Three things have helped make this decision:

1. A church, Grace Point Community, that values furthering education to point of attaching that to a part of our benefits package as a staff member.
2. A Senior Pastor, Terry Lewis, that is CONSTANTLY in a learning mindset. In fact he is currently in the middle of his Doctor of Ministry program.  He is always challenging us and pushing us to grow in our faith and in our understanding.
3. A wife that is VERY supportive.  Without Anna encouraging this it would be impossible to pursue.
4. A volunteer staff that loves me and EPIC ministry and rallies behind the students and each other to accomplish what needs to be done.

So, I am now a Master of Professional Counseling student at Liberty University (Lynchburg, VA).  For the next 12 weeks my posts on this site may be sporadic but hope to keep up.

Below is the course description for the class I am currently in:

COUN 501:  COUNSELOR PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY, FUNCTION, AND ETHICS

This course introduces students to concepts regarding the professional functioning of counselors, including history, roles, professional organizations, ethics, legalities, standards, and credentialing.
Current issues in therapeutic practice in a variety of professional settings are explored.
This course provides students with an understanding of various aspects of professional functioning as a counselor. Some of these aspects include the following: the relevance of personal identity to professional identity; the function of professional ethical codes and standards; ethical/legal considerations; the development of a biblical worldview regarding counseling; the history and development of counseling as a profession and as a distinct ministry of the church; roles, functions, and relationships with other providers; technology; professional organizations, primarily including
the AACC and ACA, with emphasis on divisions/branches, affiliates, benefits, activities, member services, current emphases, credentialing, certification/licensure, and accreditation; public policy and professional advocacy; advocacy on behalf of clients; and current challenges/opportunities facing today’s counselor.