The courses are divided into Foundational Courses and Advanced Courses. In order to be able to attend an Advanced Course, a Foundational Course needs to have been attended first. We also have a wonderful “stand alone” course called Growing a Healing Ministry which is mentioned below.
FOUNDATIONAL COURSES
1. IMPORTANCE OF LISTENING
Participants are introduced to listening patterns both helpful and unhelpful, and practise the active listening method via the context of their own life experience.
TIMING: This can take the form of a 1 – 2 hour presentation or a day long workshop.
2. LISTENING FOR LIFE
Christians learn to improve their listening skills in the context of their lives at home, work and church. Sessions include:
Catching a vision for Listening; Growing a heart for Listening; Deepening compassion for Listening and Walking the way of Listening.
This is the fundamental course on which most of the other courses build.
TIMING: 4 sessions of 2½ hours. This can be run over a weekend (or two Saturdays) or weekday sessions – one session each week.
ADVANCED COURSES
1. CALLED TO LISTEN
“Called to Listen” is for those who have completed the Learning to Listen courses and who have been recognised by Christian Listener tutors and their church leadership for a ministry of listening in their churches and/or community. This course enables people to listen more effectively to themselves, to others and to God as a means of encouragement on the journey towards wholeness.
TIMING: Called to Listen is held over four or five days in a residential setting or as a 12- session course over a period of 10 weeks with 2 Saturday sessions.
2. LISTENING TO PAIN & HOPE
This course focuses on those who care for the ill at home – particularly caring for those with AIDS. It equips carers to listen to those who are in pain.
TIMING: 5 sessions of 2½ hours.
3. LISTENING TO CHILDREN IN DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES
The focus of this course is on equipping carers to deal with children who have to deal with their parents being ill, hospitalised or dead. This course provides guidelines for the carer in dealing with children in these difficult circumstances.
TIMING: 5 sessions of 2½ hours.
4. GROWING A HEALING MINISTRY
This course helps people to learn about the holistic nature of Christian Healing Ministry and to apply what they learn in and through their local church. This course stands on it’s own and does not require attendance of any other course. It also introduces the concept of Listening as a Healing Ministry.
TIMING: 5 sessions of 1½ hours each –usually run over 5 evenings.