What’s Worth a Week of My Time?

Why in the world would over 1,600 people spend from Sunday afternoon through Friday afternoon at a biblical counseling conference?

Well, if you don’t want to hear from me on this (are there people like that?), check out the Twitter feed at #bctconf). Here’s my take on why 1,600+ people spent the week at the Faith Biblical Counseling Ministries training conference in Lafayette, Indiana.

Hmm… Let me rephrase that. Here are a few reasons why I spent the week there (not in any particular order).

1. Iron sharpens iron… through biblical teaching.

I know that some speakers at some conferences don’t often attend sessions unless they’re speaking. Not here. I was equipped, encouraged, stirred, and convicted as I listened to my fellow speakers relate truth to life. I spent the week here because I want to grow up in Christ.

2. Iron sharpens iron… through biblical relating.

However, I didn’t spend every second in sessions. I spent the week here because I long for deep Christian fellowship and I enjoyed it richly this week. My life and ministry have been enriched by spending quality time with people like Steve Viars, Garrett Higbee, Brian Nicholson, Doc Smith, Andy Woodall, Rob Green, Amy Baker, Mark Dutton, Edris and Arvid Olson, Heather Smith, Jocelyn Wallace, Elyse Fitzpatrick, Martha Peace, Brad Bigney, Kevin Carson, Stuart Scott, Jack Delk, Tim Lane, Randy Patten, and so many more.

3. Biblical counselors are compassionate.

Session after session and interaction after interaction, I enjoyed the compassionate care spoken about and shared by the dear folks at the conference. The sensitivity to hurting people models Christ-likeness—a model I long to embrace.

4. Biblical counselors are relevant and practical.

I so appreciate the robust depth of insight for living shared at the conference…in sessions and in personal interactions. Rich theology richly related to real life—that’s worth a week of my time. Whether talking about victory over specific besetting sins or talking about finding hope amidst life’s trials, biblical truths were applied “where the rubber meets the road”—never trite, but always true to life.

5. It’s fun!

“Fun” and a “week focused on biblical counseling” might seem like an oxymoron, a contradiction in terms. Not at all. Life is serious, but life is also hilarious. To laugh with friends, to kid, to joke… Yes, I was able to unwind at a biblical counseling conference. “Who’d a thought it?”

The Rest of the Story

Interested in the 2012 Faith Biblical Counseling Conference? Check out: Christ-Centered Counseling.

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