This specialization offers biblical and practical guidelines designed to enhance the counselor’s call to promote reconciliation, restoration, and peacemaking.
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ACBC Certified Member
Throughout the process of study and testing, I learned priceless, new tools that I now use on a regular basis. I would recommend this specialization to any counselor who wants to sharpen his skills as he seeks to help people in conflict.
The first phase of specialization training has ACBC Certified Counselors engage in quality instruction offered through one of our Certified Training Centers as well as complete reading from a pre-approved book list.
To receive the specialization in reconciliation counseling a certified member must first complete a minimum of 15 hours of instruction covering the following approved topics.
This topic will consider our responsibility from God to be ministers of reconciliation according to 2 Corinthians 5 and describe the biblical characteristics of reconciliation from Ephesians 4:1-7 paying special attention to horizontal reconciliation (e.g. between people) in light of vertical reconciliation (e.g. between God and man).
This topic will apply key peacemaking principles found in Matthew 7 and examine the biblical characteristics of repentance from 2 Corinthians 7:10-11.
This topic will explore promises of forgiveness according to Ephesians 4:25-32 and by studying Proverbs 19:11 and 1 Peter 4:8 describe the need to “lovingly cover” sin and how that relates to loving confrontation.
This topic teach through “The Four G’s of Conflict Resolution” as well as “The P.A.U.S.E. Principle” both from Ken Sande’s The Peacemaker.
This topic will provide Christian characteristics of peacemakers (e.g. humility, mild-hearted, quite living) and describe qualities to avoid that lead to conflict (e.g. gossip, quick-tempered, etc.).
This topic includes an exegesis 1 Peter 4:19 and Romans 12:18-21 to explain how one should trust God and seek peace in overcoming evil with good.
This topic will explain how idolatry arouses and contributes to conflict (e.g. selfish ambition and vain conceit).
This topic will explore 1 Corinthians 10:23-32, 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:13 and Matthew 18:15-35 as it relates to matters of conscience, matters of sin, and when and how to confront biblically.
This topic will show the opportunity presented by conflict and provide spiritual roots of continued conflict (e.g. root of bitterness, etc.)
This topic will strive to live at peace among those in the world emphasizing the expectation to love our enemies (Romans 13 and Matthew 10: 16-23) and seek peace through confrontation and repentance.
The topic will seek to exposit Ephesians 6:5-9 and Matthew 15:1-9 in understanding the roles and responsibilities for parents and children.
This topic will show the need for discipline as flock care from Acts 20:28-32 and describe the responsibility of submission to church authority from Hebrews 13:17.
This topic will explore commands given to employees and employers.
To receive specialization in marriage counseling a member must complete 700 pages of reading from the following approved books:
Help! I’m in a Conflict | Ernie Baker |
Unpacking Forgiveness | Chris Brauns |
Redeeming Church Conflict | Tara Barthel and David Edling |
Pursuing Peace | Robert Jones |
The Freedom and Power of Forgiveness | John MacArthur |
The Peacemaker | Ken Sande |
Peacemaking for Families | Ken Sande |
The Young Peacemaker | Corlette Sande |
The second phase of specialization training will provide an opportunity for ACBC Certified Counselors to demonstrate their understanding of subject matter through an objective question exam and a written exam that contains case studies.
In order to be cleared for the Examination Phase, you will need to complete and submit the Application for Specialization Exam Access.
Anyone who desires to grow in the knowledge and skill in this area of counseling will benefit from earning the Reconciliation Counseling Specialization.
However, for any component of the training to count towards earning the Reconciliation Counseling Specialization, the trainee must first be a certified member of ACBC. Once you successfully pass the exam portion, your profile on our “Find a Counselor” map will be updated to reflect that you have earned that specialization.
ACBC Counseling Specializations are offered exclusively through our Certified Training Centers (CTCs). Training and instructions for the Reconciliation Counseling Specialization must be taught by an ACBC Certified Counselor who offers this training through a Certified Training Center.
These trainings are offered by our CTCs throughout the year both online and in-person.
Certified members who desire to earn the Reconciliation Counseling Specialization have one (1) year from beginning the training to the successful passing of the written exams.
In addition to any fees associated with the Certified Training Center offering the specialization training, there is a one-time non-refundable feel of $50.00 associated with the specialization exam.
At present, the Reconciliation Counseling Specialization is an optional advanced training opportunity for our certified members. In the future, they may be a part of Continuing Education requirements for ACBC members.