We believe that caring for one another, and counseling each other through life’s inevitable rough spots, best happens in the context of close friends who love you and walk with you day by day. As the old African proverb asserts, “it takes a village to raise a child.” We find that is one of the joys and responsibilities of “communities on mission” to care for one another, to counsel one another, to walk together through the darkest times of each other’s life. “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” (Rom 12:15). So counseling, like other elements of discipleship, starts in our Villages.

It is in Villages that authentic relationships happen; the smaller group of people in your Village is the “family” who you see regularly, with whom you discuss life and God; they’re the folks we encourage you to be fully open with, and generally, they live near you and can surround you during hard times. So it makes sense that your Village will be the first step in care and counseling in The City Church. As you get to know your Village and as they get to know you, they will pray for you, speak scripture to you, encourage you (even rebuke you if needed!), remind you of the gospel, and surround you with love as God brings you through this dark time.

So if you’re in need of care and counsel, our first encouragement is to share your struggles with the folks in your 
City Church family: receive the gift of your Village.

Further Steps

While your Village should always be the starting point for care and counseling, we recognize that there are some 
situations that require additional care, in addition to the day-by-day involvement of your Village. We realize there are some unique circumstances that necessitate more intentional, individual emotional, spiritual, and pastoral involvement. For these situations, we recommend that you consider the following options:

First, The City Church’s leadership available to anyone involved in The City Church or in the greater Fort 
Worth area, and would be glad to meet with you. Please contact us to set up a time to meet, and we specifically ask that you contact a Pastor-Elder if you’re looking for…

• Pre-marriage counseling
• Divorce care/recovery
• Post-abortion healing/restoration
• Grief counseling

Finally, we are honored to partner with outstanding ministries who offer “professional” biblical counseling for those 
seeking healing, freedom, and wisdom. [*NOTE: if you contact one of these agencies, please let a City Church pastor-elder know: if you don’t, the counselor you meet will]:

• Metroplex Counseling: a professional counseling ministry dedicated to the sufficiency of Scripture for the work of counseling. They’re located in Bedford (but we’re working on getting them into downtown Fort Worth). [www.metroplexcounseling.com / 817.571.4110]

• The Association of Biblical Counseling: ABC is passionate and determined in “encouraging, equipping, and empowering everywhere to live and counsel in the Word.” [www.christiancounseling.com]

> Contact us with questions or clarification regarding our stance on care/counseling.