What is a growth partner?
A growth partner is a mature Christian from the counselee’s church who will walk through the counseling process with you to help you put God’s Word into practice both during and after the conclusion of counseling.
What are the reasons to have a growth partner?
- God made the local church the means of grace in the believer’s life and put your pastor and church leaders in charge of caring for your soul. Our ministry is to help the church care for souls. Hebrews 10:24-25; 13:17
- It brings someone alongside the counselee who cares for and encourages them as a close friend throughout and beyond the counseling process. Galatians 6:1-2
- If no one from the church is aware of the counseling, after it is finished, there is sometimes a tendency to fall back into old habits, as there is no longer anyone to keep them accountable. If there is a growth partner, they will be able to continue praying for and encouraging the counselee and help keep them accountable.
What are the growth partner’s responsibilities?
- Attend each session with the counselee. If you are unable to attend all sessions, please attend as many as possible. (Approximately one hour)
- Each week, when you are unable to attend the session:
o Receive an update from the counselor by email or phone call. (5-30 minutes, normally very brief)
o Debrief after each session with the counselee. (15-30 minutes) - Follow up with the counselee during the week for prayer, accountability, and encouragement. (5-15 minutes)
- Check in with the counselor to share your growth, updates, and concerns as needed.
- Once counseling has finished, continue to follow up regularly for prayer, accountability, and encouragement.
What are the Counselee’s Responsibilities?
- Faithfulness in attending the counseling sessions and completing the projects for growth.
- Schedule a debrief (by phone or in person) with your growth partner within two days after the meeting if they are unable to attend. Share:
o What you learned in the session.
o What projects for growth you were given.
o Any growth or additional problems that you see.
Do I need to have a growth partner?
We will notify you before counseling begins if we require a growth partner. If we don’t mention it to you, you do not need one. Normally, we request a growth partner for those who come for counseling from other like-minded, Gospel-centered, Bible-believing churches.
How do I obtain a growth partner?
- Ask your pastor. He would be a great growth partner, and it is preferred that either your pastor or another church leader fulfill this role.
- The growth partner must be a mature believer.
- The growth partner must be willing to fulfill the responsibilities associated with this role.
- It’s recommended that the person be of the same sex as the counselee.
- Your pastor must approve the growth partner that you use.