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, and Equipping Counselors for Your Church.
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 Christian counselors to change lives with Christ’s changeless truth through Christ-centered, comprehensive, compassionate, and culturally-informed biblical counseling and spiritual direction.
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 communion with Christ, connect to one another in the Body of Christ, and thus tap into Christ’s resurrection power to glorify God.
More About Bob (That’s Me)
I served for over a dozen years as Chairman of the Master of Arts in Christian Counseling and Discipleship (MACCD) Department at Capital Bible Seminary. I’m now Professor of Counseling and Discipleship in that Department. Through the MACCD, by God’s grace I’ve equipped 1,000s of pastors, church leadres, 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 of the Association of Biblical Counselors’ Center for Church Equipping. I also serve as the Executive Director for the Biblical Counseling Coalition.
In all my spare time, I review books for Discerning Reader. I’m also the Biblical Counseling and Pastoral Ministry reviewer for The Gospel Coalition.
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 75 published articles. I’m also the author of five 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), and Equipping Counselors for Your Church (P & R Books).
Shirley, my wife of thirty-one years, and I live in Crown Point, IN. We’re the parents of two adult children. Josh is 27, married to Andi, and is a lawyer. Marie is 23, and is a Ph.D. student at Purdue University, majoring in Medicinal Chemistry.
In all my free time, I run daily, play in a men’s softball league, and coach high school wrestling.
Tuesday, December 15th 2009 at 12:24 pm |
My wife and I have served as missionaries for 15 years in SE Asia, spent the last 4 years in Myrtle Beach, SC working along side Shiloh Place Ministries ~ founded by the late, Jack Frost. We have now relocated back home to KCMO, and are currently ministering to individuals and families ~ repentance, forgiveness, honoring, and agape’. I really like what I have read on your page, and am interested in further equipping and even working towards a degree in Christian Counseling. I am just a few credits away from a BA, and busy ness has hindered me in completing that. Would love to talk to some one from your ministry about that. 816-898-5884 (cell) Every Blessing as you celebrate Jesus’ birth! Bob Parr
Friday, July 23rd 2010 at 5:24 pm |
Bob
I believe you asked to be a friend on Facebook. I appreciate your comments and today looked at your web site. I am fascinated by your name Resurrection Power Reproducers. and as well your emphasis on Biblical relationships in churches. While I was director of Lake Ann Camp I recognized the most important skill we could help campers with was what I called Biblical Social Skills. I knew that if they did not know how to relate to one another they would not be successful in serving others.
The ideas I have about Ethnic to ethnic Ministries will require some of the greatest tests of Unity in Christ if a church is going to be Multi-ethnic. I believe the Resurrection Power has been minimized or overlooked. Unity in diversity is not humanly possible so churches will have to rise to new levels of commitment to the Scriptures. I say most churches don’t have Big enough challenge to to experience the Power of Big God.
I would like some response from you. Have you helped churches in attempts to be Multi-ethnic and multi-cultural? What recommendations do you offer. If you have not considered the move among evangelicals on this, check some of the web sites I list under resources.
I hope we can interact more. Eldon
Saturday, August 21st 2010 at 10:46 am |
Proper thanks are due for this awesome article. I’ve read id for a couple months now and they’re always very informative. Thanks!