Family Life/Counseling FAQ's

How would you describe Belmont Church?
As I look at us I see a community of God's children who have joyously returned to our heavenly Father through Jesus' redemptive work. But we bring with us unhealed relational wounds as a consequence of what has been done to us and what we have done to others. These are called "wounded/wounding ways" in Psalm 139:24. Our loving Father desires to heal us and lead us out of these ways into His way of life.

What does God want for us?
He wants us to be whole – spirit, soul and body. To this end we believe He has called us to be a church that is truly a refuge, a safe place where those who mourn are comforted, the brokenhearted are bound up and the captives are set free. (see Isaiah 61) Within the supportive community of faith we grow to maturity and become more like Jesus; we learn to live out our full identity as God's children. (Romans 8:29)

How do we grow to maturity as God's children?
As children need time and different family relationships in order to mature, so it is with God's children in His family, the church. Meeting together regularly with some type of cell or small group fellowship is a beginning place for God’s “soul restoration” process in our life together. Sometimes we simply need to listen in love as one of us shares hurts or sorrows. Sometimes we need to be vessels of healing as one confesses sin and another speaks forgiveness.

Sometimes we get stuck and need special support groups/classes that emphasize accountability and equipping for healthy relationships. These special needs/recovery groups are forming on an ongoing basis as leaders identify themselves and establish connecting relationships with church leaders. Groups are announced on the website and the weekend announcement sheet. Contact Charlie Newman or Betty Hunnicutt at 256-2123 if you have need for a special group or are interested in leading a group.

What about Christian counseling?
Sometimes we need the services of a full-time Christian counselor, a mature brother or sister in Christ who is gifted by God and well-trained in a particular area of ministry. In addition to offering traditional mental health services within a Christian context a Christian counselor might offer specialized training in what we hope will be healthy Christian living. A Christian counselor might help someone learn how to do such things as; grieve or mourn, repent, confess, forgive, ask forgiveness, have healthy family relationships, walk in gratitude and thanksgiving, give up judging and blaming others, take personal responsibility for actions, or live within the boundaries established by God for healthy relationships. The Nashville area has many godly counselors who work in partnership with the leaders of Belmont Church in times of special need for our members. Many are members of the Nashville Area Association of Christian Counselors (NAACC), www.nashvilleaacc.org.

Does Belmont Church have a Christian counseling center?
No, we have a counseling office that is staffed by one of our pastors, Charlie Newman, and his ministry assistant, Betty Hunnicutt. They work together to make sure Belmont members have the counseling support to meets their needs, either providing the counseling directly or partnering with one of the many excellent Christian counselors in the Nashville area to provide specialized counseling services. Many of these counselors are members of the NAACC.

What do I do if I have a question about counseling?
Contact Charlie Newman or Betty Hunnicutt at 256-2123.

What is Theotherapy? How is Belmont involved with Theotherapy?
Theotherapy (God-healing) is a Christian ministry that helps people experience the presence of God in every area of life, especially places of unresolved conflict, loss and hurt. Belmont Church has been in partnership with the national office of Theotherapy since 1996, hosting seminars, retreats and training opportunities. For more information about Theotherapy visit www.theotherapyseminars.org

Sexual Wholeness
For several years we have partnered with Desert Stream, founded by Andy Comiskey, a ministry committed to bringing the truth of God’s Word to men and women who have experienced relational and sexual brokenness. Their web site is www.desertstream.org. We are also advocate ministries endorsed by Exodus International, a worldwide interdenominational Christian organization called to encourage, strengthen, unify and equip Christians to minister the transforming power of the Lord Jesus Christ to those affected by homosexuality. Use this link, www.exodus-international.org, to find a ministry in your area.