Proposal For Local Church Counseling Ministry: Training Phase

Proposal For Local Church Counseling Ministry: Training Phase
By John Woodward
Undated

TRAINING PHASE

(Based on the Exchanged Life Counseling model)

Exchanged Life Conference

Usually a Friday night and Saturday presentation of how to live victoriously in Christ

Recruit and train lay counselors

Although the ministry can begin with the director as the only counselor, there should be a process of facilitating the selection and training of others that are gifted, committed, trained, and approved for the counseling ministry.

Exchanged Life Workshop

A two and one half day training event for those who know Christ as life and desire equipping for helping others appropriate Christ as their life. It includes teaching, video demonstration, role-playing, practice, and group discussion. Although this is an essential training step for counselors, everyone who attends this event will not necessarily be recruited for the formal church counseling ministry.

Institute in Spirituotherapy

The director and counselors would benefit from this three day advanced training offered twice a year at Pigeon Forge.

Ongoing equipping track for counselors

Guided study courses are available from G.F.I. Distance Education courses are available from a variety of schools (and are in development at G.F.I.).

Basic counseling skills training course

How Can I Help course is used for about 14 hours of class time. Each participant uses a manual. This is a basic course covers counseling skills, approaches to evangelism, helping someone through a crisis, and guiding believer to resolve problems biblically. See http://www.laytraining.com

Assemble counseling resource library

Materials are needed to equip counselors and guide counselees. These resources include books, cassette tapes, videos, and CDs. The topics include Exchanged Life teaching, marriage enrichment, parenting, financial management, career guidance, health issues, etc.

The library is a lending service for counselees. Cost ranges from $1,000-$5000. depending on the church's budget.

JBW 2/02

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Grace Fellowship is an international discipleship, counseling, and training training ministry. GFI does not charge for counseling, but is supported through tax deductible contributions. (In Canada, through http://www.CrossWaystoLife.org.) To request resources or inquire about hosting a conference, please contact us.

Grace Notes editor - Dr. John Woodward,
Grace Fellowship International.
President of GFI - Dr. Charles Solomon,
P.O. Box 368, Pigeon Forge, TN 37868 USA. Phone: 865-429-0450.
Home page: http://www.GraceFellowshipIntl.com
International tracts: http://www.SolomonPublications.org
Distance Education: http://www.GFICounselingInstitute.com
John's book: http://www.BiblicalPsychology.net
Photos: http://www.KodakGallery.com/gfi
Children's Ministry: http://www.CarawaySt.com
GFI Bookstore: 1-888-66GRACE (toll free in USA)

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