The Message of Freedom In Christ
The inclusion of Christ requires a different methodology for counseling
Biblical integration requires more than rethinking the Christian message. The methodology shifts dramatically when God is intentionally included as the Wonderful Counselor. Jesus is the omnipresent third party in every counseling session, and there is a role that only He can play in the recovery/counseling process. Humanly we can’t set a captive free or bind up the broken hearted. Only God can do that. Using an integrative discipleship counseling model based on faith and repentance, which includes the presence of Christ will bear much fruit. For more explanation about this kind of approach to Christian counseling, read Discipleship Counseling (Anderson, Gospel Light), Christ Centered Therapy (Anderson, Zuehlke, Zondervan), and Released From Bondage (Anderson, King, Garzon, Thomas Nelson).
Jesus is also the ultimate marriage counselor and Church consultant, since He is the head of the Church and marriage is supposed to be a picture of our union with Him. Based on this premise and the principles listed above, I have addressed how marital and ministry conflicts can be resolved in Christ with the following books that I co-authored with Dr. Charles Mylander: The Christ Centered Marriage, and Extreme Church Makeover (formerly entitled Setting Your Church Free).
Jesus wants His children to be single-minded, and Christian marriages to be one in Christ, and His Body, the Church, united in Him. We cannot have a oneness in marriage and unity in the body of Christ, however, until the marriage partners and church members are alive and free in Christ. If you have a church full of people in bondage, you have a church in bondage. If you have a church full of bad marriages, you have a bad church. The whole cannot be greater than the sum of its parts. There are opportunities for growth everywhere, but few opportunities to repent. Freedom In Christ Ministries was incorporated to equip the Church so they can resolve their personal and spiritual conflicts through genuine repentance and faith in God, and be established alive and free in Christ. Please see the list of resources, training opportunities, and research results posted on this website.
Neil T. Anderson
