At this juncture in time there are an increasingly large number of God s people who are suffering from unresolved problems; problems which cannot be resolved by making snap judgments, giving pat answers, or by using strong-arm techniques to get them to fit and function in a certain type of legalistic mold. What God s suffering people need as they wrestle with their issues and problems is help; real help from brothers and sisters in Christ who care enough to receive the training that is necessary to effectively bring God s truth to bear in their lives in such a way as to provide encouragement, hope, understanding, resolution, and guidance in the midst of their problems. Is God calling you to receive training which will enable you to be used as an instrument in His hands to help His hurting children? We truly hope so! Counseling Training: The key to ministering God s Word more effectively. Course Begins: September 15, 2015 Sessions will be conducted on consecutive Tuesday evenings from 7-9pm through April 26, 2016. A minimum of 25 students must register in order for the course to be offered. Where: The Cornerstone URC 6442-36th Avenue Hudsonville, MI 49426 Tuition Cost: $325.00 Non-member $275.00 Member Books/Materials Fee: $25.00 Tuition assistance may be available to IRBC members and congregants of member churches. Contact the IRBC office for more information. Registration Deadline: Sept. 1, 2015 Address: 6442-36th Avenue Hudsonville, Michigan 49426 Telephone: (616) 669-2190 Register on-line at: www.reformedbiblicalcounseling.org The IRBC Basic Training Course In Biblical Counseling 2015-16 The Institute for Reformed Biblical Counseling
7 Domains of Problems While the model of counseling IRBC promotes takes into account the fact that a large number of common counseling problems are rooted in unaltered personal sinful behaviors (in the Spiritual Domain) and severe organic problems such as organ damage and related dysfunctions (in the Bodily Domain), we believe that counselors are wise to evaluate five other areas as well. Thus we speak of The 7 Dominant Domains of Origin for Problems ; the seven domains being: The Spiritual Domain The Mental Domain The Emotional Domain The Social Domain The Bodily Domain The Environmental Domain The Production (or Labor) Domain One of IRBC s goals is to provide basic training in the philosophy and methodology of biblical counseling in a simple, clear, practical, time-effective, and cost effective manner. We believe our basic training course accomplishes this goal, and we are thankful for the way the Lord has led us thus far in its development. As for the time element, students fulfill the requirements for the course by reading the course textbooks and several articles from CCEF s Journal of Biblical Counseling, listening to several audio lectures at home, and attending class where they will listen to approximately 40 lectures. The core elements of IRBC s philosophy and methodology are presented in lectures delivered by Dr. Jeff Doll. Committed to Training Christians to Counsel in the Light of God s Truth The other lectures are delivered by Dr. Jim Newhuiser via DVD. Although students will not engage in the counseling process, they will watch videotaped counseling sessions led by various seasoned counselors so they can get the feel of biblical counseling. Fulfilling the requirements for the course will result in receiving a Certificate of Completion. While this certificate is not a counseling credential, it does qualify one to serve in the capacity of an IRBC Encourager to our member churches. The certificate also serves to officially verify that one has fulfilled the basic training requirements necessary for ACBC or IRBC certification. Registration form can be obtained online: www.reformedbiblicalcounseling.org
IRBC s Certificate Program in Biblical Counseling A certificate of completion will be granted to those fulfilling the following requirements: I. Complete the IBCD Basic Training Course via DVD with a group of no less than 5 people facilitated by the IRBC Director or an approved IRBC Basic Training Assistant. II. Complete the IRBC Biblical Counseling Methodology training course. All of those desiring to enroll in IRBC s Certificate Program in Biblical Counseling must fill out an application and sign a Doctrinal Statement and Commitment Form before they will be considered for acceptance in the program. Those desiring to receive a certificate of completion must fulfill reading and homework assignments. Regular attendance at the weekly group meetings is also required. A certificate of completion will not be awarded if a student possesses any unexcused absences. Although up to five excused absences will be granted over the time period the courses are offered, it is expected that students enrolled in the program will be present at as many sessions as possible, as this is a reflection of their dedication to learn important subject matter which will enable them to be more effective instruments in the hands of the Redeemer. Being present is also a reflection of one s appreciation for the insights and blessings received from the communion of the saints. If a session is missed, the student is required to listen to the lecture(s) which were covered via of an internet download.
Application for Admission Name Address City Home Phone Birth Date Residential Business State Zip Office Cell E-Mail Address Spouse Name and ages of children Name of church where you are a member Church Address City/State Zip Pastor s name (if you are not the pastor) Pastor s phone number Pastor s E-Mail On a separate sheet of paper please answer the following questions: 1. Tell us about yourself and your family. Are they in favor of your receiving this training? 2. Tell us about your church and your involvement. Are you a professing church member? Do you hold any leadership positions there? 3. Explain why you wish to study with us. 4. How and under what auspices do you plan to use this training? 5. Describe your doctrinal disposition. What changes (if any) have you made in your doctrine as a result of your studies and growth? 6. List and describe both your educational and ministry experiences. Do you have any post-secondary degrees? If so, from where? 7. What other abilities, skills, hobbies, interests, or experience do you have?
8. (a) Where do you work and what do you do there? (Note: We consider homemaking a high and noble vocational calling.) Please write retired if applicable. (b) If married, where does your spouse work? (c) If you are unemployed, how long have you been unemployed? Are you actively seeking employment? 9. How did you hear about our program? How else could we have made you aware of IRBC programs and services? 10. Is there anything else you feel we should know about you? Doctrinal Statement and Commitment Form I believe in God who exists in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I believe in the Deity of Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, His sinless life, the substitutionary nature of His death, His bodily resurrection from the dead, His ascension into heaven, and the certainty of His second coming. I believe in the Sovereignty of God and hold firmly to the doctrine of Election and Reprobation. I believe in the authority, the inerrancy, the verbal, plenary inspiration, and the sufficiency of the Scriptures to equip the man of God for every good work including everything that pertains to life and godliness. I believe that salvation is by grace alone apart from any work, baptism, or sacrament on the part of the believer. I believe in the immortality of the soul and in a literal heaven and hell. I believe the local church is God s plan and method for accomplishing His work among men in our age and that all believers are to place themselves under the care and authority of a biblically organized church.
Commitment 1. I understand that by signing this form I am in agreement with the doctrinal statement above and am committed to being in regular attendance at the sessions comprising the IRBC Certificate Program in Biblical Counseling. I further understand that if I drop out of the program before completion I will forfeit all tuition and fees paid to IRBC. I also understand that the Institute may return my tuition and discontinue my enrollment in the program at any time for reasons sufficient unto itself. 2. I declare that it is my intention to use what I learn within the context of and under the authority of a local church ministry. I am now a member in good standing of a local confessionally reformed congregation and am not now under the discipline of any local church (whether I am now a member of the disciplining church or not). 3. I promise not to duplicate, or allow anyone else to duplicate, the Diagnostic, Prescription, and Teaching Manual (DPTM I). (Copies of the DPTM I may be purchased at the IRBC office.) X Date