January 20, 1998

To: Representative Ruby Stone
re: Licensing of Pastoral Counselors

Dear Ms. Stone,

I serve as President of the International Association of Biblical Counselors, a certifying organization for Christian counselors committed to the application of Biblical principles to the "dysfunctions" and problems of living.

I am writing to express our concern that Idaho has chosen to move across the gulf of "separation of church and state" by issuing licenses to pastoral counselors, even on a voluntary basis. If I understand correctly, the state has chosen one organization, the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, to represent all pastoral counselors and has allowed it to define what constitutes pastoral counseling and who qualifies as a pastoral counselor. We find this to be unwarranted, since we, nor other organizations such as the National Association of Nouthetic Counselors, were consulted on this matter. Having read the bill, I can tell you that we do not agree with their definition or qualifications.

We urge the legislators of Idaho to reverse its intrusion into spiritual matters which belong solely to the church.

Thank you for taking the time to consider this important issue.

Sincerely,

Ed Bulkley, Ph.D.
President, I.A.B.C.
13005 Sycamore
Grandview, MO 64030
E-MAIL: counsel@calvary.edu