In this episode of Shop Talk with Brandi and James, Brandi and James talk with Dr. Knapp of Liberty University about the growing field of counseling in member care and the need to intentionally prepare the next generation of people who will care for cross-cultural workers.
Kenyon C. Knapp, Ph.D., LPC is a Counseling professor for the School of Behavioral Sciences at Liberty University, where he previously served for 8 years as the Dean. He has counseled for 30 years, worked in numerous counseling settings, and served as a board member for CACREP, and currently serves on the Board for One Another Ministries. He is the grateful husband of Ginger and dad for Kenny, Bella, Sam, and Jackson.
Although member care continues to grow, Dr. Knapp describes it as a developing field that still lacks clearly established core competencies and educational pathways. Member care can sometimes be viewed as something people move into later in their careers rather than a primary calling that requires intentional recruitment, development, and training. The conversation explores the need for stronger succession planning, greater professional development, and more intentional preparation of the next generation of member-care providers.
The discussion also considers the important roles of both pastoral care and clinical counseling. Rather than viewing them as competing approaches, Dr. Knapp emphasizes the need for a broad continuum of care for cross-cultural workers. Some needs benefit greatly from pastoral and spiritual care, while others require the specialized skills of trained mental-health professionals. The conversation explores how appropriately trained counselors can integrate an understanding of spiritual and pastoral concerns with sound clinical practice. This is the advantage of an integrated Christian counseling bringing both perspectives to the member care arena.
Dr. Knapp also discusses a gap he observed in advanced educational opportunities for counselors interested in member care. This led to the development of Liberty University’s International Cross-Cultural Counseling programs. These online programs are designed to provide advanced preparation for professionals interested in the unique counseling and care needs found in international and cross-cultural settings. The programs include specific coursework in member care, culture, trauma, and cross-cultural counseling. The conversation also explores worldview and cross-cultural counseling. Dr. Knapp reflects on the importance of recognizing how culture and personal experience shape a counselor’s worldview while grounding his own identity first as a son of God and citizen of heaven. Greater self-awareness can help counselors enter another person’s cultural context with humility rather than unknowingly imposing their own assumptions and experiences.
Finally, the episode looks at pathways into member care, especially through professional counseling. Cross-cultural field experience can provide an important foundation, followed by education and training appropriate to a person’s calling, professional role, and location. For those interested in this level of member care, there are growing opportunities for professional training, networking, conferences, and advanced education.
Liberty University Programs
Ed.S. in Community Care and Counseling – International Cross-Cultural Counseling
Liberty’s online Education Specialist program provides post-master’s advanced training in international and cross-cultural counseling. The curriculum includes a 15-credit International Cross-Cultural Counseling cognate with coursework specifically addressing member care.
Ed.D. in Community Care and Counseling – International Cross-Cultural Counseling
Liberty also offers a 57-credit online doctoral program combining International Cross-Cultural Counseling coursework with advanced study, research, leadership, and a dissertation.
Member Care Continuing Education
Liberty also lists continuing-education courses including Member Care: Issues and Trends and Member Care: Pre, Mid, Post-Care.
