Soul Care Information Form

Soul Care is gospel-centered and is the process of a Christian coming alongside another with words of truth to encourage, admonish, comfort, and help — words the Bible uses for how we are to help one another in our struggles — grounded in the saving work of Jesus Christ and presented in the context of relationship. The goal of this soul care is that the brother or sister in need of counsel would grow in his or her life and then respond in grateful obedience in every circumstance. It is primarily focused on changing the heart through the realization of what Christ has done for you which then leads to changes in behaviors and patterns.

We are eager to serve folks with all kinds of struggles. We come alongside those struggling in marriage, parents seeking help with their children, those dealing with sexual sin, and those struggling with their emotions (i.e. depression or anger). In all cases, we turn to the Bible to address the problems of life.

Not Professional Advice

Please understand that the person or persons with whom you meet are not licensed, professional counselors. We are Christians involved in the ministries of a local church, have been equipped with basic people-helping skills, and are willing to help you learn how to turn to God and His Word, the Bible, to address your life situations.

Although some of the pastoral or lay counselors of this church may be licensed in other fields, such as theology, medicine, or psychology, they do not practice as professionals as they serve with the Soul Care Team. In this role, they do not provide the same kind of professional advice and services that they do when they are hired in their professional capacities. Therefore, if you have significant legal, financial, medical, or other technical questions, you should seek advice from independent professionals not associated with WL. Our pastoral and lay discipleship counselors will be happy to cooperate with such advisors and help you consider their counsel in light of relevant biblical principles.

By signing this "Consent to Soul Care" you agree to hold Winona Lake Grace Church harmless in any and all matters associated with the biblical advice you have received.

Privacy
‍Everything will be held in strict confidence except, where, in the helper's judgment, there is biblical and/or legal requirement to involve others.

Confidentiality is an important aspect of the counseling process, and we will carefully guard the information you entrust to us. However, because we are continually training others to be effective discipleship counselors we ask that you agree to allow the possibility of counselors in training to be present during your sessions.

There are four other situations when it may be necessary for us to share certain information with others: (1) When a counselor is uncertain of how to address a particular problem and needs to seek advice from a pastor in this church; (2) when a counselor attends another church and it is necessary to talk with his or her pastor or elders; (3) when there is a clear indication that someone may be harmed unless we otherwise intervene; or (4) when a person persistently refuses to renounce a particular sin and it becomes necessary to seek the assistance of others in the church to encourage repentance and reconciliation (see Proverbs 15:22; 24:11; Matthew 18:15-20).  Please be assured that our counselors strongly prefer not to disclose personal information to others, and they will make every effort to help you find ways to resolve a problem as privately as possible.

Resolution of Conflicts
‍On rare occasions, a conflict may arise between counselor and counselor. In order to make sure that any such conflicts will be resolved in a biblically faithful manner, we require all of our counselor to agree that any dispute that arises with the counselor or with this church as a result of counseling will be settled with mediation within the church according to the principles of Scripture and the authority of this local church.

Having clarified the principles and policies of our counseling ministry, we welcome the opportunity to minister to you in the name of Christ and to be used by Him as He helps you to grow in spiritual maturity and prepares you for usefulness in His body. If you have any questions about these guidelines, please talk with the leaders of the Discipleship Counseling Team or a pastor of WL. If these guidelines are acceptable to you, please sign below.