Assoc. of Pastoral Counselors Qualifications & Certification

Mailing Address:

Association of Pastoral Counselors

Box 1934

Redmond, OR 97756

Contact Us

Association of Pastoral Counselors

Continuing Education Guidelines for Pastoral Counselors

Commonly Asked Questions

Church Charter Info (Church, School, Fellowship House, or Counseling Center)

Application for Charter

Qualifications and Certification

Ministers are men and women called of God to serve the church in an official leadership capacity who normally have special education for such a ministry, whose leadership roles are certified through licensure, and who receive financial remuneration for their services. This includes ministers such as pastors, pastoral counselors, evangelists, Christian education or youth ministers, chaplains, or persons directly involved in the theological training of people for ministry.

We at ODB take licensing and ordination very seriously as this is not about religion or just about paperwork it is about being in God's will and being able to demonstrate His will in love and unity first to the body and then to those He calls ministers to lead. It is about being dedicated not just to teach and preach, which is a small portion of ministry but to walk with all in love and to be an example. People follow and do what we do as ministers more than what we say. Although we do not turn anyone away, being a minister with ODB, licensed or ordained should be taken seriously and soberly. It is about covenant with God and each other to accomplish His will and purpose. Each prospective minister must understand the following:

What God is looking for in a minister and what we are looking for:

1) know that you were called of God

2) know you were led by God and led by God to ODB

3) ability to led by example and desire to walk with people

4) know God’s plan for yourself, locally, globally and be able to help believers find God’s plan for themselves

5) understand the needs of the people or community you are called to serve and dedicated to helping people with their needs in body, soul and Spirit and communicate those needs to us and or others so we all can seek His will for them

6) fruit of the Spirit

7) work to edify the body and bring the body together in love and unity

8) dedicated to a life of seeking God and prayer

9) demonstrate the heart of God, focused more on service than teaching or preaching

10) teach and preach Christ Crucified both Jesus the head and the body

11) willingness to work as one body globally to pray for others, work with others, exhort others, encourage others and support each others ministry

12) acceptance of five fold gift ministry and willingness to work with His ministry, apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, which provides balance for the body

13) tithing

14) ability to follow simple directions especially if you know that you were led by God to ODB

Although these may seem as difficult standards, it is all designed by Him to bring love and unity.

We are called to:

Gather the body to work as one body and walk together as one body.

To Understand and Accept Gods way's for stability, growth and provision.

Build the body of Christ and each member so they can be strong and do what they have been called to do.

Equip the Saints for the work of the ministry using the Five-Fold Gift Ministry, to reach all on earth with His way's Covenants and Commandments.

Send and support those called to gather, demonstrate His will and ways, to build the body, locally and globally for God to provide all needs through Christ, because it is the only way to deal with all needs.

To teach His Ways, Covenants, Commandments for God's Covenant blessing.

Things you can count on:

1) walk with each one God sends us

2) pray support for you, those you help and prayer support for your ministry

3) helping you locate resources so you can help those in need in the area you have been called to serve

4) provide training & training materials and studies for you and those you may train in the future

5) Spiritual covering

6) work with each minister to help each fulfill God’s plan in their life

7) help supply back room support, mentorship and counseling in ministry

8) Being part of God’s plan to reach every person globally with His love

9) Most importantly: Global vision, connection and representation: We can do all things through Christ, Jesus as the head and the body if we all work as one body to accomplish His will locally and globally. It is about covenant with God and each other to accomplish His will for any hope of a future.

Be assured we will work with all those that God sends.

Certification for Membership of the Association of Pastoral Counselors

Be a Licensed or Ordained Minister (Does not have to Licensed by ODB) in a Church or hold a Church Charter. If you do not have a charter click here.

Read and Agreed to the following:

Articles of Faith

Have a working knowledge of Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Dissonance Theory & Pastoral Counseling

Standards of Practice

Submit Application for Membership with Annual fee of $19

Continuing Education Guidelines for Pastoral Counselors (for ODB Certified Counselors)

I am responsible…..

When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, I want our hand always to be there. For that I am responsible.

We are responsible both to God

and each other.

Association of Pastoral Counselors