Central Church

pastoral counseling

The Pastoral Counseling Ministry of Central Church is an expression of God’s love and mercy to adults, children, couples, and families who find that life, this side of heaven, isn’t easy. Most of us, even as Christians, must admit that even with all the biblical promises, our earthbound journey takes us through many deep valleys. It is during these tough times that we need someone to “walk along side” of us, to listen, to help us think through decisions, to help us find and understand what God would have us believe and do as we decide to take a particular course of action. The Pastoral Support staff has answered God’s call to help “carry each other’s burden” (Gal. 6:2) as well as help each one to be able to “carry his own load” (Gal. 6:5).

To do this, the Pastoral Counseling Ministry looks to THE COUNSELOR – the Holy Spirit, requested of God – the Father, by Jesus Christ – the Son (John 14:16, 17, 26) to lead each one to the truth and provide the guidance needed. Through the support and soul-care process, we provide a basic networking of spirit-directed counsel, discipleship, and as necessary, referrals as more intensive assistance is required.

For more information, call our Pastoral Counseling Ministry offices at: 901-255-8115 or email us at: counseling@centralchurch.com

staff

Dr. Bill Bellican, Director of Pastoral Counseling Ministry | 901-255-8115 | billbellican@centralchurch.com

Bill holds a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degree in Formational Counseling through Ashland Theological Seminary, an M.A. in Counseling via Harding Graduate School of Religion, and a B.A. (Psychology) from the University of Memphis. He is also a licensed minister, and he is licensed (#576) as a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) approved by the State of Tennessee. Additionally, Bill is credentialed as a Board Certified Professional Christian Counselor (BCPCC) by the International Board of Christian Counselors (IBCC) and the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC). He has completed the Focus-On-The-Family Counseling Enrichment Program, certification to administer the Prepare/Enrich/Mate Couples Inventories, instructor training for PREP (Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program), and has received advanced training in Theophostic Prayer Ministry and Formational Prayer both of which focus on Spirit-led, inner healing prayer. Bill is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC), the International Association for Theophostic Ministry (IATM), National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (N.A.R.T.H.), and the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF). He also is an adjunct instructor in the Department of Behavioral Sciences at Victory University which is a Christian liberal arts college in Memphis, TN.

Jean Brunson, Counseling Ministry | 901-255-8115 | jeanbrunson@centralchurch.com

Jean has played an integral role within Central Church since becoming a member in 1980. Throughout this time, Jean has been involved in countless areas of service to the church as well as being on the church staff providing counseling to children and families in the Central Learning Center, Central Day School, and through the Pastoral Counseling Ministry. Her past experience includes medical, psychiatric, and child welfare social work. She also taught preschool at Central Learning Center. Jean holds a B.S in Social Welfare from Arizona State University and Master of Science in Counseling degree from the University of Memphis. She has received training in Theophostic Prayer Ministry and Critical Incident Stress Counseling. In addition to counseling, since 1990, Jean has been involved specifically in directing children’s support groups. Currently, she directs the Growing Seasons Ministry tailored to children, ages 4 – 12, and their families who have experienced the trauma of grief, loss, and change within the family as a result of divorce, death and other significant life events. Notably, the curriculum for Growing Seasons, which was authored by Jean, has been published and distributed worldwide by Living Free/Turning Point Ministry. She has also adapted the Insight Group curriculum published by Living Free to be used with children ages 8-11. Kids Living Free: Empowering Kids for Life is designed to prepare children to avoid addictions and co-dependencies of all kinds. Through Teen Challenge and other missions organizations, this curriculum will be used in the school system in Cape Town, South Africa and many other countries.

Billy Egner, Counseling Ministry | 901-255-8115 | billyegner@centralchurch.com

Billy has been a dedicated member of the Central Church family since 2000 and has been involved in missions related activities, including Youth With a Mission’s Discipleship Training School in 2002. He holds a Master of Arts in Counseling (Licensure) degree from Denver Seminary graduating in 2005, where he gained experience in marital, pre-marital, drug and alcohol and basic church counseling. He is EMDR trained level II and certified to administer the Prepare/Enrich marriage profiles. Additionally, he is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a National Certified Counselor, and works full-time for LaPaloma Treatment Center. LaPaloma Treatment Center’s specialized focus is treating individuals who are dealing with mental illness and addiction, also referred to as co-occurring disorders.

Linda Price, Counseling Ministry | 901-255-8115 | lindap@centralchurch.com

Linda serves as a counselor at Central and has a passion for instilling hope into hurting families and marriages. Linda received her undergraduate degree from Cedarville University in Cedarville, Ohio and a masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Grace College and Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana. Linda is certified to administer the Prepare/Enrich marriage profiles and is a member of AMCA and ACA. Linda comes to Central with a background in social work, child welfare and addictions counseling. Prior to coming to Central, Linda worked as an addictions counselor at Wilder Youth Development Center which directly involved working with the juvenile offenders program. Linda and her husband Mark have been married for 26 years and have 5 children ranging in ages 21-11.

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making an appointment:

Appointments are scheduled on an individual basis by calling or emailing the Pastoral Counseling Ministry, 901-255-8115 — counseling@centralchurch.com . If you are unable to keep an appointment, please notify our office at least 24 hours in advance. In the event of inclement weather, please contact Central Church (901-888-4673) to determine if the office is open.

confidentiality:

The purpose of the Pastoral Counseling Staff of Central Church is to edify and build up the body of Christ. Within that context, the information shared during the support and soul-care process is to be kept with responsible trust. The information that is shared with us is precious and not to be regarded lightly or irresponsibly. The Pastoral Counseling Staff has a biblical mandate to use their judgment regarding the exchange of information for the purpose of providing a comprehensive and unified plan of discipleship for each individual in a manner that will maintain one’s dignity and integrity. The sharing of information by an individual with our staff serves to indicate that he/she is willing to impart trust so that the Pastoral Counseling Staff can provide direction that is in the best interest of the individual and the kingdom of God. It is also to be understood that by law we are required to share with proper authorities in the following situations:

In the cases of emergency wherein the individual is likely to harm him/herself or others.
In keeping with the laws of the State of Tennessee, Central Church staff is required to report suspected child abuse to the appropriate authorities.

When working with couples &/or families, the pastoral counseling staff reserves the right to determine if any information shared privately by one individual would be beneficial to be shared with another/others also in the Soul-Care & Pastoral Counseling Ministry process. In this way, the pastoral staff is careful not to be the holder of “secret information” which would impede the effectiveness of achieving the agreed upon goals. This would only be done with the understanding by and preparation of the individual sharing the information.

When working with a minor, the pastoral counseling staff will attempt to foster a relationship of trust and openness allowing the minor to freely discuss any issue. Ultimately, the goal will be to help bring the minor into a more healthy relationship with his/her parent(s)/guardian(s), so the family can be in a place to better address and resolve concerns. Although details of conversations with the minor do not have to be revealed, the parent(s)/guardian(s) will be appropriately informed of progress.

Additionally, it is our policy that when an individual is under the care of a physician or another professional, communication regarding pertinent treatment considerations will be maintained with that professional.

The Pastoral Counseling Ministry is not a psychological center. Our pastoral counseling staff are not psychotherapists, psychologists or medical doctors. Each pastoral support staff member is a person who has received a calling and gifting from God for the purpose of exhorting and helping people to mature in Christ-likeness. Therefore, the elders of Central Church request that each person sign a consent form regarding the definition of pastoral support & soul-care, and are in agreement with Central Church’s approach to a pastoral support ministry.

Vision/Mission:

Vision – Conveying the Truth of Christ that all may experience Freedom in Christ. (John 8:32, 36)

Mission – In the Pastoral Counseling Ministry, we rely on the anointing and enabling of the Holy Spirit through the use of our spiritual gifts to provide godly soul-care, insight, and direction to individuals and families. This is accomplished through one-on-one sessions, the use of support groups, appropriate referrals, and the use of other complementary materials and assignments in both preventive and crisis-intervention approaches to achieve the goals of: sharing the “good news” with the spiritually poor; bringing healing to the brokenhearted; proclaiming freedom for those enslaved to unhealthy emotions, attitudes, behaviors; providing the light of truth to those in darkness; announcing the favor of the Lord for positive change and continued success; confronting inappropriate &/or unproductive thinking/behaviors/emotions according to His righteous requirements; and bestowing beauty, comfort, joy, and praise in place of discouragement, despair, mourning, and the spirit of heaviness. (Isaiah 61:1-3a)

Soul Care Philosophy

Philosophy & Soul-Care Model of the Pastoral Counseling Ministry

The pastoral counseling & soul-care process at Central Church is Christ-centered, biblically based, clinically sound, and Spirit-empowered. Pastoral counseling is made available on a priority basis to members/regular attenders of Central church. The pastoral counseling & soul-care process includes one-to-one, couples, and family sessions, support group participation, and involvement in specific workshops and classes as well as making use of other literature and appropriate information.

The focus of the Pastoral Counseling Ministry is (1) to help you know God, enjoy Him forever, mature in Christ and become more inclined to obedience to God’s will; (2) to help you understand and trust the Lord for your worth and dignity and, (3) to equip you with more effective ways of relating with people in your family and community through Christ’s love. As a result, the Pastoral Counseling Ministry process is designed to help you make appropriate changes in your behavior, belief system and emotional responses.

However, there are potential risks as well as benefits of the Pastoral Counseling & Soul-Care Ministry process. For example, a) this process may involve remembering and talking about matters that result in strong or uncomfortable feelings; b) some people report feeling worse before feeling better; c) some people may conclude that they need to make some difficult changes in significant relationships/areas of life.

Soul-Care Model

In the Pastoral Counseling Ministry, we recognize the sovereignty of the triune God over all of His creation. It is within this Framework that our counseling efforts, guidance, wisdom, and direction are taken as we look to God as the Source of all Truth. We further recognize that under this sovereignty of God, there is a collusion of: a) the World – the humanistic system which is hostile to God and God’s people, b) the Flesh – our individual, fallen, corrupt human nature, and c) Satan – the real, evil personality who, at the head of a great kingdom of evil, hates God’s people and tries to destroy them. It is from this evil consortium that flow most of the (non-organic) problems individuals and families experience that are presented in the Pastoral Counseling office. However, this model does not assume that all emotional suffering and anguish is due to personal sin or the sins of others. At times, such anguish may be part of God’s process of perfecting His children in the image of Christ. Therefore, we seek God’s discernment between sin-induced suffering and anguish or deep distress that may be part of obedience to God’s will and growing as a Christian.

To address these issues, an integrated effort is undertaken using various tools, which God has provided that include:

Soul-Care – the use of Scripture, healing prayer (i.e., Spirit-led prayer to address the core source of woundedness and present false beliefs which are dispelled by the experienced Truth of Christ as in Theophostic prayer and formational prayer, and the spiritual disciplines (e.g., meditation, listening/guidance, fasting, repentance/confession, study, yielding/submission, worship, etc.);

Cognitive – challenging one’s thinking to ensure that it is along truthful, factual ways of looking at life-issues;

Behavioral – encouraging one to choose to do that which is truthful, right, and beneficial as a loving response to the way God shows His unconditional love for the individual;

Solution-Focused – helping one to see what is working right, what has worked better in the past, and what can possibly work better in the future as different approaches are attempted which instills a more hopeful outlook;

Directive – involves various assignments such as reading certain helpful material, possibly attending targeted support groups, as appropriate. Also, includes referral to sources of specialized expertise as needed (e.g., legal, medical, psychological).

Results