Truly Christ-As-Life
 

Our primary objective is to equip individuals for the purpose of building up the Body of Christ and assist in empowering men, women, children, and families to have a greater impact on the communities they serve. This is accomplished by providing Christ-centered, Bible-based guidance—Identity Matters Discipleship®.

We press forward to show individuals their freedom from enslaving mental, emotional, and spiritual conflicts by placing a special emphasis on IDENTITY MATTERS. The counseling style is direct, honest, and truly biblical.

Each ministry session is designed to provide the client with an experience that centers upon the integration process of strong biblical Truth, faith, and what IOM coins as Transformational Biblical Worldview & Exchanged Life Development. The indwelt Christian will become more established and pronounced in their Christian faith and become acutely aware of their self-life behavior and how it wars against the Word of God. We discover these fleshly modalities through personal interviews, testing, and homework assignments. 

This counseling/discipleship is offered to all - Christians and non-Christians alike. It is particularly helpful for those interested in learning how to effectively use the Word of God in a discipleship/ministry setting, in gaining personal help, as well as furthering oneself in the equipping process of being a minister of the Gospel. This is a perfect intern environment for undergraduate and graduate students.

When a client applies for counseling (person-to-person, phone, or internet), each is agreeing to what our ministry calls THE RIGHT TO MINISTER.

IOM RIGHT TO MINISTER

Our discipleship exists to glorify God in and through the lives of its helpers and those who come for help. Our mission is to provide a unique, dynamic, bible-based discipleship service that God can use to transform lives. Though the approach is not new, the unique methods used have been proven repeatedly to be effective. Our team presses on toward showing people how to be set free from enslaving mental and emotional conflicts through scriptural teachings and consultations.
 

People come to us primarily through word-of-mouth. God working through this ministry accomplishes the significant changes in the lives of those who come for help. Our biblical disciplers/counselors are trained in the application of scriptural Truth regarding the Exchanged Life – “Not I, but Christ.”  Our workers do not necessarily hold degrees in psychology or are licensed by the state – which usually prohibits the application of Jesus Christ being the only way, truth, and life.  We do not take the position that all problems are “spiritual,” but do believe that most “presenting problems” have a basic spiritual factor.

 

You have come for Biblical Exchanged Life counseling/discipleship and we do not consider that we have the “right” to minister to you unless you give us that right. Please read the following statements before contacting us for discipleship:

1. AREAS OF LIFE

We see biblical counseling/discipleship affecting seven areas of life: SPIRITUAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, PHYSICAL, SOCIAL, FINANCIAL, MARITAL, and PARENTAL. Personal problems often overlap several of these areas. Therefore, we ask your permission to go into any or all of these areas to the degree necessary to come to a solution to the problem.

2. DIRECTIVE COUNSELING
 
While careful listening and empathy are a definite part of the ministry process, our biblical counsel is direct in nature. The style and approach to assisting needy people are straightforward and direct. Our goal is not to offend, but to use the strength of the Word to address the “issues” at large. This means that definite direction and assignments are given, which are based on the teachings and principles of the Scriptures.

3. CREDENTIALS 

The word “counseling” is often associated with the ideas of “licensed” counselors. We do not take the stand that “ministers of the Gospel” must be certified with a state agency to be qualified to administer counsel to the hurting. It should be understood that our ministry may or may not use “state-certified” counselors/ministers to assist you.

4. NO DECISIONS

No decisions will be made for you. You are the one(s) who will decide what you will do with the teaching given to you. However, if there is persistence in ignoring the instruction given or a refusal to complete assignments, the question may be raised as to the advisability to continuing the biblical counseling process.

5. FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

We do not charge for servicing you with the Gospel. IOM America is a 501c3 non-profit. We would be honored to receive gifts and donations to assist us in accomplishing our mission. Make use of any donation button on our website.

6. TIME FACTOR

Each session lasts from 60 to 90 minutes. We do not have a definite minimum or a maximum number of sessions required, but we will not keep you coming beyond a reasonable time. If outside help is needed in areas where other services have special expertise, referrals will be made.

7. APPARENT REGRESSION

It frequently happens (though not always) that as a person begins to follow biblical Christ-As-Life principles, the life experience may actually get worse. This is no reason to quit or think that you are not making progress. On the contrary, it may be an indication that you ARE making progress. When a person’s life situation is unmanageable, there is usually the need for unlearning and undoing certain things, so that progress can be made in a new direction. We mention this so that you will not be surprised and/or disheartened.

8. CONFIDENTIALITY

We are committed to a rule of confidentiality regarding what is discussed. However, certain qualifications apply. Where further insight or guidance is needed, your discipler/counselor may consult with other IOM America team members. Secondly, where a crime has been or is being committed, particularly against a minor, it is required by law to report such activity. Further, knowledge of a threatened act of violence against someone also may be reported. Finally, when a counselor is ministering to multiple family members, there typically is an “overlapping” of counseling data that is exchanged.
 

When conducting “family/group counseling,” it is difficult to manage the personal data exchange. Your discipler is committed to encouraging all group participants to keep the spoken data within the confines of the group. It needs to be understood that your discipler cannot be responsible for “gossip” within family or group members.

9. MUTUAL TERMINATION

We ask that you seriously consider the teaching given.  If you decide not to continue your counseling, we ask that you follow the guidelines contained within the Scriptures and share your concerns with your counselor. First, share your concerns one-on-one before terminating or bring a third party into the process. These guidelines are set in place in order to resolve conflicts according to biblical guidelines. It is your discipler’s desire for you to receive help even if you choose not to use our services.

Before starting the discipleship process with IOM America, you will need to first review the 3 min. video, which gives you an overview of our mission and our focus on the believer's identity in Christ. Once this is done, if you have not emailed the Founder, please do so stating your interest: drphinney@iomamerica.org. He will most likely lead you to submit the form below in order to start the process.

 

If you have been asked by your discipler to read, and agree to, the Right To Minister - study the above content then come back and Click Here>>> I Agree To The Right To Minister.  

 

PDF Copy Of The Right to Minister | Here

If you have questions, text: 602-292-2982

To review a sample of homework: Click Here

Do NOT fill out this Self-Life Evaluation until you are approved.

Self-Life Evaluation: Click Here

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Dr. Phinney's bio can be reviewed HERE.