WHO IS THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION

OF CHRISTIAN THERAPISTS

Read through these pages to discover how to become a Pastoral and Ordained Christian counselor or therapist. As you browse this website, you’ll find our requirements for certification and licensure, member’s articles, and other important information about the A.A.C.T. If you inquire you will find the tremendous support one receives as an AACT member.

If you have questions, or wish to receive our catalog or application for membership, please call or e-mail us today. You may also print these pages, along with the application and required reference forms. Payments may be made online with your credit card, or through your checking account through Paypal, or simply enclose your personal check with your application. Remember, please call or write if you have any questions.

The American Association of Christian Therapists is an association that credentials qualified Christian and Pastoral Counselors who meet established standards of education and training. The A.A.C.T. offers various levels of certification and licensure to provide Pastoral and Christian counselors and therapists the opportunity for continued advancement, and to assist the general public in screening. We want to insure that our certified and licensed members have the necessary tools and training to help hurting persons.

Please note that the AACT is not affiliated with any state or national government entity or approved by any state or national agency. AACT licensing and /or certification is a Pastoral or Ministry certification, intended to encourage and promote quality and standards within the field of Pastoral Counseling. Our credentialing process is provided for ordained ministers desiring to acquire and demonstrate competency in pastoral counseling, and for state licensed therapists desiring to acquire and demonstrate competency in their knowledge of theology and theological integration.

Please check with your state laws to assess what kind of titles pastoral counselors are authorized to use in promotion and advertisement (specifically check on words such as “clinical” or “therapist”), and whether you may utilize a license issued by a private credentialing agency. In certain situations, we shall offer licenses only to those who meet A.A.C.T. qualifications, and who simultaneously hold a state license or can validate by letter or a copy of state regulations that this title is legal to use within the state the applicant resides. All other applicants may apply for certification levels.

However, please note that the final responsibility is yours to insure that you are in compliance with the laws of the state in which you reside. Biblically, we are required to obey the laws of our land when those laws are not in conflict with the laws of God.

WHY WE ARE CALLED DAYSPRING


Through the Tender Mercy of our God, Whereby the Dayspring from on high has visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet in the way of peace

Luke 1: 78-79, KJV

1:78-79 What does the word "Dayspring" refer to here?

Dayspring means the springing up of light. In scripture it is used only in a spiritual sense. Firstly, it refers to the coming of John as Christ's witness (CP Jn 5:35) and then it refers to Christ Himself, as the light of the world (CP Isa 9:2; 60:1-3; Mal 4:2; Mt 4:16; Lu 2:25-32; Jn 1:1-9; 3:19-21; 8:12; 9:5; 12:35-36, 46; 2Pe 1:19; Rev 22:16).

Who We are . . .

It is with much excitement that I am writing you about the Dayspring, ECC Church organization and Government. It seems from continuous study that we truly a representation of several parts of Christ’s Church.

Let me say first off that we are a Spirit Filled, Christ Centered, Evangelical, Conservative part of the Body.  We take some of our organization from the Roman Catholic, The Anglican, The Methodist, The historical Christian Church, and several other congregational type bodies including the Pentecostal and Charismatic…Our worship ranges from high church to Pentecostal/Charismatic, depending where we are and what we are trying to accomplish in the worship service.  When we ordain and consecrate we celebrate with liturgy.  Other services may find us laying hands on people and many “falling out” in the Spirit.  Yet on another hand we are ecumenical, tolerant, progressive, and try to be on the cutting edge of what is happening religiously and spiritually. 

Our clergy may preach with open collar, blue jeans, or other informal attire.  No clergy apparel is required… but it is allowed.  In formal celebration we may be wearing robes from the Protestant or Roman Catholic traditions…We also designate that our Regional (Provincial) and Area Pastors should wear a blue clergy shirt and our Bishops will wear a purple clergy shirt.  From time to time our Archbishop will wear a Red Clergy shirt designating the highest office in the association called DMI.