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Competent Christian Counseling, Volume One: Foundations and Practice of Compassionate Soul Care
The authoritative new reference guide that equips counselors, pastors and church leaders, and caregivers for an effective ministry of soul care.
Under the guidance of the highly respected American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC), more than 40 leading Christian professionals have come together to provide this comprehensive, authoritative, and up-to-date reference guide for professional and lay counselors, pastors, and leaders in training.
Competent Christian Counseling offers you:
• the best contributions on spiritual formation and pastoral care from Scripture as well as from giants of church history
• the latest research, theory, and successful practice methods in Christian counseling
• a practical, 21st century model of Christian counseling that is not only “counselor friendly,” but also facilitates effective, biblical client change--all geared to help people mature in the ways and wisdom of Jesus Christ.
Competent Christian Counseling, edited by Timothy Clinton and George Ohlschlager, is destined to be regarded for years to come as the authoritative, trustworthy resource for Christian counseling.
Under the guidance of the highly respected American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC), more than 40 leading Christian professionals have come together to provide this comprehensive, authoritative, and up-to-date reference guide for professional and lay counselors, pastors, and leaders in training.
Competent Christian Counseling offers you:
• the best contributions on spiritual formation and pastoral care from Scripture as well as from giants of church history
• the latest research, theory, and successful practice methods in Christian counseling
• a practical, 21st century model of Christian counseling that is not only “counselor friendly,” but also facilitates effective, biblical client change--all geared to help people mature in the ways and wisdom of Jesus Christ.
Competent Christian Counseling, edited by Timothy Clinton and George Ohlschlager, is destined to be regarded for years to come as the authoritative, trustworthy resource for Christian counseling.
832 pages, Hardcover
First published April 16, 2002
25 people are currently reading
258 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 9, 2020
3.5 stars from a non counselor. It was what it set out to be: an overview of Christian counseling in 2000. I had a few favorite chapters, though a fair amount was dry. It took me 9 months to read it.
March 9, 2019
If I could rate this book in the negatives, I would.
This book is a shameful, piteous attempt at good theology in Christian counselling. I wish I was kidding when I quote from the book that they encourage you that "The most important instrument you have to help [people] is YOU," and to "invite the Holy Spirit into your imagination."
Although at the end of the book they declare that their goal for Christian counselling is unity, this book is so unbelievably disjointed in teaching and belief that it makes me skeptical as to how hard they're really trying. This book is a compilation, written by many different authors. While some of them had valid points to address, there were too many writers who had nothing but deceptive man-centred trash to spew. This is a CHRISTIAN counselling book, therefore why in the world would you tell me that the most important tool is ME?!
Another huge issue I found with the message in this book is that they think it's okay to use blatantly secular treatments if they just dress it up in spiritual-sounding language. That's not okay! Some of these secular methods are actually harmful, and don't have permanent benefits. I might as well say it's okay to pole dance as long as I call it "Eve dancing around the Forbidden Fruit Tree."
The worst part is that these people have their PhDs. They ought to know better than this. However, they discredit themselves by quoting people who have next to no credible education. Why quote John Ortberg when you could be quoting other scholars that actually deserve respect?
This book is a shameful, piteous attempt at good theology in Christian counselling. I wish I was kidding when I quote from the book that they encourage you that "The most important instrument you have to help [people] is YOU," and to "invite the Holy Spirit into your imagination."
Although at the end of the book they declare that their goal for Christian counselling is unity, this book is so unbelievably disjointed in teaching and belief that it makes me skeptical as to how hard they're really trying. This book is a compilation, written by many different authors. While some of them had valid points to address, there were too many writers who had nothing but deceptive man-centred trash to spew. This is a CHRISTIAN counselling book, therefore why in the world would you tell me that the most important tool is ME?!
Another huge issue I found with the message in this book is that they think it's okay to use blatantly secular treatments if they just dress it up in spiritual-sounding language. That's not okay! Some of these secular methods are actually harmful, and don't have permanent benefits. I might as well say it's okay to pole dance as long as I call it "Eve dancing around the Forbidden Fruit Tree."
The worst part is that these people have their PhDs. They ought to know better than this. However, they discredit themselves by quoting people who have next to no credible education. Why quote John Ortberg when you could be quoting other scholars that actually deserve respect?
March 17, 2018
Wow. Another excellent source of information for lay helpers and Christian counselors. This resource is loaded with real scenarios, case studies, and information about how to help people in all walks of life from a Christ-like approach. Definitely one I’ll be keeping on my shelf and will be able to reference for years to come.
September 6, 2013
Required reading for my masters program, but I really liked it because it spoke to my soul that this is the area I was created for.
March 15, 2018
A textbook that deals with all situations that a counselor could face and teaches them how to approach it in a Christian way.
Used with Liberty University Online's Issues of Christian Counseling.
Used with Liberty University Online's Issues of Christian Counseling.
February 29, 2024
Reading what seems like a textbook was a daunting task. That being said, it more so told about different paths rather than say if this happens do this. It was long and drawn out and often boring but it did require you to think . It does not rest on the laurels of the authors or even well known counselors or psychologists. Towards the end there is an application section which concentrates heavily on scripture . I wish the whole book had done that .
October 17, 2019
I refer back to the book constantly and it's amazing how much the authors are quoted in other Christian integration books. It's such a great resource for those who seek to integrate ethically and with competence.
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March 15, 2011This is more of a reference than a read-through, but I am enjoying perusing it and am certain that I will continue to consult it for years to come. So far it appears to be well-researched which is refreshing as too often Christians in helping professions rely heavily on fleeting feelings and experiences as opposed to legitimate, life-changing methods of change . . . I'm all for being Spirit-led, but also believe in good sense.
November 21, 2012
Reflective and resourceful, and a collaborative effort from respected figures within the field of Christian Counseling. It's well set out for reference use and categorized to enhance easy navigation. Recommended read for those moving in to the counseling field.
April 27, 2008
This is a really long book - fine print, 700 pages. It was a little tedious to get through, but I did love the knowledge of counseling within a Christian perspective.
September 27, 2008
Good reflective read to ponder when integrating with psychological approaches
March 14, 2011
A good resource. It is a bit scholarly, but useful for lay ministers and those who work w/ hurting people.
September 10, 2012
Very informative and insightful into the soul-wounds we all experience. Appreciate this and the reference guides broken down by subject.
May 12, 2013
Excellent! Great information and a must for anyone involved in Christian Counseling.
May 19, 2015
Week four and still this book is an amazing read with lots to highlight and learn from. Great resource for all Christian counselors and Lay helpers.
October 9, 2016
Excellent reference book on counseling from a Christian perspective.
December 9, 2012
Very comprehensive and well-written. I think every Christian counselor needs to read this book.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews