As many of you know, just a short time ago RTS Charlotte launched a new Masters degree program in biblical counseling. This has been a very exciting venture for us and we believe it will meet a real need in the body of Christ.
We have already seen a tremendous outpouring of support and interest in the new program, and a number of our alumni are even coming back to take advantage of the new MACC degree.
Our program has assembled some of the finest faculty in biblical counseling today, as we have drawn upon leading figures all over the country. Visiting professors have included David Powlison, Ed Welch, Rod Mays, Heath Lambert, Deepak Reju, Todd Stryd, Tim Lane, Jeff Forrey, and others.
But, even in the midst of this fine collection of professors, we had not been able to find the full-time person to lead the program.
Until now.
Today a press release will go out announcing that Dr. Jim Newheiser will be the new Director of the Christian Counseling Program at RTS Charlotte, as well as Associate Professor of Christian Counseling and Practical Theology (starting June 1st).
Jim is a board member of both the Biblical Counseling Coalition (BCC) and the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).
He is the author of a number of books and articles, including Parenting is More than a Formula (P&R, 2015); When Good Kids Make Bad Choices, with Elyse Fitzpatrick (Harvest House, 2005); You Never Stop Being a Parent, with Elyse Fitzpatrick (P&R, 2010); and a chapter contributor (with Rod Mays) in Biblical Counseling and the Church, ed. Bob Kellemen (Zondervan, 2015).
David Powlison, executive director of CCEF, commented on Dr. Newheiser’s appointment, “I was very glad to hear that Jim Newheiser has accepted the call to come to RTS Charlotte in biblical counseling. He brings wide experience, abiding fidelity to Scripture, and a humble heart.”
For the past 25 years, Jim has served as the Preaching Pastor at Grace Bible Church in Escondido, California. He is also the Director of the Institute for Biblical Counseling and Discipleship (formerly CCEF West) and an Adjunct Professor of Biblical Counseling at The Master’s College.
Jim will oversee all the counseling degree options, including the 66 credit-hour MA in Christian Counseling (MACC). A distinctive feature of this degree is that it requires, in addition to counseling courses, a significant number of courses in biblical studies, systematic theology and apologetics. This well-rounded curriculum allows students to engage the counseling task on the solid foundation of a Scriptural worldview.
The counseling program also includes an MDiv and MACC dual degree, an MATS/BS and MACC dual degree, and an MDiv with a counseling emphasis.
On a personal note, I am particularly excited about Jim because he is a personal friend whom I have known for more than 20 years. I look forward to how God will bless his new ministry here at RTS Charlotte.
To learn more about RTS Charlotte’s counseling program, see here.