We here at The Chapel Cleveland: Biblical Guidance (hereinafter “TCCBG”) are asking for the following information for the purpose of getting to know you and your circumstances better so that we can give you the best guidance we can. This information also helps us identify a Guidance Provider (hereinafter “GP”) that has a background in life similar to yours. 

We do not use the term “counselor” because we are NOT state licensed or certified counselors and we want to emphasize this at the start. We also are NOT medical professionals and as such, will not provide medical advice. 

Our Goal:

The goal of Biblical Guidance is to help people work through the difficulties of life in a way that will be pleasing and honoring to the Lord Jesus Christ. We are here to help others learn biblical truth so that they may live in accordance with biblical truth. 

Guidance and facilities cost:

The Guidance Providers (hereinafter “G.P.”) and Assistant Guidance Providers (hereinafter “A.G.P.”) volunteer their time to the client. The Chapel Cleveland also provides a place for you to meet with the G.P.s and A.G.P.s free of charge. 

Our beliefs about the Bible:

We believe that the Bible provides sufficient guidance and instruction for faith and life. Therefore, our guidance is based on scriptural principles rather than those of psychology or psychiatry. Neither the pastoral / lay G.P.s, nor the A.G.P.s of this ministry are licensed as psychotherapists or mental health professionals. The guidance you receive will be based upon your provider’s understanding of the Holy Scripture. All of our G.P.s are under the authority of the Elders of The Chapel Cleveland.  

Outside Professional Advice: 

In the process of biblical guidance there are often times when there is a need for significant advice with regards to legal, medical, financial or other technical areas we do not provide. In  those cases, you will be encouraged to seek independent professional counsel.  

Our pastoral / lay G.P.s and A.G.P.s will be happy to cooperate with such advisors and help you  consider their counsel in the light of relevant scriptural principles. Some of our lay G.P.s and A.G.P.s may be lawyers, doctors or other professionals, but the G.P.s and A.G.P.s will not provide advice in those areas during the guidance process.  

Guiding Minors:  

We believe the primary responsibility for shepherding and discipling minors rests with their  parents. Accordingly, the minors will be advised ahead of time that information they give will likely be shared with either or both of the custodial parents. 

TCCBG also recognizes that in the course of the loving discipline of their children, Christian parents may employ corporal punishment, in accordance with the teachings of Scripture, and in conformity with those Scriptures, TCCBG supports a parent’s right to do so.  

Training Center: 

TCCBG is also a training center for future G.P.s. Accordingly, to facilitate both guidance and training, the G.P. will have one or two people assisting or observing him/her in each guidance session. The G.P. must obtain permission from the client for these additional people to be present in the session.

Fees and Resources:

Guidance Providers will often require the client to purchase resources during the guidance  process. These resources will mostly consist of books, pamphlets, DVDs or the like. Ordering of and payment for the materials is solely the responsibility of the client.

Necessary Materials:

Please bring with you (one for each person being counseled) a Bible (a literal translation such as NASB, ESV, NIV etc. rather than a paraphrase such as The Living Bible). Also bring materials necessary for note taking. These materials may be digital or paper-based according to client preferences.

Church Attendance Expectation:

As long as you are receiving guidance at TCCBG, you agree to attend at least once a week, a church service or Bible study at a Bible teaching church. We strongly recommend that you take notes during the service you attend so that you will be able to recall points of importance in that message. G.P.s and A.G.P.s will inquire about services attended and some of the highlights that you gleaned from the service.

Resolution of Conflicts:

On rare occasions a conflict may develop between a G.P. and a client. In order to make sure that any such conflicts will be resolved in a biblically faithful manner, we require all of our clients to agree that any dispute that arises with a provider or with the church as a result of guidance, will be settled by mediation and, if necessary, legally binding arbitration in accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the Institute for Christian Conciliation (complete text of the Rules is available at www.aorhope.org/icc-rules-2021) Judgment upon arbitration award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. The parties understand that these methods shall be the sole remedy for any controversy or claim arising out of this agreement and expressly waive their right to file a lawsuit in any civil court against one another for such disputes, except to enforce an arbitration decision.

Limited Confidentiality Statement:

The State of Tennessee recognizes communications between priest/penitent, doctor/patient, psychotherapist/patient or attorney/client are privileged. However, communication between Guidance Providers / Assistant Guidance Providers and a client are NOT privileged unless one of the pastors from The Chapel Cleveland is doing the guidance. 

The Biblical Guidance Coordinator, the G.P.s and A.G.P.s of TCCBG understand that confidentiality is an important and vital characteristic of the guidance relationship. To that end, TCCBG and its representatives agree to carefully guard the information entrusted to them by clients.  

Should a G.P. or A.G.P. fail to protect information it may become necessary for them to be dismissed from service in the TCCBG program. The decision to dismiss a G.P. or A.G.P. will be determined by the Pastors of The Chapel Cleveland. 

Exceptions:

There are certain circumstances where it is necessary to reveal information obtained in the  guidance process in order to uphold the principles of Scripture, the standards of The Chapel Cleveland, and/or the laws of the State of Tennessee.  

1. Where a client is encouraged to renounce a particular sin but refuses to do so, it may  become necessary to seek the assistance of others in the church to encourage repentance and reconciliation in accordance with Scripture (Proverbs 15:22, 24:11; Matthew 18:15-20).  

2. Advice from another G.P. / A.G.P. or Pastor. G.P.s who are uncertain as to how a particular issue  should be addressed may reveal necessary information to and seek assistance from another G.P. / A.G.P. or one of the pastors at The Chapel Cleveland. The G.P. will disclose to the client that he/she is asking for such assistance. 

3. Threats to harm himself/herself or another. Where a client threatens to harm himself/herself  or another person, it will be necessary to notify the proper legal authorities, family members, pastor, intended victim or all of the above.  

If the client makes such threats in the context of a guidance session, the G.P. / A.G.P. will  immediately consult with another TCCBG provider and/or the Director who will work with them to assess the situation and assist in making the appropriate notifications, if necessary.  

4. Criminal offenses. If a G.P. / A.G.P. is made aware of evidence that a crime has been or is about to be committed, then the G.P. / A.G.P. shall reveal such information to legal authorities.