows Roll" - Rachel Rosser Schulte

"He Lives Triumphant From the Grave" - Mark Vroegop

"Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow" - Rachel Rosser Schulte

"We Shall Meet on That Beautiful Shore" - Paul Tautges

"When Other Helpers Fail and Comforts Flee" - Mark Vroegop

"In ev’ry Change He Faithful Will Remain" - Panel

"Bear Patiently the Cross of Grief or Pain" - Paul Tautges

Objective: Few topics generate conversation and confusion as much as gender and sexuality. Are clarity, compassion, conviction, and civility even possible within this conversation? The Gender and Sexuality track will seek to offer biblical clarity on topics related to gender and sexuality from both a pastoral, discipleship, and counseling lens. From understanding how an LGBTQ person’s story and background impact their struggle to how the church, parents, friends, and others can better help and address strugglers. Our presenters will seek to offer biblically faithful truth while helping the attendee grow in wisdom and discernment.

"A Scripture-Shaped Story of Human Sexuality & Gender" - Jonathan Holmes

"Identity: What Is It and How Is It Formed?" - Jonathan Holmes"

Understanding the Landscape of Sexual Identity" - Part 1 - Jonathan Holmes

"Understanding the Landscape of Gender Identity" - Part 2 - Jonathan Holmes

"Story and Suffering: Understanding How a Painful World Impacts Our Hearts and Beliefs" - Ellen Dykas

"Desires and Life Expectations: How They Work Together to Shape Beliefs and Behavior" - Ellen Dykas

"Familial Concerns" - Ellen Dykas and Jonathan Holmes

Panel Discussion Q&A

Objective: The Conflict Resolution track traces conflict resolution from good (what allowed the relationship to initially build trust) to bad (what went wrong) to hard (why conflict is difficult to navigate) back to good (a restored, healthy normal). Participants in this track will gain an appreciation for the journey each of their counselee's is taking and biblical concepts / skills necessary to effectively walk alongside their counselee's on that journey.

"A Full Journey Perspective" - Brad Hambrick

“Experience and Heart When Deeply Hurt" - Alasdair Groves

“Helping People in Conflict Acknowledge the Limits of Their Perspective", Part 1 (Humbly Articulating/Acknowledging “Your” Perspective) - Jeremy Pierre

“Helping People in Conflict Acknowledge the Limits of Their Perspective", Part 2 (Lovingly Understanding “Their” Perspective) - Jeremy Pierre

“Clarity in the Conflict (3 types of conflict)" - Susan Thomas

"Forgiveness: The Pivotal Point in the Story" - Brad Hambrick

"Overcoming Anger and Releasing Bitterness" - Susan Thomas

Panel Discussion