No. This program does not certify you as a counselor. Being an ordained minister makes you a trusted member of our community, and people may approach you for advice or input. We understand that you want to help your friends and members of our community in every way that you can. However, please be very mindful about how you approach this relationship. The word “counseling” has a very specific meaning in some contexts and providing grief counseling or similar services is illegal if you do not have a degree in counseling or certification in a related field.

If you are approached by someone in emotional distress, please help them get to a place where they feel safe and then either call 911 or your local equivalent (in the case of an emergency) or help them contact a professional who can decide the best way to proceed.