Biblical Counseling

Lay Biblical Counseling

At Ironwood Church, we believe lasting hope is found in Jesus Christ and that God's Word provides the foundation for caring well for people. Our biblical counseling ministry seeks to understand each person's unique story with compassion, recognizing the complexity of suffering, trauma, relationships, and life experiences while applying the hope and wisdom of Scripture.

Our lay biblical counselors are mature believers who have received training to provide one-on-one, Bible-based care within the context of the local church. Their desire is not merely problem-solving but helping people grow in their own relationship with Christ, recognize they are not powerless, and become more faithful disciples regardless of whether their circumstances change.

Lay biblical counselors are not licensed mental health professionals and do not diagnose mental health conditions or provide psychotherapy. Rather, they serve as part of Ironwood's care ministry, offering biblical encouragement and guidance while recognizing the limits of their role. While we are trauma informed, sometimes a person's needs extend beyond the scope of lay biblical counseling. We will gladly help connect them with a licensed therapist, or other appropriate resources that may be of help.

Whether you are walking through relationship difficulties, grief, anxiety, suffering, conflict, or other challenges, our desire is that you would not walk alone. While we cannot control the choices or actions of others, we can grow in how we respond, steward what God has entrusted to us, and trust Him with what is beyond our control.

**We are currently building out a new counseling ministry and process at Ironwood Church, and at this time are not accepting new applications or appointments. Please refer to the additional resources document for immediate needs. If you have questions or would like assistance in determining the best next step for your situation, please email our Lead Care Coordinator, Gina Mendez.

Age Policy

At this time, our counseling services are available to adults 21 and older. We recognize the unique needs of children, adolescents, and young adults, and want to ensure they receive specialized care.

Here are some of the trusted resources and referrals specifically for younger individuals and their families:

• Path of Life Counseling

• The Well

Pre-Marital Counseling

If you are recently or soon-to-be engaged, we recommend pursuing pre-marital counseling. Pre-marital counseling involves multiple meetings between the couple and experienced pre-marital counselors at the church, working together through reading material and scripture designed to the help the engaged couple wisely prepare for a successful marriage relationship. If you want to take this step, please complete the Pre-Marital Request form.

**Please note that pre-marital counseling is required for an Ironwood Church pastor to officiate a wedding ceremony.