1.  All of the staff of Grace Counseling Ministries are born-again believers, meaning they have had a salvation experience with Jesus Christ, in which they have asked Him to come into their heart (Rev.:3:20) and are actively seeking to make him Lord of every area of their lives (the process of sanctification, Eph. 1:3-14).

2.  GCM exists primarily for the benefit of the clients God has brought before us to serve.  As such we are committed to their salvation, sanctification, and increased spiritual and emotional health.

3.  All of the counselors are active participants in a local church body.

4.  All of the counselors have a working knowledge of the Bible and therefore know how to apply it to the lives of the client.  The counselors are working at knowing the Word of God better so as to become more astute in applying it to their own lives and the lives of others.

5.  All of the counselors have at least a Master's degree in a Mental Health related major from an accredited institution of higher learning (unless they are an intern from an accredited school).  Likewise, they are disciplines of Psychology, Sociology, Pastoral Counseling, Psychopharmacology, Marriage and Family Therapy, or any other area of study that increases their competency and knowledge of the field.

6.  All of the counselors must have a call to ministry or at least a significant understanding and openness to what being in ministry entails.  Ministry here is defined as the God given desire to serve other people and to go the extra mile with them (Matt. 5:41) if needed, and only if it means the betterment of the other person, through service that is inspired by the Holy Spirit.  Because of this distinctive, the counselors understand that working with GCM is more than just a job.  It is a calling to help others through the means of counseling. 

7.  It is only through prayer and a reliance upon the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance that we expect any of the above to be accomplished.  If God is glorified by the work at Grace and by the individuals involved in it, then our ministry will be realized.