“We represent the God who is both with us and out in front of us calling us, inviting us, even challenging us, to move into the future. As Moltmann put it,
‘God is the one who accompanies us and beckons us to set out. And it is God who, so to speak, waits for us around the next corner…. Even on the false paths we take in life God continually opens up surprisingly new possibility to us.’
The living God does not beckon from behind us somewhere in history, but is pulling us toward the horizons of promise and fulfillment. Those hurting people with whom we sit are crying out for new horizon of hope. They need future stories that provide security, excitement and joy in the present moment. Pastoral caregivers enable despairing persons to gain the courage to lean into their future, to revision and reconstruct future stories that are connected to hope rather than despair. ”
-Andrew D. Lester “Hope in Pastoral Care and Counseling” Chapter 10
Month: April 2020
Certification Board March 2020
In early March, Dr. Sim Dang-Awan Jr. headed a certification board in Mindanao. Due to COVID-19, we have been a bit slow to update results. But here is what can be shared at this time.
1. Congratulations to Chaplain Phanuel (Phan) L. Buac in passing his
certification review board with recommendation of BCCC/BCPC (Board Certified Clinical Chaplain/Pastoral Counselor). Chaplain Phan presently heads a counseling center in Zamboanga City, and has been facilitating Clinical Pastoral Orientation there.
2. Congratulations to Chaplain Victor C. Navarro in passing his certification review board with recommendation of BCCC/BCPC (Board Certified 
Clinical Chaplain/Pastoral Counselor). Chaplain Victor presently serves as the head chaplain at Adventist Medical Center-Iligan City. He also presently holds certification of Full Supervisor with Asia Association of Clinical Pastoral Education (AACPE).
<For both, some items like training center accreditation, as well as S.I.T. or Supervisor status will have to be worked out in the following weeks.>
April 2020 Updates
Not much news right now at CPSP-Philippines. Here are a few items.
1. Membership and Center fees are delayed until the second half of 2017. We have moved away from the calendar year, so when one pays one’s annual fee, it will be good for 12 months starting from time of payment.
2. Most training programs are on hold due to enhanced quarantine conditions. However Bukal Life Care is experimenting with online CPE. Hoping to learn from this.
3. Speaking of online services, CPSP (US) is holding online support groups for member chaplains. It can be a valuable place on Zoom for helping the helpers.
4. Bob and Celia Munson are working on a new book… Pastoral Counseling Case Workbook. Completion date? Unknown, but people are welcome to look at the books already done with CPSP Philippines (Check menu above).
CPSP-Philippines 