Soul Care Culture: Developing a Church-Wide Culture of Biblical Soul Care

Have you felt discouraged by a lack of progress or traction in a particular counseling case? I think we can all say that our busy schedule doesn’t allow us to offer more intensive, frequent counseling to those who have stalled out or need more support than a weekly session. That is why I am so grateful for intensive counseling retreats. These are intended for your most difficult cases. The counselors at these retreats focus on getting to the heart of the issue and offering a plan of action moving forward. And, there is no better person than Scott O’Malley to discuss the topic of intensive counseling retreats. Scott is the Executive Director at Twelve Stones, a non-profit biblical counseling ministry that specializes in 3-day intensive counseling retreats that equip people to create lasting change. In this episode, we discuss what a 3-day intensive counseling retreat entails, lessons Scott has learned in his years as a counselor, the phases of counseling at a retreat, and more! Show Notes: bcmnational.org/scott-omalley-22

In today's conversation, we are taking on the topic of psychologies and how that interacts with Biblical Counseling. Dr. Ernie Baker serves as the Pastor of Counseling Supervision and Equipping at First Baptist of Jacksonville. He has a Doctor of Ministry from Westminster Theological Seminary and is a professor at The Master’s University, where he serves as the chair of the online Biblical Counseling program. In this episode, we discuss psychologies, what the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is, how to work out your convictions regarding these topics, and the sufficiency of Scripture. You won’t want to miss this conversation, especially if you have not yet wrestled with your own viewpoint on the topic of psychology. Show Notes: https://bcmnational.org/ernie-baker-21

In this episode, I’m sharing a conversation with Nate & Derah Schellenberg about residential ministry. Nate & Derah have been deeply involved with this type of ministry for years, and they bring their extensive wisdom to our discussion today! Sometimes, there's a need to address life-dominating sin through more intensive discipleship and counseling. If a situation requires more resources than a church can offer, residential programs can step in to model discipleship for those in need. Nate is currently participating in a Biblical Counseling internship at Liberty Bible Church, and Derah shares insights from the time her family spent living on a residential ministry property. Don't miss their insight in this episode! Show Notes: https://bcmnational.org/nate-derah-20

In this episode, I’m sharing a conversation recorded with Paul and Tara Forgette live from the Faith Conference in Lafayette, IN. Paul is the Senior Pastor at Rock Creek Bible Church in Congerville, IL. He and his wife Tara recently took a week away from the responsibilities of church ministry to go through Track 1 at the Faith Conference with two other couples from their church. In our conversation, Paul and Tara talked about their experience at the conference, the value of bringing others from their congregation, and the groundwork the Faith Conference established for a culture of SoulCare™ at their church. Show Notes: https://bcmnational.org/paul-tara-19

Today, I’m sharing a conversation with Kendall & Davett Coffman. We’re talking about the Customized Blueprint Solution™, specifically Project 2: Discovery and Design. Kendall is the Senior Pastor at Lexington Community Church just north of Bloomington-Normal, IL. I’m grateful for how Kendall and Davett have shared so honestly about their experience going through Step 2 of our program and BCM’s impact on their family personally. More and more, I’m learning to appreciate the level of trust it requires for pastors to allow a parachurch organization to come in and see an honest picture of what’s working well and what needs attention. In this conversation, we talk about the challenges and rewards of receiving feedback and the vision of growing a church community devoted to a culture of soul care. Show Notes: https://bcmnational.org/kendall-davett-coffman-18

Today, I’m sharing another conversation with my good friend, Mike Wickens. Last time, we discussed the heavy topic of abuse, and today, we’re following up with a closely related topic: suffering. We dive into the mystery of why suffering exists, a sovereign, good God who doesn’t stop suffering, how to love suffering people, and best practices for pastors who are ministering to those in pain. Mike has been studying in the biblical counseling realm and soul care space for many years. Since 2017, he has served as Associate Pastor of Biblical Counseling at Southern View Chapel in Springfield, IL. He’s also the director of the Springfield Center for Biblical Counseling, which is a certified training center for the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC). Since starting his counseling journey in 2010, Mike has experienced the burden and reward of shepherding people who have experienced abuse. Through our conversation, he helps us gain perspective on biblical suffering, observations about how to suffer well (or not), and resources for those on the front lines providing guidance to those who suffer. Show Notes: https://bcmnational.org/mike-wickens-17

FYI: This episode does contain mentions and stories of mature topics and includes references to sexual abuse by family members. Abuse is an issue that’s becoming more and more prevalent for pastors to need to navigate. My conversation with Mike Wickens is geared towards pastors who find themselves providing support in these complex, heavy situations. Mike has been studying in the biblical counseling realm and soul care space for many years. Since 2017, he has served as Associate Pastor of Biblical Counseling at Southern View Chapel in Springfield, IL. He’s also the director of the Springfield Center for Biblical Counseling, which is a certified training center for the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC). Since starting his counseling journey in 2010, Mike has experienced the burden and reward of shepherding people who have experienced abuse. Through our conversation, he shares practical advice and resources for those on the front lines providing support in these challenging circumstances. Show Notes: https://bcmnational.org/mike-wickens-16

This is the second part of my conversation with Colton Conover. The last episode was all about addiction and life-dominating sin. This time around we are focusing on the reality of spiritual warfare and how to effectively minister and reach lost people. Colton Conover is an Intern Pastor at Pekin Bible Church. He worked as a pest control technician before transitioning into full-time ministry. Colton struggled with drug addiction for over a decade and was hostile toward anything related to Christ. In this episode, Colton shares more of his story of transformation, experiencing true freedom in Christ, the vital role the church community has to play, and more! You don't want to miss this conversation. Show Notes: https://bcmnational.org/colton-conover-15

FYI: This episode does contain mentions and stories involving demons. If you normally listen around children or need a heads-up about that topic, we wanted to give that to you. This is part one of two, all about addiction and life-dominating sin. I have the privilege of being joined by a guest who understands this space all too well. He has such a beautiful testimony of going from being stuck in life-dominating sin to now being a pastoral intern. Colton Conover is an Intern Pastor at Pekin Bible Church. He worked as a pest control technician before transitioning into full-time ministry. Colton struggled with drug addiction for over a decade and was hostile toward anything related to Christ. In this episode, Colton shares his life story from growing up in a Christian home, struggling with a life-dominating sin, how to love someone living in sin, and more! Show Notes: https://bcmnational.org/colton-conover-14

We are following up on last week’s episode with Christi Thach by having her husband, Keith, join us. Christi was open and vulnerable about her experience of biblical SoulCare™ through a difficult time in her life. In this episode, Keith shares what it was like to watch his wife walk through biblical SoulCare, how it built bridges of trust with him, the personal effect biblical SoulCare had on his life, and more! Show Notes: https://bcmnational.org/keith-thach-13

We are talking about biblical soul care from a bit of a different perspective today, and that is the perspective from the pews. Biblical soul care shouldn’t remain solely with your staff; it needs to reach all the way to the pews. My friend and co-worker, Christi Thach, has a God-glorifying story about trusting the Church when she was going through a difficult time. Christi is also our Process Innovation Manager at BCM and has a Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology with a major in Family Studies. She has been supporting biblical soul care in her church and surrounding area since 2016. In this episode, you’ll hear Christi’s personal experience of receiving biblical soul care, what she wishes pastors would know about their congregation, some of the unseen ways we can care for our congregation, and more! Show Notes: https://bcmnational.org/christi-thach-12

Money. It’s one of the most dreaded topics for many pastors and church leaders. When we talk about money, it can feel like people will interpret it as self-serving and self-motivating, which leads many pastors to avoid the topic altogether. I am joined by long-time friend and financial planner by profession, Jeff Huizenga. Jeff is a Partner and Director of Wealth Strategies at David Vaughan Investments. In this episode, Jeff helps us navigate what the Bible has to say about money, proper stewardship of our finances, how to talk about money in your church, and so much more. This is such an important topic, and we encourage you to listen in! Show Notes: https://bcmnational.org/jeff-huizenga-11

We are so excited to have Josh Gerber back with us to continue our conversation on mediation and peacemaking. In case you missed it, don’t forget to go back and listen to Episode 9. Josh is not only the Associate Pastor of Care and Discipleship at New Castle Bible Church in Mackinaw, IL, but he is an expert in both biblical soul care and reconciliation. In this episode, Josh talks more about the process of preparing for mediation, how forgiveness is at the heart of Christianity, and much more. Thank you for listening in! Show Notes: https://bcmnational.org/josh-gerber-10

As a pastor, church leader, and in your biblical counseling, you meet with people every week who are hurting and confused. In this episode, we discuss an aspect of biblical soul care that can be difficult if you are not equipped and can burden your soul greatly – mediation. Mediation has some similarities to biblical counseling, but there are also some key differences in how it is executed and its purpose. Joining to help explain more about mediation and its benefits in biblical counseling is Josh Gerber. Josh is not only the Associate Pastor of Care and Discipleship at New Castle Bible Church in Mackinaw, IL, but he is an expert in both biblical soul care and reconciliation. Show Notes: https://bcmnational.org/josh-gerber-9

Restoration. If a church doesn’t practice this, then it will be difficult, if not impossible, for that church to have a culture of biblical soul care. Thankfully, it’s our topic of discussion for today! My guest, Jason Alligood, has put a lot of time into studying this topic. Jason is an author, elder, and teaching pastor at Fellowship Bible Church in Peoria, Illinois. In this episode, he helps us understand the ministry of restoration and the connection between church discipline and a culture of biblical soul care. Show Notes: https://bcmnational.org/jason-alligood-8

Do you feel burdened in bringing biblical soul care to your church? We’ve found that many pastors want to do this but feel alone in their efforts to try to accomplish it. They either don’t know what steps to take or feel like they need to do everything themselves to create a culture of soul care. The solution? You have to come to a place of trust with other people to guide and help you execute the ministry of soul care, and you have to understand the roles you need support in. I’m joined by Ben Busenitz today as we discuss the different roles on your biblical care team and how trust plays a factor in building your ministry. Show Notes: https://bcmnational.org/ben-busenitz-7

As we continue to discuss the practical application of biblical soul care at your church, Pastor Tom Zobrist joins me in this episode. Our conversation focuses on finding trusted people within your congregation to help you provide soul care. In this episode, we're exploring what that looks like! As a pastor or church leader, your days are already filled to the max with responsibilities and shepherding your people. While you may be able to be the sole provider of soul care in your church for a season, in order for your church to grow and embrace a culture of soul care you need to trust others to help provide it. Show Notes: https://bcmnational.org/tom-zobrist-6

Kari Gross joins us for another episode! Today we are discussing how Sunday School came into the Church, the importance of shepherding our child’s heart, and the connection to creating a culture of biblical soul care in your church. For much of this podcast, we have focused on biblical soul care within your church. In this episode, we are talking about the implications a culture of biblical soul care should have in the home and how we as pastors and church leaders can support parents in caring for the soul of each of their children. Show Notes: https://bcmnational.org/kari-gross-5/

Chad Nightingale rejoins us to lend his expertise as a Church Care Partner. In our past episodes, we’ve covered some of the basics of what soul care is and some steps to take to create a culture of soul care. In this episode, we are talking about our Church Partner Network. We’ll share what it is, how it can benefit you, and how we can support each other as we continue to pursue a culture of soul care. Show Notes: https://bcmnational.org/chad-nightingale-4

What does it actually mean to have a culture of biblical soul care? It's an important question, and thankfully we have Kent Kloter joining us to help us navigate this today! Kent serves as a church care partner with BCM, but he has been practicing the ministry of biblical counseling since 1999. Kent and I are going to discuss what it means to create a culture of biblical soul care. There are many people who would say they have a ministry of biblical counseling or they have several biblical counselors in their church. But we want to emphasize the difference between creating a ministry versus creating a culture of biblical soul care. Show Notes: https://bcmnational.org/kent-kloter-3