6 / 8
6
TRANS FORMAT ION
A
Lifeway Research study on Christian
leadership reveals that we have a transfor-
mation problem in our lives and in our
churches (Geiger, Kelley, & Nation, 2012,
p. 17). While the majority of churchgoers
desire to honor Christ with their lives and even profess
to think on biblical truths, the LifeWay Research study
found that few people actually engage in personal read-
ing and study of Scripture. This study has implications
for Christian counselors who believe that counseling is
more than simply knowledge transmission and behavior
modification, but it also engages elements of disciple-
ship and transformation. Transformational counseling
recognizes that God is in control of everything, and
transformed counselors immerse themselves in the Word
of God, as they allow the Holy Spirit to permeate their
thoughts, decisions, and actions.
by Ian F. Jones, Ph.D., Ph.D.
While Christians are called to lead
transformed lives, research shows that
relatively few do. Christian counselors
should seek personal transformation and
spiritual maturity that allows them to
see the world through God’s eyes and
communicate the love of God and love
of neighbor in biblically effective ways.
TRANSFORMATIONAL
CHRISTIAN
COUNSELING