This posting marks just one more step in the evolution of the Opelika Daily News.  I’d like to welcome David Bailey to the site and I look forward to his monthly postings.  As part of David’s opening of the center, we’ve included a link in the sidebar for quick assess to the information he has there.  I personally look forward to David’s contribution to the continued growth of what we’re doing at the Opelika Daily News. Welcome!

In essence, the storyline of the Bible is the restoration of the world.  From Genesis to Revelation, God communicates his redemptive plan for reconciling humanity to himself, ending with a grand vision for a new heavens and new earth where there is no more crying, pain, or death.  As Christians, however, waiting for that glorious ending can be a tremendously painful process.  There are more than enough deaths, shattered dreams and unmet desires to go around.  Life can get overwhelming to the point that one might even wonder, “Is there even a God out there at all? And if there is, does he care about me?”  Therefore, Restoration Pastoral Counseling Center, located in First Presbyterian Church Opelika, has opened its doors to help people experience the reality that God is constantly in the business of restoring lives, relationships, marriages and families.

The goal of the center is to provide affordable pastoral counseling and education to individuals, couples, families and groups for a wide variety of emotional and spiritual problems—including addiction, anger, anxiety, career concerns, depression, doubt, grief, marital strife, parenting difficulties, relational challenges, stress, and more.  Currently, David Bailey, who joined the staff of First Presbyterian Church Opelika in August, is the sole Pastoral Counselor on staff.  Having received his Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Counseling degrees from Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, FL, Bailey is in a unique position to provide soul care from a Scriptural perspective that considers the physical, emotional and spiritual dimensions of life’s challenges.  He says of the RPCC ministry, “There are all kinds of factors that play into emotional and spiritual health, and most of the time there aren’t easy answers to your problems.  That’s why having someone come alongside you to help bear burdens, encourage and offer a clearer perspective can be invaluable.  It has been for me personally, and that’s what we at First Pres Opelika want to offer through the RPCC.”  Interestingly, Bailey maintains that even among people who attend church services there’s a deep-seated reluctance to honestly admit weakness and ask for help when needed.  He offers, “The American credo generally and the Southern way particularly is ‘pick yourself up by your bootstraps’ and start living a better life.  Unfortunately, that type of thinking results in Christians who feel like they have to put on happy faces and pretend that everything in their families, their marriages and their individual lives is perfect.  Under the surface, however, most of us are struggling and hurting in profound ways, and thankfully Jesus invites those who are weary and burdened to come to him for rest—not those who have it all together.  Therefore, our hope is to not only address the surface behavioral issues in a person’s life but to also work hard at integrating psychology and theology in a way that taps into the core struggles of his or her heart.”  In so doing, Bailey hopes clients who come to RPCC experience the safety of God’s presence and the freedom of the gospel in ways they never have before.In an effort to make the pastoral counseling services available to as many people as possible, First Presbyterian Church Opelika requests a donation of $50.00 per 50 minute session (well below the average “going rate” for counseling in the Opelika/Auburn area).  However, its hope is that the cost of pastoral counseling services is not a burden or barrier to individuals in need.  Therefore, partial and full scholarships are available for those demonstrating financial hardship.  

For more information about Restoration Pastoral Counseling Center or to schedule a counseling appointment, call First Presbyterian Church Opelika at 334-745-3421 or visit the website— http://www.firstpresopelika.org/counseling/about-restoration.  David Bailey can be reached directly at david@firstpresopelika.org.  If you are interested in supporting the ministry of Restoration Pastoral Counseling Center by providing counseling “scholarships” for those who can’t afford the cost of services, please send donations to First Presbyterian Church Opelika, 900 Second Avenue, Opelika, AL 36801.  Indicate Restoration Pastoral Counseling in the memo line.