Should I Pursue Biblical Counseling as a Career? | Ask Paul Tripp (029)

Summary

In this episode, Paul discusses discerning life callings and gifts, particularly in biblical counseling. He shares his journey from church planting to becoming a faculty member, emphasizing the importance of community and church involvement in recognizing and developing one's gifts. He recommends starting with an online course through the Christian Counseling Educational Foundation to test interest and giftedness in counseling.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Justin is considering a career in biblical counseling after completing a bachelor's degree in theological studies.
• 📚 He is encouraged by a seasoned saint and a younger brother who see potential in his counseling abilities.
• 🔍 Justin is not proficient in Greek, which has deterred him from pursuing seminary education.
• 💡 The speaker suggests starting with a biblically rich and practical training program, such as the one offered at Westminster Seminary.
• 🏫 The speaker's personal journey involved planting a church in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where he recognized the need for counseling aligned with faith.
• 🌐 The speaker recommends exploring the counseling field by starting with an online training program through the Christian Counseling Educational Foundation.
• 🔑 Discovering one's gifts involves a process of experience, opportunity, passion, training, and recognition.
• 👥 Recognition of gifts is crucial, and it's important that others in the community also acknowledge these gifts.
• 🏛 The church is the best context for testing and recognizing gifts, as they are meant for the work of the church.
• 🗣️ The speaker advises talking to a pastor or elders to discuss the potential for counseling and taking a course to test the waters.
• 🚀 The process of discerning one's calling should be done in the community, with wisdom and advice, rather than in isolation.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the video script?

The main topic discussed in the video script is about discerning one's gifts, talents, and life calling, specifically in the context of biblical counseling.

Who is the person sharing their story in the script?

The person sharing their story is Paul, who has experience in church planting and counseling, and is now part of the faculty at Westminster Seminary.

What is the issue that Justin is facing according to the script?

Justin has been encouraged by others that he might have a gift in counseling, but he is unsure about pursuing a career in biblical counseling due to his lack of proficiency in Greek, which has hindered his consideration of Seminary.

What is the speaker's view on the importance of the Gospel in counseling?

The speaker believes that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the best diagnostic tool for the human condition and the best cure, emphasizing the importance of biblically rich and practical training in counseling.

What program did the speaker find helpful for biblical counseling training?

The speaker found a program at Westminster Seminary helpful for biblical counseling training and eventually became part of the faculty there.

What advice does the speaker give for someone interested in biblical counseling?

The speaker advises to start by testing the waters in the counseling world, such as taking an online course through the Christian Counseling Educational Foundation, to assess interest and giftedness.

What are the five elements the speaker suggests for discovering one's gifts?

The five elements the speaker suggests for discovering one's gifts are experience, opportunity, passion, training, and recognition.

Why is recognition important in discerning one's gifts according to the speaker?

Recognition is important because it validates that the gift is not just self-perceived but also acknowledged by others, particularly within the community of the body of Christ.

What role does the local church play in discerning one's pastoral gifts according to the speaker's experience?

In the speaker's experience, the local church played a crucial role in recognizing his pastoral gifts and sent him out to plant a church, indicating that the church is a place to test and confirm one's gifts.

What is the speaker's recommendation for someone like Justin who is unsure about their calling?

The speaker recommends talking to a pastor, elder, or the elders to discuss the potential for counseling as a calling, and to take a course to explore the field further, allowing God to make the calling clear.

What is the underlying message of the video script regarding finding one's calling?

The underlying message is that finding one's calling is a community project that should be done with wisdom, advice, and within the context of the church community, rather than in isolation.