Degree in Christian Counseling

Many Christians are serving in their church and are involved in Christian leadership at their church. This is a way of giving back to God. You may have a deep desire to minister to your fellow Christians in a very specialized way wanting to combine your faith with your interest in counseling. Many people call on their church to counsel them in their marriages, with issues concerning their children or with their finances.

Why a Degree is Important

Some individuals or couples may have been required by a court order to seek counseling. These people may want to have biblical counseling done at their local church. In some churches a pastor will offer to counsel their congregants but they do not have a specialized degree in Christian counseling and some courts may not accept this counseling. This is why it is important for a church to have a staff person who has a degree in Christian counseling. Having this degree offers credibility and legality to the counseling. All pastors and even some of their lay staff should have a degree in Christian counseling.

Some will go to a Professional Christian Counseling clinic where counseling is performed in accordance with professional regulations and guidelines, but also incorporates theological and biblical education in addition to psychological communication. Having a certificate or degree in Christian counseling is a way for a counselor interested in combining their faith with their counseling practice to become specialized.

Where to Earn a Degree in Christian Counseling?

There are many seminaries and colleges offering courses in Christian counseling.  Some may even offer their courses online.  It is important to research any school very carefully.  It is adamant that the college be accredited or the certificate or degree in Christian counseling may not be widely accepted or even valid.  These courses can be expensive.  Compare prices amongst the various schools or colleges.  But always be aware, you may get what you pay for at a less expensive school.  Read testimonials from former students.  Survey your friends and colleagues.  Find out where they earned their degrees.

Christian Counseling is a Gift

We all have God giving gifts. It is sometimes difficult to discern exactly what our gifts are. But if you truly believe that giving solid biblical and theological advice is your gift then you should positively get your degree in Christian counseling. You can be a valuable asset to your church staff or Christian counseling clinic and fellow Christians. God can speak through you to those you are ministering to.