Stephanie Butler
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR OF COUNSELING
Stephanie Butler was raised in Seattle, Washington, and came to faith in a small, faithful body of believers in a Lutheran church. The ministry of this body literally fed, clothed, and often housed her through a difficult childhood riddled with poverty and neglect. Through the work of faithful people, Stephanie’s faith was nurtured and became the lifeline she needed.
What do you like the most about teaching at Grace?
I love the international and multicultural experience. I love the focus on equipping people to work with their own people groups. It is incredibly powerful to have well-trained teachers who are passionate about reaching their people. The students are incredibly curious and committed.
How do you embody the love of Christ in your teaching ministry?
Shame has no place in our ministry. I genuinely love people and believe God is never done with us. So, regardless of where someone is on their journey with Jesus, I try to meet them as Jesus met the adulteress or the woman at the well — full of grace and compassion but not lacking in truth or wisdom. It can be tricky to balance when resourcing from my own humanity. But, when I remember my stumbles, trips, and falls along my own path, I am reminded that I am not “done.” As Paul says in Philippians, “Not that I have already grasped it all or have already become perfect, but I press on if I may also take hold of that for which I was even taken hold of by Christ Jesus.”
What is the most critical role of a counselor in a church setting?
The most critical role is to embody the love and grace of Jesus. We often need to remember that Jesus was not in the business of behavior correction; He was in the business of building relationships. That should be our business as well. In the church setting, we are often so concerned with the “appearance” of evil that we are busy fixing the appearance and forget that real people are complex, and we will continue to sin. The question is, how do we walk to Jesus in the midst of our sin and struggle, be received in His grace, and experience what it means to have a relationship with Him? A Christian counselor and a church counselor should be hyper-focused on conveying the love and grace of Jesus to a hurting seeker, follower, or sinner.
Degrees
- Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies, Southwestern College
- Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy, Fuller Theological Seminary