One of the historical functions of church life and the role of pastoral ministry is to provide healing for the wounded soul. Although most churches and pastors agree with the need to assist the discouraged and dysfunctional in the congregation, few churches and pastors are adequately equipped for the task. How to Start a Counseling Ministry: The Healing Community for the Local Church waswritten for the equipped counselor or pastor. That is, one who has been trained in the healing ministry of counseling, and wants to provide quality, professional care to the members of the congregation and the community at large. Written from a local church perspective but also with professional counselors in mind, Dr. DeKoven present the nuts and bolts of establishing a Healing Community for the local church, a counseling center designed for both in reach (care for the congregation) and outreach (as an impactful evangelistic tool to the community). In this highly practical work, Dr. DeKoven provides to the reader a systematic approach to developing, organizing, marketing and managing a successful Christian Counseling Ministry. Based upon the authors over 35 years of clinical and pastoral experience, this book includes: Thinking it through: Are you sure you want to do this? Strategic Planning Clinical and Administrative procedures to keep you out of trouble, plus Dozens of tips for the development of dynamic counseling services to impact your unique community