What About Bob? And What’s “RPM” Stand For?
No, I’m not talking about the Bill Murray movie, What About Bob?
We’ve recently given the RPM website a “fresh coat of paint”—new look, more user-friendly store, same daily blogs, same free resources—added weekly.
Between the fresh look, the many new subscribers of late, and the many times I’m ask, “What does RPM stand for in RPM Ministries?” I thought it might be time to highlight the info you can find on our What About Bob page.
Before I talk about me and about RPM Ministries, let’s talk about YOU!
What About YOU?
I know that you want to change lives. I understand that you care deeply for people, but that you can find it frustrating to obtain equipping that helps you truly to care like Christ.
If I’ve accurately described you, and if what you see below matches what you’re looking for, then consider subscribing to my daily blog via email. You can do so on the top right hand side of the RPM Ministries home page.
About Me
I’m passionate about equipping you to change lives with Christ’s changeless truth through Christ-centered, church-based, comprehensive, compassionate, and culturally-informed biblical counseling and spiritual formation.
That’s why this site offers daily blog posts, hundreds of free resources, book reviews, links to other ministries, Christian Best of Guides, and much more–all designed to equip you to relate God’s truth to your daily life and ministry.
That’s why I authored Soul Physicians, Spiritual Friends, Beyond the Suffering, Sacred Friendships, God’s Healing for Life’s Losses, Equipping Counselors for Your Church, and Anxiety: Anatomy and Cure.
That’s why I offer “4E” Consulting to empower churches and para-churches to equip their people for one another ministry.
That’s why I offer seminars, in-services, and conferences around the country on How to Care Like Christ, Heroes of the Black Church, Women Heroes of the Faith, Cultivating Christlike Intercultural Relational Competencies, and God’s Healing for Life’s Losses.
About RPM Ministries
Most Christians care deeply but struggle to speak the truth in love. RPM Ministries exists to equip pastors, lay people, educators, students, and biblical counselors to change lives with Christ’s changeless truth through Christ-centered, church-based, comprehensive, compassionate, and culturally-informed biblical counseling and spiritual formation.
Founded and directed by yours truly, my associates and I speak, write, and consult to empower the church and para-church to care like Christ. As a result, God’s people enter deeply into one another’s lives and make a significant difference in the lives of hurting and hardened people.
RPM is our acrostic for Resurrection Power Multipliers.
We based this concept on Paul’s prayer in Philippians 3:10: “I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering.” As believers in Christ, we have within us the same power that raised Christ from the dead (Ephesians 1:15-23). God calls us to commune with Christ, connect to one another in the Body of Christ, and thus to tap into, avail ourselves of, and apply Christ’s resurrection power in our lives and ministries to glorify God.
More About Bob (That’s Me)
I’ve served for seventeen years as Chairman of the Master of Arts in Christian Counseling and Discipleship (MACCD) Department at Capital Bible Seminary. Through the MACCD, by God’s grace I’ve equipped 1,000s of pastors, church leaders, and professional counselors for biblical ministry.
In my three pastoral ministries (one as Sr. Pastor and two as Associate Pastor), I’ve equipped 100s of lay people as biblical counselors and spiritual friends. In each church, I’ve launched and led the “LEAD Ministry”: Life Encouragers And Disciplers.”
In my role as Founder and CEO of RPM Ministries, I focus on a Christ-centered, church-based, comprehensive, compassionate, and culturally-informed approach to equipping local churches for biblical counseling and spiritual formation. Through RPM Ministries, I’ve consulted with scores of churches and para-church groups, walking them through his “4E” model for launching and leading equipping ministries.
I also have the joy of serving as the Executive Director for the Biblical Counseling Coalition. Increasingly my time, energy, and passion is being put into the BCC where our vision is to promote collaborative relationships and provide robust, relevant resources for all those committed to biblical counseling. Our passion is to promote personal change centered on the Person of Christ through the personal ministry of the Word.
I received my BA in Pastoral Ministry from Baptist Bible College (Clarks Summit, PA), my Th.M. in Theology and Biblical Counseling from Grace Theological Seminary (Winona Lake, IN), and my Ph.D. in Counselor Education from Kent State University (Kent, OH). I’m a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the state of Maryland.
I’ve authored over 100 published articles. I’m also the author of seven books: Soul Physicians: A Theology of Soul Care and Spiritual Direction (BMH Books), Spiritual Friends: A Methodology of Soul Care and Spiritual Direction (BMH Books), Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction (Baker Books), Sacred Friendships: Celebrating the Legacy of Women Heroes of the Faith (BMH Books), God’s Healing for Life’s Losses: How to Find Hope When You’re Hurting (BMH Books), Equipping Counselors for Your Church (P & R Books), and Anxiety: Anatomy and Cure (P & R Books). In 2013, P & R will publish my book Beauty for Ashes (on healing from sexual abuse). Also in 2013, Harvest House will publish a book for which I served as Managing Editor and wrote three chapters, plus the Introduction and Conclusion. It is Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling and is Biblical Counseling Coalition book authored by 40 leading biblical counselors.
Shirley, my wife of thirty-one years, and I live in Crown Point, IN. We’re the parents of two adult children. Josh is 28, married to Andi, and is a lawyer. They are the proud parents (and we are the proud grandparents) of Naomi. Marie is 24, and works for the YWCA speaking to students from age 6 through college about bullying and abuse prevention. Shirley is a kindergarten teacher and wonderful at it! She is also the most gracious, patient, kind, and Christ-like person I have ever known.
In all my free time, I run daily, enjoy reading, love sports, and Shirley and I enjoy hosting parties large and small for family, friends, and our church–Cornerstone Community Church, where I serve as an elder.
RPM Ministries: Equipping You to Change Lives with Christ’s Changeless Truth
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