CONFIDENTIALITY POLICY

Biblical Counseling

Confidentiality is an important aspect of the biblical counseling process, and we carefully guard the information you entrust to us. However, there are five situations when it may be necessary for us to share certain information with others:
 
When a staff member is uncertain of how to address a particular problem and needs to seek advice from another pastor, elder or biblical counseling staff person in this church.  
       Proverbs 15:22 - Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.

When a counselee attends another church and it is necessary to talk with his or her pastor or elder.
          Proverbs 15:22 - Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.
          Proverbs 28:13 - Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
 
When there is a clear indication that someone may harm him/herself or others.
          Proverbs 24:11 - Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.

When a person persistently refuses to renounce a particular sin and it becomes necessary to seek the assistance of others in the church to encourage repentance and reconciliation.
          Matthew 18:15-16 - If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.
          Proverbs 28:13 - Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

When a crime has been committed.
          Romans 13:1 - Let every person be subject to the governing authorities...

Please be assured that our staff members strongly prefer not to disclose personal information to others, and they will make every effort to help you find ways to resolve issues of sin appropriately, and privately, if possible.