The Guidance Providers here at The Chapel Cleveland: Biblical Guidance (hereinafter “TCCBG”) are asking for the following information for the purpose of understanding you and your circumstances better.  Our goal is to provide you with the best guidance we can.

Guidance Providers do not use the term “counselor” because we are NOT state licensed or certified counselors. We want to emphasize this at the start.  We refer to ourselves as Guidance Providers (hereinafter "GPs").  Guidance Providers 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 and live in the light of biblical truth.

Guidance and Facilities Cost:

The Guidance Providers (hereinafter “GPs") and Assistant Guidance Providers (hereinafter “AGPs”) volunteer their time to the client. The Chapel Cleveland also provides a place for you to meet with the GPs and AGP's free of charge. 

Our Beliefs About the Bible:

We believe that the Bible provides guidance and instruction applicable to all matters of faith and life, therefore, our guidance is based on scriptural principles rather than those of psychology or psychiatry. Neither the pastoral / lay GP's, nor the AGP'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 providers 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 GPs and AGPs 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 GPs and AGPs may be lawyers, doctors or other professionals, but the GPs and AGPs 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 and conformity with the teachings of Scripture. TCCBG supports a parent’s right to do so.

Training Center: 

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

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 HERE) 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.