Training

Training the saints to certification in biblical counseling

Rod and Staff Ministries (RSM) Certification Process

As an ACBC Certified Training Center, Rod & Staff Ministries trains believers to be biblical counselors.  Our training course satisfies ACBC requirements for certification as an ACBC certified counselor.  Here  is an overview of the ACBC certification process through RSM.

Phase 1: Training

 

Basic Training Course

Rod and Staff Ministries provides 48 hours of instruction over the course of two, twelve-week semesters Our Semester One: Principles of Biblical Counseling class provides the theological framework for our Semester Two: Practice of Biblical Counseling class. Each of those classes prepares you for our Semester Three: Exam Preparation class in Phase 2. 

Learn more about these courses.

 

Assigned Reading

We assign two books during each semester. All of our assigned reading comes from ACBC’s approved reading list, which will help you satisfy ACBC’s 1,000 pages of required reading from counseling and theology books.

We also require two, one-page book reports and one, ten-page paper. These reading and writing assignments are instrumental in not only preparing you for the exam but also for lifelong growth in counseling.

Learn more about our reading and writing assignments.

Download ACBC Approved Reading List

Download ACBC Reading Log***

 

Counseling Observation

We require twelve hours of counseling observation that can be completed with live counselors or by viewing DVDs. Ideally, four of those house will be spent observing counseling sessions, four will be spent assisting counseling sessions, and four will be spent leading counseling sessions. Students start counseling observation during the Semester Two: Practice of Biblical Counseling class.

Download Observation Log***

 

Student Guide

Our student guide provides a comprehensive look at our courses, our certification process, and other helpful points of administration.

Download RSM’s Student Guide

***IMPORTANT: This log is for personal use only. Please retrieve RSM’s official ACBC observation and reading logs from Lorra at lorra@rodandstaffministries.org. We will keep records of your progress and submit all paperwork to ACBC on your behalf.

Exams & Application

 

Write Theology & Counseling Exams

During Phase 2 the Semester Three: Exam Preparation provides 20-24 hours of cohort discussion over the course of four or five Saturdays.  Upon completion of this class you are well on your way to writing the exams . This class provides you with (1) a plethora of study notes, (2) a rough, general outline of each exam question, and (3) plenty of articles articles to help you with your research.

Learn more about this class.

Download ACBC Counseling Exam***

Download ACBC Theology Exam***

 

Compile an Application

We help with the exams and application process by grading all of our students’ exams and by submitting all of the application’s components to ACBC on your behalf. This is a great benefit because it streamlines an otherwise cumbersome process. Please contact us upon receiving notification from ACBC. Congratulations! At this point you are ready to move on to Phase 3.

Learn more about how to compile your application.

Student Guide

Our student guide provides a comprehensive look at our courses, our certification process, and other helpful points of administration.

Download RSM’s Student Guide

 

***IMPORTANT: Please submit your exams and application to Lorra at lorra@rodandstaffministries.org. Do not submit to ACBC. We will keep records of your progress and submit all paperwork to ACBC on your behalf.

Supervision

 

Personal Supervision, Coaching by ACBC Fellow

Supervision is invaluable to honing your counseling skills. Our on-site ACBC Fellow, Dr. Jim Fain, provides personal supervision and coaching during Phase Three. Dr. Fain reads and comments on all 50 case reports, observes five recorded sessions, and meets with you in person for at least ten, one-hour feedback sessions.* As the Lord provides opportunity, he meets with students more frequently for this in-person feedback. 

Learn more about supervision.

 

Student Guide

Our student guide provides a comprehensive look at our courses, our certification process, and other helpful points of administration.

Download RSM’s Student Guide

 

 *For long-distance, non-RSM students supervision is conducted over Skype

How Can We Help You?

We would love to have the privilege of helping you or one of your friends become a certified ACBC counselor. If we can help you finish your course of study toward ACBC certification, or if you would simply like to refresh and re-sharpen your competency in biblical counseling, our courses would be a great aid to you.

Please don’t hesitate to ask us how we can help you. May God continue to use us for His glory and the good of His saints—that we may live a life above circumstance, pleasing to Him, and satisfying to the soul

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Rod and Staff Ministries

. . .exists to equip churches to strengthen the saints to live above sin, suffering, and circumstance through sanctification (greater conformity to Jesus) unto satisfaction (greater capacity to enjoy Jesus) Soli Deo Gloria. . .