NANC

If you don't go to our church, you may not know what that title is all about. Then again, if you do go to our church, you might still not know :-). NANC stands for National Association of Nouthetic Counselors, and in English, is basically a certifying organization for biblical counselors. Our church has joined with the NANC organization as part of the early stages for setting up a local counseling center open to the community. Back in February (see previous posts from then) Rich and I went to Indiana for NANC's Track 1, which was a week long seminar on the basics of biblical counseling. There are also Tracks 2-6, each getting more in depth into biblical counseling. Track 1 was SO amazing! Not only for opening the door for the counseling ministry, but also for us as individuals and for our marriage! In the back of my head, I've always wanted to do some counseling. In fact, I've even thought a little bit about going back to school for psychology, but I always thought it wasn't something I'd want to do for a "job". When this NANC opportunity came up, and especially after going through Track 1, I realized psychology is soo not what I wanted to do with my life. It was decided, if I was ever going to counsel, it would be through this route. Biblically, period. Well, after much prayer, hmming and huhing, I've decided to go through the grueling process of getting certified. Now, as you may recall reading, I'm already certified through Crown Financial Ministries to do biblical financial counseling, but this should not be compared to that. The NANC certification is not even close to being on the same scale as the other. For the financial certification, I just had to do a 10 week self study and a 1 day class and wam, I was certified! Here's a small grasp of what it takes to get certified through NANC: At least Track 1 (yay! one step down!) I will be going back to Indiana again in February for another week for Track 2. A theology exam (more to come on that as I start it), we're talking 20 or so questions which must be answered in 1 to 1-1/2 pages each. Then a counseling exam, I think there were 28 questions, with the same 1 to 1-1/2 page answer requirement. Then I will do 50 hours of counseling that is overseen by a mentor, who will then either ok me to be certified, or make me continue being overseen until he sees fit. I will end this post with saying I'm SOO excited that God put this opportunity in front of me, but as I look at the work ahead, I feel extremely overwhelmed and under educated. If I cross your mind in the next few months, would you please pray for me? I will most definitely need God to help me understand what I'm learning, remember it, memorize many many verses, and keep me from quiting :-). I'll keep you "posted"! And maybe share with you some of what I learn through the exam. Did I mention it's open book? Thank goodness!