Dear Drs. Arno, Rev.
Baran:
I am deeply grieved by
Mark Winchell's recent email to advocate “we take authority over (Satan) and
declare our victory over him by the Blood of Jesus."
If this indeed
represents your theology, it is with regret, because of my deep appreciation
for you, that I must discontinue my membership in the NCCA.
My interest about ten
years ago to be licensed and certified by the NCCA was based on my personal
conviction and understanding that God makes provisions of grace to meet not
only our physical needs but also our temperament (psychological) needs. The
concept of Temperaments presented by the NCCA supported me for teaching that
the pain in our lives is, at the core, the result of unmet
needs – that it is not
primarily the result of adversity from Satan which we can “take authority” over by our declarations against him.
The grace message held
by GracePoint (non-charismatic and theologically conservative) is:
1. We take authority
over pain (illustrated by thirst) by including God's provisions into our lives
(water) against which pain cannot prevail - not by speaking to or against it.
2. The Blood of Christ
has power for justification (to deliver us from God’s judgment against
the human race because of Adam’s disobedience), but it only has power for sanctification (to deliver us from brokenness) in the sense
it makes possible our experience of Christ living his Life in and through us
(Romans 8:10-11).
Respectfully,
Don Whisnant
GracePoint, a Grace Renewal
Church
2407 Mowbray Trail
June 12, 2014
Rev. Don Whisnant:
We appreciate your
feedback regarding the letter of encouragement that was sent from the NCCA
ministry headquarters. If your feelings are that you desire to discontinue your
membership and support of the NCCA, we will request your decision and place
your membership inactive as you requested.
I can assure you that
our intention in sending that email was not to try and cram theology down the
throat of our members, but rather to encourage those that have partnered in
ministry with the NCCA, as they deal with the storms of life we all face both
professionally and personally. It is the intention of the NCCA to reach across
denominational lines, which were instituted by man and not Scripture, to
encourage all who believe in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and through
that personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we receive our Salvation provided
to us only by and through His Grace.
I ultimately approved
the email, both it’s content and the decision to send it out to all of the
members of the NCCA. Please accept my apology for any offense this caused
you spiritually. I will most definitely take your feedback into consideration
as I review and determine the impact of any communications that are sent out by
the NCCA and how they may be received across all denominational spectrums.
I ask that you
reconsider your decision to discontinue your membership and use of the APS.
There is an undeniable impact of the APS in how it allows us to be more
effective in reaching those who are hurting.
If you have made your
mind up and wish to proceed in ministry without the use of the APS and support
of the NCCA, let me thank you now for your service in ministry and support of
the NCCA and the APS since 2001!
Respectfully awaiting
your response.
In Christian Service,
Steve Baran
As President
National Christian Counselors Association
640 Apex RD
Sarasota , FL 34240
MY REPLY
Steve,
Steve Baran
As President
National Christian Counselors Association
640 Apex RD
MY REPLY
Steve,
Thanks for taking time
to respond.
Yes, please do make
inactive my membership. I have already begun removing the NCCA information from
our website.
This is not a denominational issue but a Scriptural one. There is no Scriptural basis from the revelation
God gave to Paul to support the notion we can take authority over adversity
(including Satan) by speaking to it or making declarations against it, no more
than we can speak to thirst or any other adversity or need we have.
The Word spoken and
heard that has power to set us free is not the words spoken by us or others,
but the Life of Christ (the Logos - John 1:1-5) communicated/sown/birthed into
us by the Holy Spirit. I understand a little about the benefits of positive
speaking (to encourage, etc.) and of positive thinking (for playing golf or
riding a bull, I like to say), but they are not the dynamic (Romans 1:16-17)
which heals/purges from us the brokenness of our fallen nature. Only the Living
Water/Seed (experienced during our quiet-time worship) has power to produce
that outcome (Romans 5:10,17). This is the support I offer counselees.
Don Whisnant
NCCA RESPONSE
June 13, 2014
Dear Dr. Whisnant:
We will honor your
request to discontinue your support of the NCCA and the Arno Profile System.
May God continue to guide and direct your steps as you help those who are
hurting find healing, truth, peace, grace, mercy, love and joy through a
personal relationship with Jesus Christ!
In Christian Service,
Steve Baran
As President
National Christian Counselors Association
640 Apex RD
Sarasota , FL 34240
DR. ARNO RESPONSE
June 13, 2014
Steve Baran
As President
National Christian Counselors Association
640 Apex RD
June 13, 2014
Please
know that I love you Don and that I have always cherished our friendship.
I
never thought that theological differences should divide the brethren (cause us
to sever
relationships). The whole matter saddens me to the depths of my soul. I grieve.
I
pray that the Lord will bless you abundantly and beyond
measure and want you to know
that I will always count you as my friend and fellow servant in God's wonderful Kingdom.
Richard Arno
Richard Arno
