Blog Category: Faith
Biblical Hope Is Not Toxic Positivity — and the Difference Matters
Biblical Hope Is Not Positive Thinking With a Bible Verse There are moments in the Christian community that are well-intentioned and yet somehow wounding. Someone shares something heavy — grief, burnout, a marriage in crisis, depression that has lasted years — and the response arrives quickly: “God has a plan.” “Just keep praying.” “You need…
Build the Highway: Preparing Pathways for People to Return to God
Build the Highway: Preparing Pathways for People to Return to God There is a kind of need that is hard to ignore. We see it in the exhaustion of leaders, the anxiety of young people, the grief sitting quietly beneath the surface of families, the loneliness in our communities, and the spiritual confusion many people…
2026 Is Approaching Half Time: Making the Second Half Count
Making the Second Half Count Ancient Paths, Deep Flourishing, and the Life-Giving Way Forward It’s almost half way through 2026—how did that happen? The year that once stretched out before us with possibility is already approaching its midpoint. For some, the first half of the year has brought momentum, clarity and growth. For others, it…
Faith, Psychology, and Formation in Christian Counselling
Learning to Hold It Together: Why Formation Matters in Christian Counselling Christian counselling is never just about learning techniques. It is about becoming a particular kind of person — one who can listen deeply, reflect wisely, and respond faithfully in the complexity of human lives. This commitment to Christian counselling formation recognises that who we…
Spiritual Formation, Fear, and Following God’s Call
Ready to Change? Most people do not resist change because they are stubborn or unwilling. They resist because change asks something of them — emotionally, spiritually, and relationally. Often, the desire for change is present long before action follows. People recognise patterns that are no longer life-giving. They notice recurring struggles, emotional reactions, or relational…
When Compassion Isn’t Enough
Why Spiritual Formation Matters in Ministry Most people enter the ministry of helping others because they care deeply. They are willing to show up, listen, pray, and walk alongside others in difficult seasons. Compassion is often what draws people into ministry in the first place. But over time, many discover that compassion alone is…
Why Celebration Matters
Celebration: A Practice That Restores Soul, Body, Relationships, and Spirit As Christmas and the holiday season approach, celebration becomes more visible around us — lights glowing in windows, gatherings filling calendars, and moments of reflection marking the close of another year. Yet in the busyness, the deeper purpose of celebration is often overlooked. This leads…
Do You Want to Get Well – Part 2:
Entering the Deep, Life-Giving Restoration of God Christian healing is one of the most misunderstood words in the Christian vocabulary. For many people, healing sounds like “getting fixed,” “getting over it,” or “getting back to normal.” But the biblical and theological vision of healing is far more expansive, richer, and more deeply hopeful than anything…
Christian Revival in Australia – We Need Counsellors
Revival Is Here. Are You Ready? Across the world—and here in Australia—we’re seeing signs of a Christian revival. In the middle of rising anxiety, fractured communities, and a search for stability, more people are returning to faith. And not just in theory—church attendance is increasing, interest in Christianity is growing, and spiritual conversations are becoming…
Christian Counselling Training that Integrates Faith, Skills & Purpose
Do you feel called to help others through life’s challenges, with both faith and practical skill? At aifc, we equip Christians to become qualified counsellors who serve with compassion, wisdom, and professionalism. Whether you’re a pastor, chaplain, teacher, nurse, or exploring a new path, Christian Counselling could be the next step in your journey to…
An Invitation to Flourish
Finding Your Rhythm with God: Creating a Rule for Life We all live by unspoken rules. Phrases such as “Do your best,” “Never give up,” or “Work harder” often shape our daily choices and patterns. Whether we realise it or not, these mottos guide how we spend our time and energy. But what if, instead…
Breaking Through the Terror Barrier: Reclaiming Your Power Over Fear
Breaking Through the Terror Barrier: A Christian Perspective on Fear, Calling, and Change Fear is not just an emotion—it’s a spiritual and psychological threshold. In coaching language, we call this the Terror Barrier: the invisible wall that rises whenever we approach meaningful change. But for the Christian, this isn’t just a mindset challenge—it’s a matter…
The Transforming Presence of Christ
The Transforming Presence of Christ: Why Christian Counsellors Matter More Than Ever At the heart of Christian counselling lies a profound truth: real transformation flows from abiding in Christ. Not behaviour modification. Not willpower. Not trying harder. Christian counselling is sacred work because it points people toward the life-giving presence of Jesus, the source from…
The Two Reasons we Hide from Love
For a variety of reasons, most of us live two lives: an external life and an internal life.
Faith Under Pressure: Where Are You Looking?
Where can we turn to? Where can we look during times when we are being bombarded relentlessly, it seems. I'd like to suggest three places to look, if you will, all drawn from God’s Word that will hopefully enable us to move forward even when our faith is under pressure.
Faith Under Pressure: Do you know who you are?
Who are you? A simple question to answer, or so it would seem. Responses will be varied depending on where you find yourself in this season of your life. Very often, one answers this question from the premise of a role. I am a husband. I am a wife. I am a mum. I am…
Wait. An Advent Reflection.
Near the heart of the Christmas / Advent Story is the expectation that God is going to offer a gift. The head-fake in this Bible story is that, when those waiting come up on or are given that gift, it’s just a baby.
Focusing on Jesus
The current season of Lent - which commenced on March 2nd - offers us an opportunity to do just that: keep our focus firmly on Jesus.
The shortest Psalm and the greatest wisdom
Psalm 117 is the shortest chapter in the Bible: just two verses, approximately thirty words. The message is powerful, especially for those who struggle with worry and anxiety. Here’s four take-away points from it.
Embracing the Lordship of Christ: A Life-Altering Journey
In the captivating video titled “The Lordship of Christ,” Francis Chan shares a deeply personal testimony that explores the transformative power of surrendering to the authority of Jesus Christ. Through his own experiences and a thorough examination of Scripture, Chan reveals the profound significance of embracing God’s lordship in our lives. Recognising the Holiness…
Embracing Resilience: Overcoming Weaknesses and Failures with Confidence
In the Book of Hebrews, we find a powerful testament to the resilience of individuals who turned their weaknesses into strengths, emerging victorious even in the face of daunting challenges. The verse states, “Whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle” (Hebrews 11:34 NIV). This profound insight serves as a timeless…
Honouring the Earliest Voices of Resurrection Worship
As the Church around the world celebrates Easter—the triumph of life over death, light over darkness, and hope over despair—we are drawn into a mystery that spans centuries. A story not just preserved in Scripture, but carried in the hearts, songs, and prayers of the faithful across generations. As we come to the close of…
You are the Solution to the Connection Crisis
You are the Solution to the Connection Crisis A good question can reframe a conversation, cause us to think differently, and even change the course of a life. Jesus asked many questions. One such life-changing question was asked of the man at the Bethesda pool. We read in John 5:6 that Jesus asked, “Do you…
Stop and See: Meeting Jesus in the Midst of Pain and Disappointment
Stop and See: Walking with Jesus in the Midst of Pain In a recent sermon titled “Stop and See,” delivered by aifc’s General Manager, Sally, we were invited into the story of Luke 24:13–35 — a passage marked by sorrow, confusion, and, ultimately, deep revelation. It’s the road to Emmaus, where two disciples, overwhelmed by…
