This sermon was preached by Dr. Timothy Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on December 6, 1992. Series: Salvation From the Outside In. Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-10.

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What makes the local church the natural home for biblical counseling?

In part 6 of our 7-part series on CCEF's distinctives, Gunner Gundersen is joined by Jonathan Holmes and Ed Welch to discuss why care and counsel are pastoral and at home in the church. Together they explore the beauty of face-to-face ministry—the calling of every Christian, and the unique role of parachurch organizations in serving the local church.

Along the way, they reflect on stories of faithful ministry, the ordinary conversations God uses to bring change, and the vision of a church where every member participates in caring for one another.

Mentioned in this episode:

- Explore CCEF books at ccef.org/book
- Learn more about our beliefs and distinctives at ccef.org/about
- Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands | Book by Paul David Tripp
- Side by Side | Book by Ed Welch

In today’s episode of The BCC Podcast, Kevin Carson, Executive Director of the Biblical Counseling Coalition, is joined by Dr. Ernie Baker, Chair of the Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling at The Master’s University and Director of Training for Biblical Counseling Ministries Worldwide (BCMW). With nearly five decades of ministry experience spanning pastoral ministry, theological education, counseling, and global missions, Ernie reflects on God’s providential leading from Florida back to California and shares how the Lord continues to expand opportunities for equipping the next generation of biblical counselors.

Kevin and Ernie discuss the historic role of The Master’s University in the biblical counseling movement and the exciting developments taking place within its graduate program. Ernie introduces two new Master of Arts emphases—Biblical Counseling and Missions and Biblical Counseling and Mediation—designed to prepare students to faithfully apply Scripture in cross-cultural ministry and conflict resolution. Together, they highlight the importance of equipping counselors who are grounded in God’s Word and prepared to serve both the local church and the global mission of Christ.

The conversation also explores the work of Biblical Counseling Ministries Worldwide, which trains pastors and church leaders in more than 60 countries while providing counseling resources and theological education around the globe. Ernie explains how the partnership between BCMW and The Master’s University seeks to identify and equip faithful leaders who can return to their own nations to strengthen churches through biblical counseling and discipleship.

Rooted in Romans 11:33–36, Ernie closes the conversation by reflecting on the beautiful truth that all things are from God, through God, and to God. Whether in counseling, ministry, education, or everyday life, believers are reminded that Christ is both the source and the goal of all they do, calling His people to live for His glory alone.

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Genesis 2:16-17