 What is Counseling?
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Above is the cover of a brochure I've been working on this past year to help communicate the ministry of Journey in Christ to potential ministry partners, including pastors and business leaders. You can view this brochure by clicking the following link.
Journey in Christ is initially perceived to be a counseling ministry. And there is nothing wrong with that. However, counseling from the heart of Christ with the Word of God is more profoundly defined as discipleship.
WORLD-CENTERED COUNSELING
Counseling from a worldly perspective starts with a premise that something is wrong with you. You may have heard this before, "Something is wrong with you, you need counseling."
Worldly counseling is knowledge-based and advises you in what to do. Worldly counseling seeks to change behavior and circumstances, which is an outside-in focus.
CHRIST-CENTERED COUNSELING
In contrast to starting with a premise that something is wrong with you, Christ-centered counseling starts with a promise that something is right with you!
There may be something wrong with how you are relating to people, circumstances, chemical substances, thoughts, or feelings. However, through your identification with Christ in His cross and resurrection, there is nothing wrong with you -- in fact, there is something gloriously right with you!
So, at Journey in Christ, we start where God starts -- the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ for you and in you! This is the foundation of biblical counseling. This is discipleship.
Christ-centered counseling is faith-based and teaches truth from God's Word. Christ-centered counseling does not advise you in what to do, but shares God's living Word with you and then entrusts you to personally relate to God through Christ. Christ is indeed the Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6)!
In contrast to having a focus on changing behavior and circumstances, Christ-centered counseling focuses on transforming beliefs in the midst of circumstances that may or may not change. This is an inside-out focus.
God has already completely transformed you at the core of who you are! You have a new spiritual heart, a new identity. You are a new creation united with Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). You have a core foundation from which God personally builds you up in His dear Son.
So, discipleship is your journey and my journey for the remainder of our
earth-days to experience God building His Word upon the foundation of our hearts so we can stand firm in Christ no matter what is wrong around us.
God bless your discipleship journey this week!
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DISCIPLESHIP IMAGES
Below are two images that struck me as vivid descriptions of Christ-centered counseling and biblical discipleship.
The first image reminds me of a man coming alongside a hurting brother in Christ, to walk with his brother for a while, to share truths along the way. The fog can represent circumstances clouding the man's mind. Yet, there is a glow of God's light, representing God's presence with His hurting child and His child's healing companion. This is a glow of hope!
This second image helps me see the more profound reality that God not only walks alongside me, but I am united with Him! I'm going through an unusually tough circumstance at this time, but I know that God firmly has me in His grip, despite what my unreliable feelings seem to tell me.
For you see, I love discipling others, but I need discipling, too. I'm glad we're in this together! I am so grateful for you and for all of the body of Christ through which God has designed for us to come alongside each other. Each of us ruly are in the grip of grace, a firm hold by a nail-scarred hand during confusing and trying circumstances. This is a hand of hope!
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About 
Discipleship through
Counseling
Teaching
Training
Gregg Gibbons
Pastoral Director
Michael Chalmers
Training Director
Kellie Boggs
Fellowship Director
Joy Gibbons
Ministry Assistant and women's ministry coordinator
Carole Blyth
Board member and women's ministry coordinator
Randy Garrick
Board member and Elder Holly Ridge Baptist Church
Paul Crews
Board member and Pastor Mountain Creek Baptist Church
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Partnership
I believe with all my heart that ministry is through relationships.
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you for your partnership in the gospel (Philippians 1:3, 5).
Links to my recent ministry newsletters that describe my heart for partnerships:
YouTube link below of my ministry commissioning service that included testimonies from several partners, including Bobby Richardson, former 2nd baseman for the NY Yankees.
Please contact me to learn more about partnering with me. I'd love to hear from you!
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Ministry News Next 8-month Advanced Discipleship Training to start January 2013. Click link below for details of the 2012 ADT!
Gregg teaches freedom from anger through Christ at the Haven of Rest mission in Anderson, SC Mondays 6:00-6:45 pm. You are welcome to attend with Gregg anytime!
Gregg is mentoring men and couples in an office provided by Holly Ridge Baptist Church in Simpsonville SC and at an industrial plant in Duncan SC.
Michael is mentoring men and couples in an office provided by Mountain Creek Baptist Church, Pendleton Street Baptist Church,
and Earle Street Baptist Church
all in Greenville SC.
Journey in Christ will be providing more discipleship training to female employees at an industrial plant in August and September.
Gregg will be filling the pulpit for the pastor of Unity Baptist Church in Simpsonville SC on July 8.
Journey in Christ recently completed our first of 8 months of Advanced Discipleship Training. The focus was "Concept of God."
Michael has been requested to teach a couples retreat for Mountain Creek Baptist Church this Fall.
Journey in Christ will be teaching a Grace Life Conference August 3-4 in Greenville SC. More details later!
Journey in Christ is hosting a fellowship celebration at McPherson Park in downtown Greenville SC, Tuesday evening June 26. Everyone is welcome!
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Archives Link for Rest Stops
since August 2010:
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Contact Info
JOURNEY IN CHRIST, INC.
926 N.E. Main Street
Suite F-155
Simpsonville SC 29681
(864) 483-3201 (Gregg cell)
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