Ministry Discernment for MFCC Counselors

Background and Purpose

Discernment, affirmation, and counsel – all are helpful in persons reaching their potential as therapists. MBBS is committed to walking with students through their Seminary career and to provide these supports. MF-660 is designed to assess suitability of the student for the profession of counseling, integrate a student’s development as a counselor and to assess readiness for ministry in counseling.

Time Line

Students will complete a battery of inventories during the second half of their first semester as part of their mentoring group.

Early in the second semester, select a therapist to work with during your program. If married, you may wish to also attend marital therapy with your spouse.

MFCC students should enroll in MF-660 and complete their ministry discernment before January 1st, their last semester of practicum.

Discernment meetings should be scheduled during the last half of the first practicum semseter and before the final semester of practicum. Attach your personality inventory results to the reports sent to the MFCC faculty. Also submit videotapes of your counseling sessions.

Final copies of discernment reports are due to the faculty advisor and the registrar’s office by March 1 of the year a student plans to graduate.

Discernment Process

The student, in consultation with the faculty advisor chooses the discernment group members. The group is composed of:

  • At least two MBBS faculty, including your advisor
  • The student’s spouse, if married
  • Two students who know you well
  • Current supervisor
  • Someone outside the field of counseling or psychotherapy

The student and advisor should agree on a place and time (1-1.5 hour block) for the discernment meeting. The student is responsible for reserving the room and any audiovisual equipment. The discernment group will dialogue around gifts, seminary experience, and goals for ministry as a therapist. The student’s faculty advisor chairs the meeting.

Preparation for the session should include the following:

1. Choosing a Group

Submit a list of proposed discernment group members to the advisor prior to contacting them and a minimum of two (2) weeks prior to the scheduled meeting. Given the advisor’s approval, the student may proceed with making the contacts and arrangements. The student’s written report and the letter to participants in Ministry Discernment should be made available to all group members at least one week in advance of the meeting.

2. Making Arrangements

Reserve a meeting room with the receptionist. Traditionally, the student prepares light refreshments as part of their group time.

3. Preparing for the Discernment Meeting

The student should arrange to have a discernment group member (not the student’s spouse) serve as a recorder for the meeting. There is a guide for writing a discernment report. The recorder should return a written report to be reviewed and approved by both the student and the faculty advisor. The report will then be forwarded to the registrar. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the report is approved by his or her faculty advisor, and that the corrected copy of this discernment report is submitted. Students are not cleared for graduation until this is done.

4. The Discernment Report

You must complete a discernment report.