This year’s Made to Minster conference, An Introduction to Biblical Counseling, will help you build the bridge between God’s word, and the individuals that make up the church. We believe that the church is equipped and able to minister the word to one another and that this has a threefold effect on the entire body. First, that those in need of help receive the interpersonal ministry of the word of God from members of their own church family. Second, that those ministering to others further develop their own faith as they walk alongside those who are in need of biblical counsel. And third, biblical counseling moves the burden of shepherding from the shoulders of the pastor and ministry staff and back to the body for their mutual benefit. All are made to minister, we want to help you take the first step.
Meet Our Speakers
Dr. John Henderson (PhD) is the Executive Director of the Center for Church Equipping, which is a training arm of the Association of Biblical Counselors. He served on the pastoral staff of Denton Bible Church in Denton, Texas, for 14 years where he provided leadership over the biblical counseling training. He received a Masters and a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from the University of North Texas. He has written Equipped to Counsel: A Training Program in Biblical Counseling and Catching Foxes: A Gospel-Guided Journey to Marriage. John and his wife, Ruth, have five children.
Dr. Jeremy Lelek is the president of both the Association of Biblical Counseling and Metroplex Counseling (a local center for biblical soul care in Dallas/Fort Worth). He is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Texas. He lectures frequently in area churches, training believers with ABC’s “Equipped to Counsel” curriculum.
Jeremy is the author of Biblical Counseling Basics: Roots, Beliefs and Future, a book offering a comprehensive approach to biblical counseling. He has also written several counseling resources on topics such as PTSD and self-harm.
Jeremy is married to Lynne, and they have four children. He and his wife are active members of Forth Worth Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Conference Price: $79
Pre-Conference Price: $25
The event will be held at Salem Heights Church
375 Madrona Ave S, Salem, OR 97302
Track One – An Introduction to Biblical Counseling
Objective: This track attempts to cover the basics about biblical counseling and unpacks the questions: What is biblical counseling? What does this look in the local church? Do you think I could counsel? How can I learn more about biblical counseling certification? If you are new to biblical counseling this is the recommended track for the conference.
Speakers: Dr. Jeremy, Lelek, Aaron Greene, Emily Dempster
Track Two – Counseling as Discipleship – A Journey to Biblical Change
Objective: Biblical counseling brings Scripture to the suffering of the human soul while offering hope from the Gospel for change. Counseling in a sense becomes an intensive one-on-one discipleship. Learn a practical plan for walking through many of life’s struggles with another person using a gospel-centered homework component. This track is for those who are already discipling others in various ministry roles or as a biblical counselor.
Speakers: Laura Chica, Ron Alsum
Track Three- Depression and Suicide
Objective: To present a biblical understanding of depression while showing how gloriously Scripture speaks to the heart of those struggling and also addressing the issue of suicide giving specific, Christ-centered, and exegetically sound guidance for counseling those who suffer and struggle. This track is for those ministering to these issues or for trained biblical counselors.
Speaker: Carl Chica
Pre-Conference: October 11th
9:00am – Registration and Check in
10:00am – Plenary
11:30 – Lunch
Conference: October 11th & 12th
Friday Night
6:00pm – Registration and Check in
7:00pm – Plenary Session #1
Saturday
8:30 – Registration and Check in
9:00am – Plenary Session #2
10:30am – Break
10:45 am– Breakout Session #1
11:45am – Lunch and Free Time
1:30pm – Breakout Session #2
2:45pm – Breakout Session #3
3:45pm – Break
4:00pm – Plenary Session #3
Counseling is a fluid event that happens in the everyday circumstances and relationships of life. God has given us his word to equip everyday people to minister well to one another. The question isn’t, do we counsel, but are we communicating the word of God’s in our counsel?
This year’s pre-conference will focus on the basics of biblical counseling, helping you connect God’s word to the often complex and messy lives of the individuals you serve. As a precursor to our main conference, you’ll hear from Pastor Justin Greene and Pastor Carl Chica as they share why biblical counseling is so vital to the health of the church.
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Jeremy Lelek is coming as a speaker for our pre-conference as well.
Pre Conference is for Pastors and Ministry Leaders
10:00 a.m. Session
11:30 a.m. Lunch
Cost: $25 (added to your registration at check out)