Statement of Faith & General Concerns
Are a Biblical Worldview and Professional Counseling Incompatible?
The short answer is no, they are not incompatible. As professional counselors we all have to learn about the history of our field and how it has grown over time into what we know today. That is simply part of the educational requirements. Having said that, just because we have to learn it, does not mean all believe what has transpired before us was done right or well. It is just how we got to where we are now. But each counselor is an individual and will bring their own uniqueness into the therapy room.
At Hope Harbor, we have purposed, and with great intentional design, have chosen to be a Christian Counseling Center. At the same time, if a client is not willing or ready to discuss deep spiritual matters we will meet them exactly where they are without judgment. We have seen the approach of love, grace and mercy to be far more powerful than shaming a person who has doubts or no belief at all. Our perspective is that God is more concerned about the client who is experiencing whatever life-trials they are facing. If you choose our counselors you will find someone who will walk along side of you and meet you exactly where you are.
We have had clients who desire to bring God into the counseling experience and we have had clients who want nothing to do with God in the discussion. We are okay with that too. We believe that you do not have to quote chapter and verse to present Godly and Biblical principles. Example: I do not have to quote Exodus chapter 20 to tell a couple that an affair will NOT help their marriage. The principle can be shared without the chapter/verse reference. We believe the power of God’s word can stand alone. The principles and teachings are timeless. If a client is not at a place where they want to discuss God or religious ideas, we are okay with that too. I believe if we are not able to live the Gospel message and principles in our daily lives, and in our therapy rooms, without having to quote Bible chapter and verse then we failed to understand the message of Christ. It is the difference of “tell me what you believe” and “show me what you believe”. We have found that clients care little about the rhetoric; they want to know that we are trustworthy to unload their burdens and love them in spite of their struggles. That is our primary goal for the clients—to build a trusting rapport so that they can begin to process their concerns.
For those who want more specifics about what we believe:
We believe:
1. ...that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the complete Word of God, fully inspired, without error in the original manuscripts, and the infallible rule of faith and practice of the Judeo-Christian faith.
2. ...that there is ONE living and true God, eternally existing in three persons - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit - equal in power and glory; that this triune God created all, upholds all, and governs all.
3. ...in Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit, and His birth from a virgin mother. We believe in His miracles and teachings, His sinless life, substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and His future personal, visible return to earth.
4. ...in the Holy Spirit, who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower for ministry all who believe in Christ; we believe the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Jesus Christ and that He is an abiding Guide and Helper who produces the fruit of Christ-like character in the believer. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and in the exercise of all the Biblical gifts of the Spirit.
5. ...that all humans are sinners and need a radical salvation which God alone can provide through Jesus Christ. We believe that men must repent of violating God's standards, trust in the risen Lord Jesus alone for salvation, and receive Him as Lord. Works have no part in salvation but are the fruits of obedience. The first major step of obedience is baptism in water.
6. ...God purposes and provides for a Christ-like life of holiness, power, and love for all believers. The out working of this life involves an undivided devotion to the Lord Jesus and His Word.
7. ...in the universal church, the living spiritual body, of which Christ is the Head. The true Church is composed of all such persons who through saving faith in Jesus Christ, have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are united together in the body of Christ. We further believe in local churches, in which God intends all believers to be a functioning part. The local church assembles primarily to worship God, build up the believers, celebrate the Lord's Supper, carry out the Great Commission, and minister to the poor and the sick.
8. ...in the personal, visible, and imminent return of Christ to earth and the consummation of His Kingdom; in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, the eternal blessing of the righteous, and the endless suffering of the wicked.
9. ...that the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only ground for justification and salvation for all who believe, and only such as receive Jesus Christ are born of the Holy Spirit and, thus, become children of God.
10. ...that water baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances to be observed by the Church during the present age. They are, however, not to be regarded as a means to salvation.
11. ...that marriage is biblically defined as being between one man and one woman. We believe that any sexual relations outside of a biblically defined marriage are sinful. This would include pre-marital sex, extra-marital sex, and homosexual relations.
Disclaimer: Hope Harbor's hiring practices and EEO Statement are fully in compliance with both federal and state law. Federal law creates an exception to the “religion” component of the employment discrimination laws for religious organizations, and permits them to give employment preference to members of their own religion. Hope Harbor Counseling PLLC is a Christian counseling center and in that category.
The short answer is no, they are not incompatible. As professional counselors we all have to learn about the history of our field and how it has grown over time into what we know today. That is simply part of the educational requirements. Having said that, just because we have to learn it, does not mean all believe what has transpired before us was done right or well. It is just how we got to where we are now. But each counselor is an individual and will bring their own uniqueness into the therapy room.
At Hope Harbor, we have purposed, and with great intentional design, have chosen to be a Christian Counseling Center. At the same time, if a client is not willing or ready to discuss deep spiritual matters we will meet them exactly where they are without judgment. We have seen the approach of love, grace and mercy to be far more powerful than shaming a person who has doubts or no belief at all. Our perspective is that God is more concerned about the client who is experiencing whatever life-trials they are facing. If you choose our counselors you will find someone who will walk along side of you and meet you exactly where you are.
We have had clients who desire to bring God into the counseling experience and we have had clients who want nothing to do with God in the discussion. We are okay with that too. We believe that you do not have to quote chapter and verse to present Godly and Biblical principles. Example: I do not have to quote Exodus chapter 20 to tell a couple that an affair will NOT help their marriage. The principle can be shared without the chapter/verse reference. We believe the power of God’s word can stand alone. The principles and teachings are timeless. If a client is not at a place where they want to discuss God or religious ideas, we are okay with that too. I believe if we are not able to live the Gospel message and principles in our daily lives, and in our therapy rooms, without having to quote Bible chapter and verse then we failed to understand the message of Christ. It is the difference of “tell me what you believe” and “show me what you believe”. We have found that clients care little about the rhetoric; they want to know that we are trustworthy to unload their burdens and love them in spite of their struggles. That is our primary goal for the clients—to build a trusting rapport so that they can begin to process their concerns.
For those who want more specifics about what we believe:
We believe:
1. ...that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the complete Word of God, fully inspired, without error in the original manuscripts, and the infallible rule of faith and practice of the Judeo-Christian faith.
2. ...that there is ONE living and true God, eternally existing in three persons - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit - equal in power and glory; that this triune God created all, upholds all, and governs all.
3. ...in Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit, and His birth from a virgin mother. We believe in His miracles and teachings, His sinless life, substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and His future personal, visible return to earth.
4. ...in the Holy Spirit, who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower for ministry all who believe in Christ; we believe the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Jesus Christ and that He is an abiding Guide and Helper who produces the fruit of Christ-like character in the believer. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and in the exercise of all the Biblical gifts of the Spirit.
5. ...that all humans are sinners and need a radical salvation which God alone can provide through Jesus Christ. We believe that men must repent of violating God's standards, trust in the risen Lord Jesus alone for salvation, and receive Him as Lord. Works have no part in salvation but are the fruits of obedience. The first major step of obedience is baptism in water.
6. ...God purposes and provides for a Christ-like life of holiness, power, and love for all believers. The out working of this life involves an undivided devotion to the Lord Jesus and His Word.
7. ...in the universal church, the living spiritual body, of which Christ is the Head. The true Church is composed of all such persons who through saving faith in Jesus Christ, have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are united together in the body of Christ. We further believe in local churches, in which God intends all believers to be a functioning part. The local church assembles primarily to worship God, build up the believers, celebrate the Lord's Supper, carry out the Great Commission, and minister to the poor and the sick.
8. ...in the personal, visible, and imminent return of Christ to earth and the consummation of His Kingdom; in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, the eternal blessing of the righteous, and the endless suffering of the wicked.
9. ...that the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only ground for justification and salvation for all who believe, and only such as receive Jesus Christ are born of the Holy Spirit and, thus, become children of God.
10. ...that water baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances to be observed by the Church during the present age. They are, however, not to be regarded as a means to salvation.
11. ...that marriage is biblically defined as being between one man and one woman. We believe that any sexual relations outside of a biblically defined marriage are sinful. This would include pre-marital sex, extra-marital sex, and homosexual relations.
Disclaimer: Hope Harbor's hiring practices and EEO Statement are fully in compliance with both federal and state law. Federal law creates an exception to the “religion” component of the employment discrimination laws for religious organizations, and permits them to give employment preference to members of their own religion. Hope Harbor Counseling PLLC is a Christian counseling center and in that category.