November 2007


Our faith may be the substance of things hoped for as well as a powerful force for positive change in our lives. But what happens when faith gets sick?

This month we look at the important topic of toxic faith. If not recognized, it can take away our joy, our peace of mind, and can also distort God’s image while leading people astray. The antidote is sound Biblical teaching and an understanding of mental and emotional health. The church and the Christian counseling field have much to contribute in this arena.

Dr. Joe Verga
Executive Director, ACC


Toxic Faith — An Interview with Dr. Joe Verga

What is toxic faith?

Toxic faith is faith that has become contaminated by something unhealthy or un-Biblical. Emotional problems, superstition, a desire for personal profit, or to manipulate or control would be examples of possible contaminants.
Read More


When Faith Gets Sick

Nearly everyone has been asked the question, “What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word…..?” If that blank is filled in with either the word “Christian” or the word “church,” how would you respond? How would your co-worker, or your neighbor, or member of your family respond? Read More



 

 

Next Month’s Topic:
Keeping the Spirit in Christmas—Dealing with Holiday Stress

Wednesday, December 5th, 8:30-9AM on WBFJ—89.3FM

Book Reviews

Bring ‘Em Back Alive: A Healing Plan for Those Wounded by the Church
David Burchett
WaterBrook Press, 2004
Every believer is part of the Body of Christ. Whether we are the wounded or the wounders, we are called by God to seek restoration. Includes questions for discussion and reflection.


Toxic Faith: Experiencing Healing from Painful Spiritual Abuse
Steve Arterburn and Jack Felton
Shaw Publishing, 2001
When religion becomes a means to avoid or control life, it becomes toxic. The authors distinguish between healthy faith and misguided religiosity and show readers how to find hope for a return to a genuine, healthy faith that adds meaning to life.

When Bad Christians Happen to Good People: where We Have Failed Each Other and How to Reverse the Damage
David Burchett
WaterBrook Press, 2002
Targeting every person who has ever been hurt by a Christian as well as those believers responsible for inflicting such damaging wounds, the author calls for a new way of relating that will bring healing to the church and transform our witness to the world.

Out and About in the Community

Through the outreach of our Speakers Bureau, Associates’staff members have been featured at:

1st Presbyterian Church
MOPS Group
Men’s Ministry

11th Grade Moms Group of Reynolds High School Students

Calvary Baptist Church
God Encounters—Women’s Ministry

Clemmons Public Library

Forsyth County Prison Ministry

Kingsway Chapel Pentecostal Holiness Church Women’s Ministry

Mt. Tabor United Methodist Church
Fall Fling—Women’s Ministry

On Wings Like a Dove Support Group

Reynolda Presbyterian Mission Fair

River Oaks Community Church
Men's Fellowship

WSSU Health Fair

For more information regarding our Speakers Bureau, contact us at heather@christiancounseling.org

Celebrating an Anniversary!

The partnership between Associates in Christian Counseling and Surry Baptist Association celebrated its first anniversary on November 1st. With Associates therapist, John Shuler, providing services at Surry Christian Counseling Center, those from southern VA and the Mt. Airy area are able to receive treatment close to home.

SCCC Golf Tournament

Surry Christian Counseling Center holds an annual golf tournament to support the Client Assistance Fund for people coming to their center. This year’s event was held on Saturday, October 6th. The beautiful weather brought out 41 golfers who helped to raise $13,272.33. This money will assist those with financial need to receive services at SCCC.

United Way - A Way to Give Wachovia
- A Matching Program

Each fall brings the United Way campaign to our community.

Did you know you may designate that your donation be given to
Associates in Christian Counseling?

ACC’s code number is 2062.

If you write 2062 on the United Way form,
ACC will receive your gift.


Wachovia employees have a special opportunity to support
Associates in Christian Counseling.

Any gift of up to $1000/year given directly to ACC will be matched by
Wachovia!

Simply give your gift to ACC along with your completed Matching Gift Form.

A Unique Way to Give

Do you have a car you no longer need or just can’t seem to sell?

Here’s a way to turn it into a year-end donation to Associates.

Contact:
Car Program, Inc.
800-513-6560
www.donateacar.com

Be sure to tell them you’d like to designate your gift to Associates in Christian Counseling!

Honor Someone for Christmas

We welcome the opportunity to help you honor someone special at Christmas by designating a gift to Associates in Christian Counseling in their name. Your thoughtfulness will be acknowledged by letter to them and their name will appear in our January e-newsletter.

If you are interested in giving a gift In Honor Of or In Memory Of someone, please contact Rick Cole at 336-896-0065, ext. 205 or rcole@christiancounseling.org


 


A Thought

…sometimes you have to suffer as much from the church
as you do for it…

Flannery O’Connor


Fast Facts

Of 469 formerly churched adults who stopped attending—
59% cited life-situation reasons
37% cited disenchantment with pastor/church

Life-situation reasons—
Too busy
Family/home responsibilities
Moved away
Work
Divorced or separated

Disenchantment reasons—
Seemed hypocritical
Judgemental of others
Felt like outsiders

LifeWay Research Surveys Formerly Churched
(Part 1) 10/9/06
www.lifeway.com


Thank You

A special thanks to our wonderful volunteers from
Winston-Salem State University for their help with our
recent mailing.




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This e-newsletter is published monthly by Associates in Christian Counseling Heather M. Verga, Editor
Questions or comments—e-mail us at info@christiancounseling.org