By Shannon Baker, BCM/D National Correspondent
ASHTON, Md.—CentrePointe Counseling, Inc., now offers a church partnership program that supports and extends the ministry of the local church. Through partnership, CentrePointe makes professional counseling and consultation services more accessible to church members and pastors.
CentrePointe Counseling offers Christ-based counseling services to those seeking healing throughout the state of Maryland in nearly 25 different locations.
Encouraged by its accrediting agency, the Samaritan Institute, to grow its ministry to clergy and congregations, CentrePointe now offers an intentional package of services for churches.
Included in the package are vouchers for use at the pastor’s discretion for members to attend counseling, the pastor to get coaching or to attend an educational event, or a counselor to present a seminar at the church. Each partner church receives two vouchers for every 100 in worship attendance (example: 600 attendance = 12 vouchers) per year.
In addition, partner churches have priority access to conflict mediation services, professional counseling assessments, church planter wellness program services and pastoral coaching services for pastors learning new skills, among other offerings.
Kim Brown, LCSW-C, executive director, said having priority is important because almost all of the counselors have waiting lists for their clients. Having priority places partner churches’ needs at the top of the list, she said.
In return, partner churches agree to help advance the mission of CentrePointe by supporting its ongoing ministry services and programs. Referrals, promotional, and prayer support are also requested.
The cost to become a Partner Church is $3/person in average worship attendance, paid once annually.
Because CentrePointe must raise over 20 percent of its budget each year beyond the amount collected in fees, a congregation’s participation as a partner church helps support CentrePointe’s ongoing mission, Cook said.
She also asks churches to remember the CentrePointe staff, board, and clients in prayer.
“Please consider listing the ministry of CentrePointe in your church prayer lists and ask the congregation to remember our needs,” she said. “We know from our conversations with other counseling centers that a strong partnership with churches is the key to sustaining ministry.”
For more information or request an informational visit, contact Cook at (800) 491-5369 ext. 102 or by email at info@centrepointecounseling.org or visit online at www.centrepointecounseling.org.