Connections Centre introduces Love your Life – new ministry training group in 2012

Introductory weekend Fri 27th Jan 7-9pm & Sat 28th Jan 8am-3pm

Thereafter the group will meet on Mondays 7-9pm from February to July.

WHAT IS 'LOVE YOUR LIFE'?

A process of walking alongside people who are confused, discouraged and disempowered to help them find courage to grow, faith to approach God, confidence to tackle their issues, a belief in their own worth and peace in their present circumstances.

WHY DO PEOPLE NEED MORE THAN A CONNECT SESSION?

Many people lack a basic sense of being – they are not ready to be fathered by God because they have never been mothered (affirmed, accepted and given ownership of their own destiny – to know that it is a good thing that they are alive!!!!) They are not ready to take down the walls between themselves and God because they fear that God will overwhelm them. They sometimes come for prayer but they have strong defenses or even no defenses (they are completely confused and condemned about everything). Sometimes they are furiously trying (and failing) to change everything around them except themselves (the only thing they can change!)

HOW DOES THE LOVE YOUR LIFE PROCESS DIFFER FROM CONNECT?

The Holy Spirit is able to break into people’s lives at any time and change/empower them through a dramatic encounter with the presence and person of Jesus and connect or re-connect them with their heavenly Father. However, he also seems willing to be the Paraclete – the “counselor” who walks alongside a person in their current journey. This is a humble, often less directive or prophetic role which gives a huge measure of respect and dignity to the person to walk at their own pace, discover things for themselves and to make their own decisions from a liberated will.

WHO CAN CONDUCT THIS PROCESS?

Like ‘Connect’ ministers, ’Love your life’ counselors need a secure sense of their own sonship, a really good grasp of boundaries and a patient empathic listening – with the insight to challenge the client about the incongruities between their (stated) goals and purposes and the way they go about achieving them. As Danny Silk so wonderfully puts it: “What do you want?” “What are you doing about it?” “How is that working out for you?”

WHAT TRAINING IS REQUIRED?

We are starting with an introductory weekend (which is open to anyone to discover what the process is all about) and then a group of interested and suitable parties will meet weekly for six months in the first half of the year. This will include theological training, theoretical training, skills training and counseling experience. There will also be individual reading and some written assignments. Our aim is to be able to release people to counsel independently under the supervision of the Connection Centre. How long that training takes will depend upon the aptitude, experience and learning process of the individual. There is no certificate or formal training at the end of the course but we are confident that it will provide a very solid grounding for those who might consider further training for a vocation in pastoral or any other field of professional counseling.

The group is primarily for the training of Hillside members, but the introductory weekend is open to others. If there is space non-Hillside people may be considered to join the group, following an individual interview and on the recommendation of their own pastor.

If you are interested and would like to attend the introductory weekend please book with Jill Lawton 084 470 4949 or jill@hillside.org.za