GRN / Network participation
Counseling affirmations
and denials.
These convictions guide the gospel-centered care we seek to connect through GRN. As you apply, read each affirmation and denial, record your response, and explain any questions or exceptions. Our review team considers your responses alongside your ministry approach and supporting materials.
Application edition · October 23, 2026. Read alongside the beliefs and membership criteria.
1 The gospel and the purpose of recovery
We affirm that reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ is the central hope of gospel recovery. Salvation is by grace through faith. The Holy Spirit brings change that increasingly expresses love for God and neighbor.
We deny that sobriety, symptom relief, behavioral conformity, or program completion can earn acceptance with God or fully describe the goal of recovery. We also reject promises of guaranteed healing or a particular clinical outcome.
In practice we value safety, relief from suffering, sobriety, and restored functioning as worthwhile aims of care while keeping Christ and discipleship central.
Scripture: Ephesians 2:8–10; Titus 3:3–7.
2 Scripture and knowledge from other disciplines
We affirm the authority and sufficiency of Scripture for understanding people, sin, suffering, redemption, and faithful living. Scripture is the final authority governing our evaluation of observations, interpretations, and practices from medicine, psychology, science, and recovery culture.
We deny that another system may displace biblical authority or supply a competing account of humanity and redemption. We also deny that faithfulness requires rejecting every observation made outside Scripture.
In practice we explain what we use, how we interpret it, and why it is consistent with our convictions. A method’s name or origin alone does not settle its acceptability. Appropriate medical care can accompany gospel ministry.
Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16–17; Colossians 2:6–10.
3 Human dignity and the whole person
We affirm that people are created in God’s image as embodied persons. Bodily conditions, relationships, social circumstances, and spiritual life can interact in a person’s experience and should receive careful attention.
We deny that a person can be adequately understood as only a body, only a set of psychological processes, or a soul unaffected by bodily life. Recognizing bodily influences does not remove human dignity or erase moral responsibility.
In practice we work within our qualifications and arrange appropriate evaluation or referral when needs exceed our role. Unqualified caregivers do not make clinical diagnoses, prescribe, or direct medication changes.
Scripture: Genesis 1:26–27; 1 Corinthians 6:19–20.
4 Sin suffering and responsibility
We affirm that wise care distinguishes sins a person commits from harms and suffering a person experiences. We offer comfort, protection, patient understanding, and appropriate calls to repentance according to the person’s circumstances.
We deny that every experience of emotional distress or physiological impairment is evidence of a particular personal sin or inadequate faith. We reject blaming people for abuse committed against them or using forgiveness to require unsafe contact.
In practice we listen before drawing conclusions, acknowledge what we do not know, respond to danger, and seek help beyond our capacity. Internal ministry processes must not delay necessary protection or reporting.
Scripture: John 9:1–3; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; Galatians 6:1–2.
5 Change discipleship and connected care
We affirm that growth flows from life in Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit. Scripture, prayer, relationships, habits, and faithful action have a place in ongoing discipleship and practical care.
We deny that a technique, credential, medication, or program can accomplish reconciliation with God or substitute for the life of the church. We also deny that seeking appropriate medical or professional help is inherently a failure of faith.
In practice we describe how our particular service connects with church community and other needed support. A provider may contribute one part of a developing local network without operating every part of the DFW model.
Scripture: Philippians 2:12–13; Galatians 5:16–25; Ephesians 4:11–16.