Dan Montgomery's Scriptural Self Compass

Kate and I have recently seen the need for a new expression of the Self Compass, one that shows how key Scriptures can contribute toward a balanced walk with Christ. 

Scriptural Self Compass

Love: “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Pet 3:15).

Assertion: “(An elder) must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it” (Titus 1:9).

Weakness: “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word” (Ps 25:8-9).

Strength: “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isa 40:31).

The wisdom of the Self Compass is that it helps you cultivate the very rhythms of grace seen in Christ's personality through the Gospels. We need Jesus as our personality model, and we need the whole of Scripture, including both Old and New Testaments, to influence our personality and relationships.

I encourage you to meditate on each of these Scriptural Compass points, and connect them with a visualization of yourself putting them into action. 

For the Love compass point, picture yourself cultivating gentleness and respect for family, co-workers, neighbors, and even strangers.

For the Assertion compass point imagine holding firm with Christian values and refuting worldly influences from television, movies, and literature that would otherwise corrupt your Christian orthodoxy.

For the Weakness compass point, pray that the Holy Spirit might help you become more humble and contrite, because the Lord draws near to us when we confess our needs to him.

For the Strength compass point remember to call upon the power of the Lord to renew your strength you in times of adversity or challenge. He will do it!

Keep the Scriptural Self Compass in mind day and night, for these LAWS of personality and godly guidance are meant to bring you ready assistance in a vast array of life situations. Join Kate and me in this prayer:

"Dear God, thank you for the love you show me. Please show me how to assert myself in gracious ways. I humbly call on you in weakness, knowing by faith that you will always strengthen me. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Church Curriculum and Christian Psychology

My wife Kate and I are discovering that a wide range of churches are adopting our Compass Series books for the purposes of adult education and pastoral ministry. 

We see God's hand in this since our life mission seeks to locate Jesus Christ as the dynamic center of spiritual and psychological health. In light of this, we are gratified that Raymond Pendleton, ordained minister, psychologist, and Professor of Pastoral Psychology at Gordon-Conwell Seminary , says, "Dan and Kate Montgomery are making psychology safe for Christianity." 

The Compass Series books provide individuals, pastors, and churches with reliable principles of health psychology  integrated with Christian orthodoxy: namely, the divinity and humanity of Christ, the plenary verbal inspiration of Scripture, the Nicene and Apostles' Creeds, and the foundational doctrine of one God in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

We thought you might be interested in a brief description of each book's relevance to church life and Christian formation and discipleship. To view the table of contents and first chapter on Amazon through 'Search Inside the Book,' click on the titles below.

1. The Self Compass: Charting Your Personality In Christ. Used as a book study or adult class text. Includes a study guide. Helps congregants take action in developing healthy personality and relationships. An early chapter provides a Self Compass Inventory, followed by practical growth steps in every chapter for becoming more Christlike. Mike McGuire at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary writes, "In this book you will see yourself, and what you see will make you want to change by drawing closer to God and applying God's Word to your life."

2. Faith Beyond Church Walls: Finding Freedom in Christ. An inspirational how-to-grow-in Christ book for new Christians and those who desire a closer walk with God. Thompson Mathew, Dean of Theology & Missions at Oral Roberts University, writes, "A heart warming conversation and invitation, Dr. Dan Montgomery does not attack the Church nor whitewash her blemishes. His concern is with the individual needing healing and wholeness. His well developed personality theory and some very moving personal stories inspire hope which heals people and their relationships through Jesus Christ."

3. Trusting in the Trinity. An exciting book choice for adult classes, since the Trinity underlies all Christian doctrine, yet remains obscure to most Christians. Clearly identifies the Trinity as the foundation of persons and relationships. Shows the Trinitarian significance of personality, justification by grace, human nature, love, marriage, miracles, prayer, science, psychology, and the Bible. Expositor's Bible Commentary Editor Tremper Longman III writes, "A thoroughly biblical Trinitarian theology that can transform our life and relationships. I recommend it to all who take their faith and their soul seriously." 

4. Christian Personality Theory: A Self Compass for Humanity. Provides a Christian alternative to Freudian, Jungian, humanistic, and cognitive-behavioral personality theories. Helps people think in Christian ways about child-rearing, adolescent development, marital communication, and personality transformation. Great for a class that seeks intellectual stimulation as well as spiritual inspiration. Darcia Narvaez at University of Notre Dame writes, "I am fascinated by the Self Compass. The growth orientation of the Compass Model offers a transformation mindset that can benefit any reader. Well done!" 

5. Compass Psychotheology: Where Psychology and Theology Really Meet. For those who are maturing in their Christian faith, this book integrates Old and New Testament Scripture with the best insights from health psychology. Provides pastors and lay ministers with a depth understanding of people's behavioral dynamics, increasing their capability to minister over the lifespan to the complex individual and couple needs of our day. Gordon Fee, Editor, New International Commentary on the New Testament writes, "Dan Montgomery's Christian personality theory is innovative and biblically sound." 

The following books are designed to strengthen pastoral ministers, and Christian professional and lay counselors.

6. Pastoral Counseling and Coaching: Compass Therapy in Churches. This book empowers pastoral resourcefulness in meeting the diverse needs of the contemporary church. The church is a natural home for healing and counseling, and enjoys a long tradition of caring for souls. Case studies show how to excel at the level of counseling you are comfortable with, while referring more complex cases to a licensed therapist. Most of all, it shows how to stay fresh in your ministry without being overwhelmed by people's needs. Abigail Evans at Princeton Theological Seminary says: "Brings God's healing into congregational life."

7. Christian Counseling That Really Works: Compass Therapy in Action. The Church's mission involves preaching the Gospel of Christ as well as implementing it in people's lives. This means using techniques of transformation that help move people forward through the various crises and life passages they encounter. Linda Marten at Dallas Theological Seminary writes: "Through the Compass Therapy framework and many techniques Dan Montgomery utilizes, you can see examples of Christ's love coming alive in the counseling session. I appreciate his insights and focus on healing the whole person (mind, body, spirit, and emotions). This is what good Christian counseling looks like!"