Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct & Best PracticeS

Introduction
The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments exert a governing authority on both the terms and the content of Christian discipleship and biblical soul-care. Christian discipleship and biblical soul-care—which are often referred to as biblical counseling—occur in relationships where the counselor moves toward troubled people to guide them to learn and effectively apply God’s Word to the struggles they faced in a fallen world. Holy Scripture is authoritative in governing those relationships, whether they happen in a formal counseling context or informally through living life together (one-anothering). The same Scriptures also claim to directly and sufficiently address the problems, questions, troubles, and struggles that people confront when they seek counseling help.

Truth in Love Biblical Counseling exists to help the church of Jesus Christ excel in the ministry of discipleship and biblical soul-care. We are bound by God’s Word in the 66 books of the Bible as our standard for soul-care and discipling practice. Therefore, we affirm the following commitments as a summary of the terms by which we ought to order our soul-care and discipling relationships. We shall use these standards of soul-care and discipling conduct to evaluate the faithfulness of those commissioned for soul-care and certified as biblical counselors endorsed by our organization.

Commitment 1: The Bible is the complete, final authority on all matters it addresses, including soul-care and discipleship.
We affirm that the Bible is God’s inspired (“God-breathed”) Word and is in its original manuscripts without error. Therefore, we believe that the Bible is the complete and sufficient guide for our lives and is the only source of truth about God and His will for us.

Commitment 2: The goal of soul-care and discipleship is godliness.
We affirm that the Bible teaches that we are to be conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29) and that we are to grow in our knowledge of Him (2 Peter 3:18). We believe that soul-care and discipleship are essential for helping people grow in godliness.

Commitment 3: The Bible is the primary means of soul-care and discipleship.
We affirm that the Bible is the most effective tool for helping people grow in godliness. Therefore, we believe that soul-care and discipleship ought to be based on the teachings of the Bible and that they are to be used to help people apply the Bible to their lives.

Commitment 4: The Holy Spirit is the primary agent of soul-care and discipleship.
We affirm that the Holy Spirit is the one who convicts us of sin, leads us to repentance, and enables us to grow in godliness. Therefore, soul-care and discipleship ought to be done in the power of the Holy Spirit and be used to help people experience the fullness of the Spirit's work in their lives.

Commitment 5: The church is the primary context for soul-care and discipleship.
We affirm that the church is the body of Christ and the place where we grow in our relationship with Christ and with one another. Therefore, we believe that soul-care and discipleship ought to be done within the context of the church and that they ought to be used to help people build strong relationships with Jesus Christ and other believers.

Commitment 6: Soul-care and discipleship are relational.
We affirm that people are made in the image of God and that they are designed for relationships. Therefore, we believe that soul-care and discipleship ought to be done in the context of one-anothering relationships and that they ought to be used to help people grow in their relationships with God and with others. Those involved are spiritually equal; there is no hierarchy in these relationships.

Commitment 7: Soul-care and discipleship are holistic.
We affirm that people are composed of body, soul, and spirit and that soul-care and discipleship ought to address all aspects of a person's life. We believe that biblical soul-care and discipleship ought to be used to help people grow in their physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual health centered on and grounded in Jesus Christ.

Commitment 8: Soul-care and discipleship are lifelong.
We affirm that the Christian life is a growth journey and that soul-care and discipleship are essential for helping people grow in godliness throughout their lives. We believe that soul-care and discipleship ought to be offered to people of all ages and be used to help people grow in their relationship with Christ. While a particular counselor usually provides care for an individual, couple, family, or organization for a season, it is an ongoing role that the Church serves for the entirety of those person’s lives.

Defining “Soul-Care”
At Truth in Love Biblical Counseling, we hold that biblical soul-care refers to the approach of addressing and nurturing the inner spiritual life of individuals based on the principles and teachings found in the Bible. It encompasses the understanding that human beings consist of more than just physical bodies and that their spiritual well-being is vital.

In biblical soul-care, the soul is regarded as the core of a person's being, representing their mind, emotions, and will. It recognizes that the soul can experience various challenges such as emotional struggles, brokenness, grief, guilt, anxiety, and other spiritual or personal issues.

The principles of biblical soul-care involve a holistic approach that acknowledges the importance of both God's Word (the Bible) and the work of the Holy Spirit in bringing healing and restoration to the soul. It emphasizes the following key elements:

God's Word as the foundation: Biblical soul-care places a strong emphasis on the authority and sufficiency of Scripture. The Bible is considered the ultimate source of wisdom, guidance, and truth, providing answers and principles for all areas of life, and is the full, final authority on all matters it addresses.
Prayer and dependence on God: Recognizing the dependence on God's grace and intervention, biblical soul-care encourages individuals to bring their concerns, burdens, and struggles to God in prayer. It emphasizes the importance of seeking God's guidance and relying on His strength to bring about transformation and healing.
Personal relationship with Jesus Christ: A personal relationship with Jesus Christ refers to an individual's connection to, belief in, and interaction with Jesus as their Savior and Lord. It involves an intimate, ongoing, and sincere connection with Jesus, characterized by faith, love, trust, and a desire to follow His teachings. This relationship often includes prayer, studying the Bible, worship, and seeking guidance and transformation through the Holy Spirit. It is a deeply personal and transformative bond that shapes one's beliefs, values, and actions.
Transformation through the Holy Spirit: Biblical soul-care recognizes the role of the Holy Spirit in the process of renewal and transformation. It acknowledges that true change and healing come through the work of the Holy Spirit, who empowers individuals to overcome sin, cultivate virtues, and experience inner peace provided by God alone.
Taking care of our bodies: Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and we need to take care of them as such. Eating healthy foods, getting enough sleep, and regular, healthy movement can help to improve our physical health, which can also have a positive impact on our mental, emotional, and spiritual health.6. Compassionate care within the Body of Christ: Biblical soul-care emphasizes the importance of community and the role of fellow believers in providing support, encouragement, and accountability. It encourages individuals to seek wise counsel from trusted Christian disciplers, mentors, pastors, or counselors within the context of the Christian community. When we are surrounded by other believers, we are reminded that we are not alone in our struggles and that we have a community of people who care about us and want to help us and we them.
Integration of faith and practice: Biblical soul-care seeks to integrate biblical truth into daily life and practical application. It encourages individuals to align their thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors with God's Word, fostering spiritual growth and wholeness.

Overall, biblical soul-care aims to provide a framework for addressing the spiritual and emotional needs of individuals, guiding them toward a deeper relationship with God, and nurturing their overall well-being.

Articles of the Code of Conduct

I. The Commitment to Scripture
Article I of the Code of Conduct of TILBCC Biblical Counselors and Disciplers is about the commitment to Scripture. It states that biblical counselors and disciplers must use the Scriptures as the final, authoritative, and entirely sufficient source for soul-care and discipling content. They must also reject any secular counseling paradigm or modality at odds with Scripture, even on minor points. Additionally, they must properly interpret the texts of Scripture that they use in their soul-care. Finally, they must distinguish between the clear meaning of a biblical text and their opinions and applications they derive from that text.
Here is a more detailed explanation of each of these points:

Biblical counselors and disciplers must use the Scriptures as the final, authoritative, and fully sufficient source for soul-care and discipling content. This means they must base their counseling on the Bible, not any other source. They must also be willing to submit their counseling to the authority of the Bible.
Biblical counselors and disciplers must reject any secular counseling paradigm or modality that is at odds with Scripture. This means they must not use any counseling methods based on false beliefs or that contradict the Bible.
Biblical counselors and disciplers must properly interpret the texts of Scripture they use in their soul-care. They must understand the passage's context, the words' original meaning, and the author's intended meaning.
Biblical counselors and disciplers must distinguish between the clear meaning of a biblical text and their opinions and applications they derive from that text. This means they must be careful not to impose their personal opinions on the Bible. They must also be willing to admit when they are wrong about their interpretation of a passage.
The Bible is the foundation of biblical counseling, and it is essential that biblical counselors and disciplers are committed to using the Scriptures as their primary source of guidance. The Bible is the only source of truth that is entirely reliable, and it is the only source that can provide lasting help for those who are struggling.

Psalm 19; 119:25, 40, 50, 105, 107; Proverbs 6:23; 10:17; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Timothy 3:1-17; 2 Peter 1:3-21

II. The Commitment to Jesus
Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God who came in human form to save humanity from the effects of sin. Through his life, death, resurrection, and ascension to the throne at the right hand of the Father, he offers us eternal joy and serves as the ultimate solution to all of life's problems. He intends to gradually remove all of our soul-care difficulties in this life and ultimately in the next. We can access these benefits by placing our faith in Him and living a Christian life. All Christians are responsible for sharing this message with others, wherever they are.

Biblical counselors and disciplers ought to emphasize the importance of faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. Because Jesus is the solution to all of our problems, the primary goal of biblical counselors and disciplers ought to be to lead their counselees to a relationship with Jesus Christ. They ought to pray for wisdom on how to help their counselees put their faith in Him, as it is only through that relationship that troubled people can find lasting joy and sinful people be reconciled to their Creator.
Biblical counselors and disciplers ought to also emphasize the importance of faith in Jesus Christ for sanctification. Faith in Jesus Christ is necessary to begin the Christian life and grow in holiness throughout life. Counselors ought to point their believing counselees to Jesus Christ as the key to living a life of faith and receiving the fullness of their salvation on the last day.

Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 1:8; Romans 6:1-4; 10:8-13; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 4:4-6; Ephesians 4:15

III. The Commitment to Care
The commitment to soul-care and discipling conversations is rooted in the call to love others well. As Biblical counselors and disciplers, it is vital to demonstrate the love of Christ through the soul-care we offer to those who seek our help. This relationship is founded on loving care, whether in the context of formal counseling or our everyday interactions with others. Our goal is to provide a posture of loving service in our conversations and to avoid causing harm to those we help.

To care for others well, Biblical counselors and disciplers must be willing to sacrifice their time for them. Loving well sometimes requires our service to others at inconvenient times. We invest our energies in loving and serving troubled people and involve ourselves in their lives wisely and well. We may need to end a counseling or discipling relationship when it has become counterproductive. Still, we will always make a reasonable effort to connect our counselees with someone who will continue to provide authentic biblical soul-care.
To care for our counselees well, we seek to match our counseling wisdom with tangible acts of care. We recognize that limiting our soul-care to just words while avoiding acts of practical care can be a sinful demonstration of a lifeless faith. Therefore, as Biblical counselors and disciplers, we strive to see that our counselees' physical and practical needs are met wherever possible.
To care for our counselees well, we must consider financial considerations. While the Bible clearly states that ministers of the gospel are at liberty to earn their living from their service, we also recognize that the gospel of Jesus Christ is a precious gift that ought to be offered freely. Organizations and individuals providing biblical counseling and soul-care ought to prayerfully discern whether to charge fees or accept donations and how much to charge if they set a fee structure. It is important to communicate early and clearly about any fees for counseling constantly. We avoid exorbitant fees and do everything possible to avoid refusing care to those unable to pay or donate. Our care for souls is never limited only to those who can compensate our organization or us.
To soul-care well, we must protect the weak from harm. Counselees can be harmed by others or by their own actions, and we seek to avoid profane language and behavior that could cause harm to their lives. While it is impossible to protect the weak from every danger in a fallen world, we endeavor to protect our counselees from exposure to harmful treatment through false teaching, unbiblical counseling, harsh speech, abusive and oppressive treatment, and any other manifestation of sinful relationships. We actively seek to protect our counselees from harm, including from our own persistent sin.

Proverbs 3:27; Matthew 22:34-40; John 15:12-17; 1 Corinthians 9:1-18; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; 1 Timothy 5:18; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12; James 2:14-17; 1 John 2:7-11; 3:11-24

IV. The Commitment to the Church
The church is the body of Christ, and it is the primary place where believers are to grow in their faith and be equipped for ministry. Therefore, biblical counselors and disciplers are committed to the priority of the church in accomplishing their soul-care and discipling ministry. They place themselves under the leadership of a local church fellowship and pursue the accountability of the leadership there as it relates to their life, doctrine, soul-care and discipling practices.

Biblical counselors and disciplers also pursue the closest possible connections between church accountability and where they serve as counselors and disciplers. Whether the soul-care ministry is formally part of the church or church leadership provides oversight through board involvement or personal accountability of individual counselors, biblical counselors and disciplers know that the ultimate faithfulness of a counseling center is connected to its organizational proximity to Christ’s body.
Biblical counselors and disciplers must seek to involve their counselees in a faithful church fellowship. Soul-care and discipling ultimately seek, by God’s grace, to aid counselees to conform their life to behavior that reflects the character of Christ and the glory of God. Biblical counselors and disciplers understand that Christians best grow in grace when actively involved in the local church.
Biblical counselors and disciplers must seek out local church fellowships for themselves and those they counsel and disciple, which will faithfully discharge the command of Christ to show care through corrective church discipline when needed. Such discipline is one of the ways that God cares for His flock and protects the church’s purity.
Biblical counselors and disciplers committed to the church are more likely to be effective in their ministry. This is because the local church provides a supportive community where believers can grow in their faith and be equipped for ministry. It also provides a place for biblical counselors and disciplers to receive accountability and support.

Matthew 16:16-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 5:1-5; Ephesians 2:19-21; 1 Timothy 3:15; Titus 1:10; Hebrews 3:13; 10:25

V. The Commitment to Humanity
Biblical counselors and disciplers believe that all human beings are created in God's image and are, therefore, priceless to Him and worthy of dignity and respect. As part of this belief, Biblical counselors and disciplers follow certain principles when providing care to people.

Biblical counselors and disciplers must always protect life and honor God's image in humans. Therefore, they do not support abortion, euthanasia, or suicide, which go against God's will for His image bearers. Instead, they encourage people to value and preserve all human life.
Biblical counselors and disciplers understand that the heart (the “inner man”) is the source of human motivation and desire. Therefore, they aim to help people change at a deep level by addressing the root causes of their problems.
Biblical counselors and disciplers recognize that humans are physical as well as spiritual beings, and the health of their bodies is essential to their overall well-being. Therefore, biblical counselors and disciplers encourage behaviors that align with Biblical teachings and stress the importance of professional medical care when needed. They also foster good stewardship by encouraging those they provide soul-care to take care of themselves through healthy eating, proper rest, helpful movement, and overall habits that promote good health.
Biblical counselors and disciplers acknowledge that God created humans as male and female, calling them to function in different capacities. Therefore, they support the Biblical teaching on gender and encourage people to embrace their physical gender. However, they also treat those who don't embrace this doctrine with respect and dignity.
There is no Biblical mandate regarding same-gender counseling, yet it is often wise to follow this policy to avoid any hint of sin or impropriety. Men and women are encouraged to disciple each other as equal siblings in Christ, but women generally avoid counseling men unless necessary. Likewise, cross-gender counseling is to be avoided unless the circumstances are unique and the need is certain.

Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 9:6; Proverbs 4:23; 20:5; Mark 7:14-23; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 11:2-16; 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:4; Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 5:3, 22-33; Colossians 3:18-19; 1 Timothy 2:9-15; 5:23; Titus 1:6; James 1:19-27; 4:1-2

VI. The Commitment to Purity
God designed sexual intimacy to be enjoyed exclusively within the confines of marriage, which is a covenant union. All other sexual expressions outside of marriage are considered immoral and are sins. Therefore, as biblical counselors and disciplers, it is our responsibility to promote sexual purity in our own lives and the lives of those we counsel.

As biblical counselors and disciplers, our responsibility is to promote sexual purity in our lives and those we counsel. This means avoiding lust, pornography, adultery, fornication, homosexuality, and transgenderism. We must also be cautious to avoid any actions or behaviors that may be interpreted as sexual innuendo, harassment, or abuse.
Biblical counselors and disciplers must also be cautious to avoid any actions or behaviors that may be interpreted as sexual innuendo, harassment, or abuse. We must maintain pure intentions towards our counselees and be mindful of our words and actions to ensure they are not suggestive or inappropriate.
As biblical counselors and disciplers, our role also includes actively encouraging and teaching counselees about biblical standards of sexual purity, helping them develop a plan to live a sexually pure life, and providing counsel and support as needed.

Sexual purity is essential because it pleases God, protects us from harm, and allows us to fully experience the joy and intimacy intended for marriage, while safeguarding us from the consequences of sexual sin.

Exodus 20:17; Proverbs 5; Matthew 5:27-32; Romans 13:13-14; 1 Corinthians 6:9-20; Ephesians 5:1-8; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; Hebrews 13:4; James 1:14-15

VII. The Commitment to Competency
Biblical counselors and disciplers are called to be competent in their ministry. This means that they must have the necessary education, training, and experience to provide effective soul-care. They must also be committed to ongoing education and training in order to keep their skills sharp. Our organization requires and provides opportunities for annual Continuing Education for all those we credential through certification or commissioning.

Biblical counselors and disciplers must maintain a vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ. This is essential for providing the spiritual vitality necessary for the work of soul-care. Finally, they must seek to gain as much information as possible about the nature of the problems faced by their counselees in order to provide effective care.
Biblical counselors and disciplers must have the necessary education, training, and experience to provide effective care. This includes formal education in counseling and training and experience in working with struggling people.
Ongoing education and training are essential for biblical counselors and disciplers to remain up-to-date on the latest research and best practices in counseling. It also helps them to develop their own counseling style and to become more effective in their work.
Biblical counselors and disciplers must seek to gain as much information as possible about the nature of the problems faced by their counselees in order to provide effective care. This includes information about the counselee's history, family, relationships, and current situation.

Biblical counselors and disciplers must also seek to understand the counselee's worldview and how it impacts their problems. In addition, they ought to seek to understand the counselee's spiritual journey and how their faith impacts their problems.

Proverbs 18:13, 17; John 15:1-11; Matthew 12:33-37; Ephesians 3:14-21; 5:11; Colossians 1:9; 3:16; 1 Timothy 4:15; 2 Timothy 2:2, 15; James 1:19.

VIII. The Commitment to Methodology
To effectively care for souls and disciple others, following the transformational change process outlined in the Bible is crucial. Biblical counselors and disciplers must thoroughly understand and implement this process for successful ministry. The Bible is the ultimate source, providing the methods and strategies necessary for soul-care and discipleship to bring about transformational change.

Key elements of this process include focusing on Jesus Christ and his work, helping individuals understand and grow in their relationship with Christ, and leading them to repentance and faith. This involves changing their beliefs and worship to align with biblical principles, surrendering their desires and behaviors to Christ, renewing their minds with the Word of God, and creating new patterns of behavior that reflect the character of Jesus.
At the heart of this process is the need for heart renewal, as counselors and disciplers help individuals identify and change their sinful desires, thoughts, and emotional responses, transforming their behavior. This requires taking thoughts captive and developing new biblical thinking and action patterns.
Connecting with God through consistent prayer and personal worship is essential for soul-care and discipleship. Therefore, counselors and disciplers encourage individuals to express their dependence on God through public and private prayer and worship.

It's important to remember that sanctification, the process of growth and transformation, is lifelong and requires time, effort, and commitment. It's not a quick fix or a magic bullet, but the investment is well worth it.

Acts 26:17; Romans 8:28-30; 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18, 10:5; Ephesians 4:17-32; Colossians 3:1-17; Hebrews 4:16

IX. The Commitment to Biblical Authority and Leadership
The Commitment to Biblical Authority and Leadership emphasizes recognizing and respecting God's established authority structures in human relationships.

Biblical counselors and disciplers prioritize the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ above all other sources of authority and help their counselees to do the same.
Biblical counselors and disciplers assist counselees in submitting to God's authority even in conflict with human authorities and work towards resolving oppressive or abusive authority systems.
Biblical counselors and disciplers help their counselees, whether in positions of authority or under those positions, to understand, accept, and live obediently to the Scripture mandates that biblical leadership is servant leadership and never to be domineering or overbearing.
In the context of the home, Biblical counselors and disciplers help family members honor God's authority structure, with husbands and fathers leading, wives cooperating and serving, and children honoring and submitting to parents.
Biblical counselors and disciplers encourage counselees to defer to the authority of their local church and obey the laws of the state, as civil government is established by God for order, righteousness, and justice.
Biblical counselors and disciplers themselves defer to the authority of their local church and obey the laws of the state, as civil government is established by God for order, righteousness, and justice.

Matthew 20:25-28; Matthew 23:1-36; John 13:1-5, 12-15, 34-35; Acts 5:29; Romans 13:1-7; 1 Corinthians 10:31; 2 Corinthians 5:9; Ephesians 5:22-33; 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 2:13-25

X. Standing Against Oppression and Abuse
According to His Word, God always opposes oppression and abuse in any form or situation. Jesus Himself came to bring liberty to the oppressed. As biblical counselors and disciplers, we must align with God's stance and actively intervene and intercede on behalf of the oppressed and abused, especially in family and church settings.

As part of the Church's pastoral care and shepherding, biblical counselors and disciplers share the responsibility of rescuing the oppressed and opposing oppressors, just like other leaders in the Church.
In our redemptive relationships with counselees, we recognize the profound impact of oppression and abuse. Our role is to embody Christ's healing grace and truth for those who have been wounded, especially by those who were supposed to care for them.
Biblical counselors and disciplers must collaborate with legitimate authority structures to ensure the safety of the oppressed and abused and to stop oppression and abuse. We must comply with mandatory reporting laws and support the prosecution of oppressors and abusers when necessary.

Psalm 146:7-9; Proverbs 24:11-12; Isaiah 1:17; Isaiah 3:11-13; Isaiah 10:1-3; Isaiah 49:25-26; Isaiah 58:5-6; Jeremiah 22:3; Jeremiah 22:15-17; Ezekiel 18; Ezekiel 34; Joel 3:19; Micah 2:1-11; Malachi 2; Matthew 23: 1-36; Mark 10: 42-45; Luke 4:18; 1 Corinthians 5:11-13; 1 Timothy 5:20; Titus 3:10-22; 1 Peter 5:2-3

XI. The Commitment to Integrity
The Bible emphasizes honesty and uprightness in all relationships, including counseling and discipleship. Trust is crucial in these relationships and requires counselors and disciplers to be honest and honorable. Deceit is unacceptable.

Biblical counselors and disciplers must clearly communicate their intention to use the Bible as their authority for all soul-care and discipling matters in any context, whether public or private, formal or informal.
Biblical counselors and disciplers must maintain and communicate the biblical standards for privacy and confidentiality to build trust.
Biblical counselors and disciplers must protect the reputation and privacy of counselees and themselves while recognizing that certain information may need to be disclosed due to God-ordained authority and commitments to protect counselees from harm.
Biblical counselors and disciplers must accurately represent their qualifications and not misrepresent their training, experience, or expertise.
Biblical counselors and disciplers must be cautious when receiving gifts from counselees, ensuring they are not perceived as an attempt to manipulate or control counseling outcomes and never compromising their faithfulness to the Word of God.

Exodus 20:16; 23:1; Leviticus 19:11; Deuteronomy 16:19; Proverbs 19:5; 24:28; 25:18; Zechariah 8:16; Matthew 5:37; 2 Corinthians 4:2; Ephesians 4:25; Colossians 3:9

XII. The Commitment to Reconciliation
God desires peace with His creation and provides a way for humanity to reconcile with Him through the death of Jesus Christ. As followers of God, biblical counselors and disciplers are called to emulate this attitude of peace.

Biblical counselors and disciplers must be committed to helping counselees pursue peace with God through faith and repentance, guiding them to confess and forsake their sins and bear fruit in keeping with repentance.
Biblical counselors and disciplers must assist counselees in pursuing peace in their relationships with others. This involves promoting confession, forgiveness, and reconciliation in any possible situation, whether in marriage, family, friendships, or church fellowship. While conflicts may not always be fully resolved in a fallen world, biblical counselors and disciplers are to exhaust all wise and biblically consistent options to help achieve reconciliation.
Biblical counselors and disciplers must actively pursue peace in their relationships with all their counselees. When conflicts arise, they are to facilitate reconciliation by encouraging confession of sins and granting forgiveness. If needed, they ought also to be willing to involve another party to help facilitate the reconciliation process.

Overall, the calling of biblical counselors and disciplers is to be peacemakers, promoting peace with God and among people in all aspects of life.

Psalm 32:1-5; Proverbs 28:13; Matthew 5:9; 23-24; 6:14; 7:1-5; 18:15-35; Mark 11:25; Luke 17:3; Galatians 6:1; Ephesians 4:31-32; Colossians 3:12-13; James 3:18; 1 John 1:8-9

XIII. Violation of Standards
Truth in Love Biblical Counseling requires members to adhere to this "Code of Conduct and Best Practices" to maintain good standing. The executive board is responsible for enforcing these standards among our members and will seek to honor the judgment of local ecclesiastical authorities whenever possible in fulfilling this responsibility. However, the board has sole discretion to determine whether a member has violated these standards and the consequences of that violation. The board of directors will investigate alleged violations and follow the Matthew 18 process. The board is also responsible for publicly communicating the process for reporting violations, investigating alleged violations, and taking appropriate actions.