What is Discipleship/Counseling at Grace Ministries?
Discipleship Counseling is Christ-centered counseling that seeks to bridge the often common gap between a Christian's personal life struggles and circumstances, and living from the "new heart" that God gave them. It teaches how to integrate God's truth into our everyday living so that we will more fully discover and experience the abundant life we have in Jesus.
Who Can Pursue Discipleship/Counseling?
Any adult who wishes to pursue greater freedom, joy, rest, and peace in their life may call GM.
How do I pursue help from Grace Ministries?
The person desiring discipleship/counseling must make the first call to the office seeking information. We respect an individual's privacy and find it necessary to discuss their individual needs with them personally. The person must be willing to take the steps necessary for the process to begin.
Information is recorded when they call, and a packet sent to them. They are asked to mail or fax the enclosed questionnaire to GM. Once received, the Director of Discipleship/Counseling will call to schedule an assessment appointment with them. During this appointment they will meet with the Director to discuss their situation and determine how GM can best address their needs.
Our Director of Discipleship/Counseling may recommend the personal discipleship/counseling meetings with a counselor of the same gender. They will need to commit to come to a weekly scheduled appointment during our office hours 9-5, Monday-Friday.
It may also be recommended they pursue several types of learning opportunities that we offer. They are as follows and are described in more detail in our ministry brochures.
- Grace Life Conference (one Friday night and one Saturday)
- Introduction to the Grace Life Institute (1 night a month for 4 months)
- Grace Life Institute (15 weeks, one night per week)
- Advanced Training (10 weeks, during office hours)
How long does the individual discipleship process take?
Depending on the nature of the problem, an individual can count on between ten and twenty visits. Each session will last about an hour; on occasion it may last longer.
What is the cost of the individual appointments?
GM operates on a donation basis for the personal, individual appointments. We will ask a counselee to contribute at the end of each session, including the assessment appointment ($75/hour). There is a charge for books and tapes that are assigned for homework. The counselee may also be asked to take a Taylor Johnson Temperament Analysis at a cost of $25.
What about confidentiality?
The communication between a counselee and our staff is considered confidential. Records will not be released outside of Grace Ministries without one's written consent.
