Counseling Ministry
EKKLESIA BIBLE INSTITUTE
FAITH CENTER
How Do I Know Jesus?
Why are we here and what are we supposed to do with our lives? Well you've come to the right place.
Tools of the Biblical Counselor
Our indispensable tools in helping you achieve healthy relationships are the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God and prayer. Through evangelism and discipleship we comfort the hurting, help the depressed, calm the angry and guide the prideful toward God's will in their lives.
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To ensure that your counseling sessions are the most beneficial, couples are assigned to counseling teams to bring the male and female perspective to your counseling experience. And individuals are assigned to a counselor of the same sex to ensure the dignity of the person is protected at all times. You will learn how to share values, trust, and build intimacy in relationships through fellowship with the Holy Spirit; and how to become reconciled in spirit, mind and love by reflecting the attitude of Christ in your relationships with others.
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Personal Characteristics Desired in Counselors
* Personal commitment to Jesus Christ.
* Baptized.
* Bible knowledge and application of principle.
* Morals, ethics, and behavior consistent with Scripture.
* Stability and brokenness as evidence of spiritual and emotional maturity.
* Ability to counsel - e.g. nurturing, self-disclosing, reflective, sensitive, able to deal with strong emotions.
* Personal warmth and caring.
* Ability to communicate clearly and listen attentively.
* Endorses EBIFC's theological beliefs and Statement of Faith.
* Ability to work well with others, receives direction, and receives helpful criticism.
* Committed to the required training program and a minimum of one year of service in the Lay Counseling Program.
Ministry Principles
The Biblical term "covenant" describes Christians' sacred relationships with the Triune God, His Church and one another. At EBIFC, these loving relationships characterize how we learn, live and serve.
Seven principles to learn:
The Word
The Bible is clear about the teaching and preaching of God's Word in the exaltation of our Lord, the building up of the Church, the maturing of Christians, and the extending of His Kingdom. At EBIFC, a commitment to equipping the saints, in accordance with Holy Scripture, serves as a foundational ministry principle to fulfill our purpose and desire to be salt and light in our community and throughout the world, "that in all things Christ might have the preeminence" (Col 1:18).
Each Sunday morning affords an opportunity to benefit from the hearing and faithful preaching of Scripture as our Pastor/Teacher Jasper presents in-depth and relevant studies in the books of the Bible, together with practical application for the daily Christian walk.
As an extension of our pulpit ministry, Pastor Jasper presents expositions from God's Word each Tuesday and Wednesday. Sermon tapes are available to our members and guests weekly.
Our form of doctrine is Scriptural. That means we believe in the Trinity, the Word of God, and that salvation comes solely through the sovereign grace of God-apart from any works or merit of our own.
The Church
EBIFC seeks to be Scriptural in both its government and its doctrine. This means "presbyters," or elders, govern the local church. There are two kinds of elders: teaching elders who minister the Word, and ruling elders who shepherd the flock. A second church office is filled by deacons, who also stand for the purpose of fulfilling their call to serve alongside elders and lay leaders in the administration of the church and its ministry areas.
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Worship
Together, we seek to "bless the Lord" in His house through corporate worship.
In addition to the preaching of God's Word, worship services at EBIFC include a blend of music styles from the time-honored hymns of the faith to contemporary choruses. The objective of worship at EBIFC is to exalt God as Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer. Therefore, we eagerly seek to offer music and worship with an excellence that would bring honor to His holy name. The Sunday Evening Fellowship Hour at EBIFC is a relaxed time together as God's Word is again preached and we as a church family use hymns and spiritual songs of praise along with contemporary music to glorify God, encourage one another and magnify the message of salvation by grace in God the Father through His Son our Savior Jesus Christ and by the Holy Spirit.
Outreach Discipleship
At EBIFC, we believe our thankful response to God's invitation to know Him, through His Son, is to seek to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ, to abide in Him and to share this life with others.
Our Sunday worship is just one of many opportunities at EBIFC to learn about God's Word, to disciple, or to be discipled. Relationships built in Sunday school and small groups are open doors to learning and sharing with others that each may "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Relationships Through Communities
In the Bible, God presents His model for the church, offering examples of believers who gathered for worship in both large and small group settings. Meeting together in homes, the early Church recognized the need to develop significant relationships that would provide instruction, encouragement and accountability for the Christian. That's why, since its inception, EBIFC has promoted the involvement of its membership in Sunday School Communities, in small groups and in corporate worship.
Congregational community is entered into primarily through the Sunday school classes and our extensive small group ministry. These communities provide a regular fellowship where meaningful friendships, spiritual growth, and ministry opportunities are created. There are also special events throughout the year, such as the church picnic, Wednesday-night family fellowship, that are designed to create an environment where community can flourish.
Ministry and Service
Because the church is a people and not a building, the involvement of its members in the life and work of this body is vital. The Bible states that the Lord has given each of us particular gifts and talents to be used in the service of His people. There are many opportunities for service here. Each of the ministries at EBIFC has specific needs for leaders and volunteers so that there is both a place and a role for each member and his or her gifts.
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