Biblical Counseling
Training
Everyone Gives Advice. Is Your Counsel Biblical?
In 2017, Cross Pointe Church officially became a Certified Training Center with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC). As a Training Center, we endeavor to train and equip believers to faithfully minister the Word of God to those seeking counsel.
To this end, we provide in-person and online training aimed at helping Christians learn the basics of biblical counseling, further their education, and pursue ACBC certification.
Why should I get training?
As Believers, we have a God-breathed book that contains everything necessary for life and for godliness (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3). However, unless we become dedicated students of the Word, we will be limited in our ability to minister the Word to those who need it. Therefore, we must be life-long learners, turning to God's Word as the foundation for all things pertaining to life and godliness.
Our training aims to equip you to counsel others and make disciples. Those who attend our courses use the material in various ways. Many use it to counsel themselves and work on growing in their own life. Others use it to become better counselors to friends and family. Some use it to grow as ministry leaders within their church, and still, others use it to become certified biblical counselors. Whatever your reasons for taking our courses, you will be more equipped and prepared for everyday life for having done it.
How do I get Certified?
Step 1:
Learning
Phase 1 of ACBC Certification requires the completion of an ACBC Fundamentals Course.
As an ACBC Certified Training Center, we host an annual Biblical Counseling Conference, offering this 30-hour education requirement which establishes a basic knowledge of what Biblical Counseling is, how it is conducted, and why it is the responsibility of all Christians.​
Registration is now open for our Foundations Track in our upcoming Biblical Counseling Conference to satisfy the 30 hour Fundamental Course requirement in Phase 1.
Step 2:
Study
Phase 1 of ACBC Certification also requires two more key components: Reading and Observations.
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The reading requirement for certification is completing one thousand pages of reading from an ACBC approved reading list. Three hundred of those pages must be focused on theology and seven hundred from counseling material.
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To accomplish these requirement requirements, we recommend that 1) you create an ACBC Account and begin tracking your reading, and 2) move to the third step: Exams, because, as you work through your exam, you will accomplish the reading requirements.​
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The observation requirement is to observe 10 biblical counseling session in action. While videos are authorized, in-person is preferred. You may purchase observation videos from IBCD, Faith, or The Master's University.
Step 3:
Exam
Phase 2 of ACBC Certification consists of 44 essay-style questions on both Theology and Counseling.
The first portion of the exam explores the basics of systematic theology. The second portion covers counseling knowledge and practice.
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Beginning in January 2025, we are offering a free In-Person or Distance Learning ACBC Exam Test Prep Course that will walk you through each question, providing suggested readings and a lecture that will cover everything necessary to equip you to answer the question and understand the core concepts. Our In-Person model will meet on Thursday evenings, with the video lectures to follow for those distance learners.
To learn more, click the link below.
Step 4:
Supervision
Phase 3 of ACBC Certification consists of supervision by an ACBC Fellow.
In this stage, the Counselor-In-Training will provide counsel to others, at least 50 sessions, under the supervision of an ACBC Fellow. After each session, you will fill out a report on the session, send it to your supervisor, and he will then give constructive feedback to help you learn and grow as a counselor.
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Cross Pointe is able to offer this supervision at a limited capacity, but many Fellows are available through the ACBC network also.
What Training Do We Offer?
ACBC Exam
Test Prep Course
2025
Our ACBC Exam Test Prep Course is designed to help individuals master the core concepts needed to complete the theological and counseling exams for phase 2 of the ACBC Certification process. Starting in January 2025 and ending in December 2025, the course covers one exam question per week. Whether attending in-person or online, attendees will receive video lectures and additional guidance to navigate this phase of the certification process with confidence.
Online Counseling Training
Our Online Counseling Training provides specialized programs designed to equip individuals for biblical counseling. Each program features video lectures carefully selected, addressing specific counseling topics with clarity and insight. Delivered entirely online, these training modules offer flexible and practical resources for anyone seeking to grow in their ability to counsel others with the truth of God's Word.