Care and Counseling

Vision: To offer the hope of Christ in the midst of human problems in a broken world.

Our Approach

Biblical counseling is the loving ministry of God’s Word to people in the midst of the struggles of life. We seek to help people understand their circumstances and respond to God, themselves, and others in ways that increasingly reflect Jesus Christ.

At Cross, we believe biblical counseling is part of the larger work of discipleship and shepherding within the local church. Every Christian needs brothers and sisters who will encourage, comfort, pray, speak truth, and walk alongside them. For that reason, counseling is not intended to replace Community Groups, pastors, elders, or Christian friendship. Formal counseling provides more focused care when someone is facing a particularly difficult or complex season.

Christ-Centered

People come to counseling experiencing both sin and suffering. We may struggle because of our own choices, because of what others have done to us, or because we live in a broken world. In all of these circumstances, our hope is ultimately found in Jesus Christ. We want counseling to help people know Him, trust Him, and increasingly become like Him.

Biblical

God’s Word provides the authoritative framework through which we understand people, their problems, and the process of change. Biblical counseling is more than simply giving someone a Bible verse or telling them what to do. We seek to understand the whole person—their circumstances, experiences, relationships, desires, beliefs, and responses—and wisely bring Scripture to bear on the realities of their life.

Community-Oriented

God designed Christians to grow within the body of Christ. Much of the care people need happens through ordinary relationships in the church—Community Groups, friendships, pastors, elders, prayer, worship, and discipleship. Formal counseling comes alongside these relationships rather than replacing them.

Caring for the Whole Person

We believe God created human beings as embodied souls. Physical health, medications, sleep, medical conditions, trauma, and other bodily factors can significantly affect a person’s experience and should be taken seriously. When appropriate, our counselors may encourage medical evaluation or collaborate with physicians and other qualified professionals while maintaining Scripture as our ultimate authority for understanding and addressing the spiritual dimensions of life.

Who Provides Counseling?

Counseling at Cross happens throughout the church. Community and Core Group leaders provide everyday discipleship and care, while pastors and elders provide additional shepherding when needed. For situations requiring more concentrated counseling, the Counseling Pastor, Counseling Director, and other pastors provide formal biblical counseling and help coordinate appropriate care.

Our goal is not simply to help someone through a counseling appointment. We want to help people grow in Christ while becoming increasingly connected to the people and ministries God has provided within His church.