My Journey As A Counselor: Steve Duffy
How did I first get introduced to Biblical Counseling?
My introduction to Biblical Counseling was somewhat of a journey, not necessarily one specific event/resource, but a series of them that the Lord used in very impactful ways. There were three resources and a few very significant life experiences that were instrumental in shaping my view of and involvement in Biblical Counseling. They include the following:
- 2009-2010 - a significant life experience; a closed door to a career shift pursuit. This exposed in me a deep-rooted pride that laid the groundwork (or heart work?!) for solid learning, heart change, and renewal of the mind.
- Fall 2011 - Participated in a Sunday class using Paul Tripp’s “How People Change” material. The fruit to root diagram was a significant visual for me, giving me a framework for practical theology and started me on a journey of change from the inside out.
- Fall 2012 - a few additional significant life experiences; a job loss (after 17 years), the first and long-lasting rebellious season of one of my children.
- Spring 2013 - Completed LIFE Group leader training in the basics of soul care in community using Garrett Higbee’s “Uncommon Community” resource.
- Fall 2013 - Completed a Sunday class using Garrett Higbee’s “Biblical Soul Care for the Local Church” material.
God’s timing in providing significant life experiences along with Bible-centered and gospel-saturated Biblical Counseling material was amazing! I engaged with the resources I previously noted thinking that I was going to use them to help others. BUT, the Lord had other plans and had some serious changes to do in my heart first. After completing the material in 2013 I was convinced that the practical theology offered by the Biblical Counseling material was not only useful to change my life, shaping me into the image of Christ, but that God could use me to come alongside others to nurture the same change. I was “sold” in 2013!
What has serving in Biblical Counseling looked like for me since my initial introduction?
As 2013 passed, I was ready to take some next steps. Pastor Jason Poling invited me into this next step which helped to take my previous equipping and personal change and apply it to serving others and also continued growth. In the Spring of 2014, I served as an Advocate for a case counseled by Pastor Jason Poling, which also served as an opportunity to shadow Pastor Jason as a counselor in training. After that counselee had graduated, I then took on a case and Pastor Jason shadowed me. This approach was the most helpful approach for me to learn and navigate specific fears I had.
From there I have engaged in several on-going learning and counseling experiences. I completed Track training through Faith Church (Lafayette, IN), held locally at Grace Community Church in North Liberty: Fall 2014 (Track 1), Fall 2015 (Track 2), Fall 2016 (Track 3). In 2019 I also completed Track 5, with ACBC certification still in progress. We have just recently picked back up on training with Track 1 virtual training in the Fall 2021. I’ve taken cases since 2014 whether they be individual men, marriage cases, and most recently teens. I have been involved in the EIBCC (Eastern Iowa Biblical Counseling Coalition) since around 2015 which is a monthly source of encouragement and equipping from regional counselors.
In 2018 when Pastor Jason transitioned to California, he handed off the biblical counseling ministry to myself and a small team. We have been in “maintenance mode” so to speak, still serving those in our church body (and some from outside) since that time. Once on staff in 2022, I have started to initiate a few changes in our process to better serve our church family. And with that, our four core counselors have reached our counseling capacity for the first time in years! This is encouraging, and a great segway into the next question.
What are some future plans that I have with Biblical Counseling?
This is a loaded question! There is so much that I’d like to do, but let me add a few key things on my mind as we continue into the next ministry year this fall:
- Equip a few additional counselors (and clarify the on-boarding path for them).
- Increased awareness of the Stonebridge Biblical Counseling ministry, it’s fit in our discipleship process, and how we can help others take their next step with Jesus.
- Regular/Repeated training (track or track-like training in the fall, classes in the Spring). Also, partnering with near-by churches for cohorts for the virtual training (this is in progress).
- Working soul care principles into the DNA of our church family; a good starting point is Groups training this August.
- Progress on my ACBC Certification!
Why should you take a next step with Biblical Counseling?
I love theology and doctrine and have enjoyed studying God’s word over the years. I love the practical theology of Biblical Counseling, how the Holy Spirit uses the training and experience to shape me in the specific areas of my life in each season, and how He also then in turn uses that to impact the lives of others. I don’t feel sufficient in myself, but He is sufficient in all that He provides to His people; the Spirit, His word, prayer, His people. Maybe you feel the same? Insufficient, or perhaps fearful too? If you have a humility before the Lord to be changed, a teachability that places you as a student/counselee before the Lord at all times, and a heart to see others make progress in Christ, then you would fit right in. Again, He is sufficient to accomplish the change that He wants to see in His people, and He uses us to accomplish that. Be willing to be used by the Lord in this way and see what He does in and through you, for His glory!