In December 2023, the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary (RPTS) faced the sudden departure of the professor of biblical counseling in the middle of the academic quarter. Professor Evans unexpectedly left to take a faculty position at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, N.C. As a result, and because biblical counseling is integral to the responsibilities of pastors, the seminary board was immediately faced with the urgent question of the best and appropriate way to meet and take care of the educational needs of the students in the short and long term.

Amazingly, but not unexpectedly, the Lord showed us that He is Jehovah-Jireh, “the Lord Who Provides.” As many prayed about this situation, the Lord quickly gave the seminary board a strong plan and a capable team to move forward in such a way that RPTS could continue to offer excellent teaching and training in biblical counseling.

The theme moving forward is “Counseling in Community,” based on Proverbs 24:5–6: “A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might, for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in the abundance of counselors there is victory.”

The community came together to fill this significant void in instruction, counseling, and oversight of the Biblical Counseling Institute (BCI) at RPTS. The BCI, which is a training institute and not a counseling center, serves a specific purpose in the overall curriculum at RPTS. It exists explicitly to train pastors and others to use God’s holy and inerrant Word to deal with life’s trials and struggles. Counseling is an essential work of the church through the elders and others so gifted by the Lord to open His Word to troubled individuals.

In the process of training biblical counselors, significant time is spent with real people burdened by real problems in a “teaching hospital” environment. People from local churches come to receive help, knowing that students will be observing and participating in their care.

That care is borne out through the entire course of study at RPTS. All seminary studies come into play when ministering in biblical counsel. Old and New Testament studies, paired with systematic and pastoral theology, original languages, and even church history, point struggling Christians to the absolute excellence and perfection of God’s truths in solving life’s problems.

The counseling program at RPTS is unique in the world of seminaries. The curriculum combines classroom lectures and practicums, fleshing out the “teaching hospital” environment. Initially, in the classroom, students are exposed to a basic introduction to counseling, marriage, and family life issues. Finally, an advanced counseling course deals with more complicated issues such as cutting, eating disorders, transgenderism, oppression, and much more.

Students may also participate in three practicums designed to provide real-life experiences. Most seminaries offer classroom instruction, but few offer practicums. In Counseling Observation, students sit in the room while an experienced counselor works with people from the local area. They then have weekly meetings with others in the class to review what they are learning. There is ample opportunity to interact with the counselor about choices made during sessions and the direction of future times together.

Role Play follows their observation experiences and allows students to take on the role of counselors and provide biblical direction to experienced counselors playing the role of struggling Christians. Over three hours (spread across three weeks), the students grow in their ability to wisely use God’s Word in specific circumstances. These sessions are recorded so that the students can view their work later to gain insight into helping serve people.

Students may counsel real people if they pass Role Play (and not everyone does). The professor of counseling sits in on every meeting and provides coaching and support for the student who leads the sessions. The Christian community in Western Pennsylvania is small, so strict anonymity is maintained throughout the practicums.

The structure of the program and the responsibilities of oversight of student counseling demanded both present- and forward-thinking about the best way to honor the Lord in light of the unplanned vacancy faced by RPTS last December.

Constitutional requirements of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA) concerning full-time faculty appointments add further complexity in identifying a permanent replacement. This decision will take some time. Why?

RPTS is one of a few seminaries under the direct control of a denomination. Most Reformed seminaries have an independent board that is not accountable to a specific denomination. A danger of this structure is the potential to stray from the teaching and mission aligned with the sponsoring church.

The RPCNA requires that all full-time professors be teaching or ruling elders with appropriate terminal degrees within the denomination. Furthermore, RPTS faculty members are elected by the Synod and serve for a term of seven years (there is a three-year term for new professors). This helps to keep the teaching at the seminary within the bounds of denominational standards. This wise standard created a challenge for how best to move forward.

President Barry York, with the full cooperation of the RPTS Board of Trustees (the Synod elects each board member), quickly arrived at a suitable solution by involving experienced individuals from the RPTS community—hence, Counseling in Community.

Dr. York became the interim director of the BCI. With over 30 years of pastoral experience, he was able to offer instructional help and oversight of the overall counseling program. His classroom presence was instrumental in providing a sense of stability for students concerned about how instruction might proceed and flourish.

Mark Sampson was assigned as the interim assistant director of the BCI. He holds a master of theological studies from RPTS with a concentration in biblical counseling. He was also certified by the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC). Since 2010, he has regularly assisted in various counseling practicums and counsels regularly within the seminary community and his church (Grace [Gibsonia, Pa.] RPC, where he is a ruling elder). He assumed leadership and instruction of the Counseling Observation class in the winter quarter and led the Role Play class in the spring quarter.

Sharon Sampson, Mark’s wife, brought additional administrative and counseling experience from her many years as the office manager of the BCI under Prof. Evans and his predecessor, Dr. George Scipione. Her wealth of knowledge was crucial in keeping the program on track and in compliance with ACBC requirements for RPTS to maintain participation as a certified training center for ACBC.

Emily McGuire, a current student, continues as the BCI office manager and has been strengthened significantly in her role with further training by Sharon Sampson. In addition to overseeing the complicated scheduling process, she counsels women and participates in Counseling Observation and Role Play.

Pastor Martin Blocki, associate pastor of North Hills [Pittsburgh, Pa.] RPC, was appointed adjunct faculty in biblical counseling. Pastor Blocki is ACBC certified and has been active in the counseling program at RPTS along with his regular pastoral duties. He took over the instruction of the Marriage and Family course, already underway in December 2023. He also taught the Advanced Counseling course in the spring quarter. Heading into the 2024 academic year, Pastor Blocki will teach the three core courses in the counseling program and oversee the practicums while continuing to serve at his church.

Dr. Peter Stazen was appointed as a doctor of ministry instructor. Dr. Stazen is a retired minister from the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) and a double graduate of RPTS, earning a master of divinity and a doctor of ministry. He is also a fellow with ACBC and serves as RPTS supervising fellow for ACBC purposes. He took over an in-the-works doctoral class in January and led a course in the summer of 2024. He also provides counseling supervision for students seeking certification through ACBC.

Remaining to be answered is the question of a permanent replacement for the temporary team. The RPTS board is actively and prayerfully working to find a qualified candidate to bring before the denomination at an upcoming Synod.

In a very short amount of time, the Lord provided a team willing to serve the RPTS community. Each of these individuals was actively involved in other ministries, yet eager and excited to fill the gap. RPTS continues to trust the Lord’s provision as the seminary teaches, trains, and practices “counseling in community.”