Biblical Counselor

Oliver Gospel Mission Inc•Columbia, SC

22d•$0 - $45,000

About The Position

The Biblical Counselor provides structured, Scripture-based counseling and spiritual-growth support to guests within Oliver Gospel Mission’s Spiritual Formation discipline. The position works primarily with longer-term guests and supports other programs as assigned, helping guests examine beliefs, choices, relationships, habits, suffering, identity, hope, responsibility, forgiveness, reconciliation, and spiritual growth through a biblically grounded framework. The Biblical Counselor is part of the interdisciplinary Care Team and coordinates spiritual support with Case Management, Pastors, Residential Support, Intake & Program Access, and qualified external Mental & Behavioral Health providers. Biblical counseling is a spiritual-formation service and is not represented as licensed mental-health or substance-use treatment. The counselor must recognize needs beyond the role’s scope and make timely referrals through established pathways. The employee must be a born-again believer in Jesus Christ, affirm Oliver Gospel Mission’s Statement of Faith without reservation, support its mission and vision, work harmoniously with colleagues, and be punctual and ready to work at the assigned location on scheduled workdays. Tobacco and vaping products are not permitted during scheduled work hours or at Oliver Gospel Mission events. A valid South Carolina driver’s license is required. This is a full-time, exempt position on the Programs team, reporting to the Manager of Spiritual Formation, with no direct reports. The effective date is September 2026.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in biblical counseling, biblical studies, theology, ministry, psychology, social services, or a closely related field from an appropriately accredited institution.
Formal biblical-counseling education, certification, or structured training from a recognized Christian counseling or ministry organization or academic program consistent with Oliver Gospel’s Statement of Faith and approved counseling model.
At least two years of relevant biblical counseling, pastoral counseling, discipleship, ministry, recovery ministry, or closely related helping experience.
Demonstrated experience serving people affected by homelessness, substance use or addiction, trauma, incarceration, poverty, family instability, or similarly complex circumstances.
Understanding of the distinction between biblical or pastoral counseling and licensed behavioral-health treatment, and ability to recognize when referral is required.
Ability to maintain appropriate boundaries, confidentiality, documentation, and interdisciplinary communication.
Ability to facilitate one-to-one conversations and small groups with biblical fidelity, compassion, sound judgment, and cultural humility.
Ability to work effectively under supervision and as part of an interdisciplinary Care Team.
Born-again believer in Jesus Christ who affirms Oliver Gospel Mission’s Statement of Faith without reservation and supports its mission and vision.
Ability and desire to work in harmony with other Oliver Gospel Mission employees; punctuality and readiness to work at the assigned location on scheduled workdays.
Valid South Carolina driver’s license.
Ability to work effectively in a changing environment; concentrate, exercise sound judgment, manage complex information, and respond to disruptions, critical issues, and emotionally distressed individuals.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, frequent meetings, interruptions, and changing demands while maintaining a positive, professional, mission-focused attitude.
Ability to remain stationary and perform computer-based and administrative work for extended periods; operate a computer and other office equipment.
Ability to move throughout Oliver Gospel facilities, travel between locations, and participate in community and professional meetings as needed.
Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and electronically; maintain confidentiality and composure in sensitive situations; adapt to changing technology, systems, procedures, and organizational priorities.
Ability to participate in meetings and work occasional evening or weekend hours as organizational needs require.
Tobacco and vaping products may not be used during scheduled work hours or at Oliver Gospel Mission events.

Nice To Haves

Graduate-level education in biblical counseling, theology, ministry, pastoral counseling, or a related field.
Recognized biblical-counseling certification appropriate to Oliver Gospel Mission’s theological framework.
Formal training in trauma-informed or trauma-responsive ministry, addiction or recovery, crisis response, or suicide-prevention awareness.
Experience in rescue missions, homelessness services, residential recovery, or faith-based community programs.

Responsibilities

Provide scheduled one-to-one biblical counseling and structured small-group counseling or formation as assigned.
Help guests identify voluntary spiritual goals and explore life circumstances using Scripture, prayer, biblical wisdom, reflection, responsibility, and practical application.
Use Oliver Gospel’s established biblical-counseling framework rather than creating competing models.
Develop individualized counseling goals and interventions suited to guests’ stated spiritual interests and coordinated with their broader person-centered plans.
Support guests in applying biblical principles to identity, relationships, forgiveness, reconciliation, decision-making, habits, suffering, hope, responsibility, and spiritual disciplines.
Monitor progress through guest self-report and observable engagement or application without judging the authenticity of a guest’s faith.
Treat guests with dignity, patience, compassion, respect, and appropriate choice; use trauma-responsive approaches and adjust counseling to guests’ readiness, comprehension, preferences, and circumstances.
Recognize when a guest’s presentation, history, risk, or needs exceed the counselor’s training or authority and seek consultation or referral.
Participate in Care Team meetings and contribute relevant spiritual-formation observations, strengths, concerns, guest-stated goals, progress, and recommendations.
Coordinate counseling goals with guests’ broader person-centered plans without taking ownership of Case Management or clinical treatment.
Receive authorized referrals, refer or elevate needs outside the role’s scope, complete assigned follow-up, and communicate material changes or concerns through established channels.
Clearly represent biblical counseling as spiritual formation, not licensed mental-health counseling, psychotherapy, substance-use counseling, diagnosis, or clinical treatment.
Avoid diagnosing disorders, conducting clinical assessments, providing psychotherapy, creating clinical treatment plans, or practicing outside qualifications and authorized role.
Support guests receiving external clinical care without undermining, replacing, or independently modifying treatment; coordinate with external providers only when authorized and consistent with consent, confidentiality, policy, and role boundaries.
Maintain appropriate relational, ethical, spiritual, and professional boundaries with vulnerable persons served.
Facilitate approved small groups, classes, workshops, and spiritual-formation sessions within assigned areas of expertise.
Use approved curricula and materials, provide feedback on their effectiveness, and support development or refinement of Scripture-based resources.
Teach in a manner appropriate to audience literacy, recovery stage, trauma history, cultural context, and program setting; participate in approved church or community training when assigned and within expertise.
Maintain timely, objective, appropriate, and confidential documentation of counseling contacts, guest-stated spiritual goals, interventions, progress, referrals, significant concerns, and Care Team coordination.
Document only information necessary for continuity, accountability, coordination, and organizational requirements; explain confidentiality and information-sharing limits and share information only through approved processes.
Promptly document and escalate safety or risk concerns according to organizational procedures.
Participate in supervision, biblical-counseling and case consultation, competency assessment, training, and performance development.
Maintain and develop competencies and continuing education in assigned areas; receive coaching and promptly address identified gaps.
Contribute observations, guest feedback, outcomes, referral trends, and recommendations to improve Spiritual Formation and interdisciplinary care.
Perform other duties consistent with the purpose and level of the position, as assigned by the supervisor.