CHRISTIAN LIFE TRAINING ACADEMY The wise also will hear and increase in learning, and the person of understanding will acquire skill and attain to sound counsel [so that he may be able to steer his course rightly] Proverbs 1:9 Amplified www.clta.co.za 0
Contents What are the 3 underdeveloped areas when it comes to equipping Christians? p 2 Is this really what I want? p 5 Testimonials p 6 What if I don t get what I was looking for? p 7 What CLTA offers that other Bible Colleges don t? p 8 Pastoral Therapy Course Appendix A Postgraduate Diploma Appendix B Ministry and Divinity Courses Appendix C 1
CLTA has identified 3 underdeveloped areas in terms of equipping Christians. 1. Are today s qualified pastors and ministers fully equipped to care for, counsel, and assist the traumatized and emotionally distraught person? Most Bible colleges focus extensively on dogmatic and doctrinal correctness and therefore give their prospective ministers a solid theological basis. This however, does not always offer the know-how for helping people dealing with unresolved emotional pain, trauma, and the conflicts in life. Research from the Barna Group 1 has shown that more than 30% of Church-going- Christians battle with unresolved emotional problems and issues of the past and feel that the Church does not give them the answers/solutions to these issues. When ministers and pastors do not have the knowledge and tools to look after the whole person 2, these Christians eventually begin to look for answers in the secular world. CLTA provides an accredited Pastoral Therapy course, which provides sound structure for counseling with the use of essential therapeutic tools. The goal of this course is to educate prospective ministers in the field of Psycho- Social Theological Anthropology and is endorsed by Calvary University as well as the North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus) 3. In this course, every prospective pastor and minister will receive the necessary knowledge, understanding and tools not only to have a solid biblical foundation but also to attend to those with unresolved emotional issues and assist them in growing into a well-balanced, fully functional mature child of God. The course provides sound and practical structure for counseling and therapy where the focus is the new life in Christ and not only on the sin of man. CLTA equips the qualified minister to help Christians heal from their unresolved emotional pain and traumatic past. 1 www.barna.org 2 1 Thessalonians 5:23 3 North-West University (Potchefstroom) requires the Honours Degree student in pastoral therapy to do a one year bridging course in order to commence with his/her Masters Degree in Practical Theology. Calvary University has no such requirement. 2
2. Do pastors and ministers understand the dynamics and forces that shape and stimulate relationships (especially marriage relationships)? One shocking phenomena is the similar divorce statistics of the Church and the world! This speaks clearly of the Church s lack of knowledge, competence and understanding regarding of the complex dynamics in marriage relationships. Although students are always well aware of all the Scripture verses regarding marriage, the practical application of processes like connection, dialogue, validation, and empathy within the boundaries of the marriage relationship is still a vague concept if not incomprehensible. There is a vast difference between theory and real-life experiences regarding the complexity of relationships. Where does one find the practical answers to some of the most difficult issues a minister may face? CLTA s Pastoral Therapy course (as well as the Postgraduate Diploma) educates, clarifies and demonstrates the powerful dynamics that take place in all types of relationships (especially the marriage relationship). The Professional Facilitator subject is a hands-on training module where the focus is on facilitating the dialogue process in marriages, family interaction, and group relational communication. It is based on the 30+ years of well researched and proven Imago Relationship Model developed by Harville Hendrix (PhD). Understanding of the marriage-cycle is an invaluable piece of information. Every couple that experience marital problems and does not have this knowledge may think their marriage is in deep water. However, with the application of the revolutionary dialogue process, they may again find the safety and trust to open their hearts to one another and experience unconditional love. CLTA gives all prospective as well as qualified ministers an in-depth and comprehensive training in one of the world s best relational models. You will be fully equipped to facilitate dialogue and communication between married couples, families, friends, colleagues, and company employees. 3
3. Does the pastor or minister of today have the necessary tools to help, assist, and work in a wider circle within his or her community? Ministering, intercession, and teaching within the Church are a few aspects of being called into ministry. However, the church can be of greater significance in the world if they have the knowledge and assessment scales to their disposal to help children, adults, employers, employees and the general public in this stressful (and very often traumatic) world. Can they (pastors and ministers) counsel and provide the necessary therapy to a wider field of people? CLTA s Pastoral Therapy course (and Postgraduate Diploma) provides each student with scientifically proven assessment scales with which they can provide a service to the larger community. The qualified student will receive access to well-researched and scientifically developed assessment scales. These assessment scales will give them the opportunity to: Start their own counseling practice, Become involved in the assessment of school children in areas such as for trauma, stigma, guilt, lack of self-worth, anxiety etc. Do career planning for high school and university students, Assess leadership qualities in both high school children and adults, Assess employee satisfaction and financial security levels, Assess employee s driving dynamics and assist in making the necessary changes to increase performance and productivity, Determine organizational functioning and more. With this qualification and practical tools, some qualified pastors and ministers have become consultants, counselors, and therapist in the secular world and in this way have spread the healing and transformative work of Jesus Christ. 4
Is this really what I want? What if I do not want to study Pastoral Therapy but want a qualification in Ministry or Theology instead? CLTA offers a three year Advanced Diploma in Ministry, where after the student can choose to do his/her Higher Diploma, Bachelor, and Honours in either (practical) Ministry or Divinity (theology). Should the student, after having received the Advanced Diploma in Ministry, decides to change his or her course to Pastoral Therapy instead of Ministry or Divinity, without any bridging subjects. Are all the courses distance learning or are there also classes / workshops to attend? The Ministry and Divinity courses are distance learning from the 1 st year s Certificate to the 6 th year s Honours Degree. However, the Pastoral Therapy as well as the Postgraduate Diploma courses has 2 to 4 workshops per year that is optional but recommended. Here the students get hands-on, practical demonstrations of the counseling processes and therapeutic tools. Is the material or content based on a specific denomination s dogma? No, the material of Calvery University as well as the Pastoral Therapy and Postgraduate Diploma courses is non-denominational. The fundamental doctrine is Biblical correct, but open for interpretation as the student grows in character and maturity. If I have questions about the material or need some explanation, whom do I ask or where do I go? CLTA has a number of qualified ministers that attend via email to all questions and enquiries of students. Whenever a particular Church or Ministry uses our material, they appoint an internal qualified person to attend to their students needs. CLTA has only received its Christian Quality Assurance accreditation in 2011. How do I know the material is of a high standard? 5
Although CLTA is still in its infancy, it is an accredited Bible College and the material used is endorsed by Calvary University. All certificates, diplomas, and degrees are issued through Calvary University. Furthermore, the Pastoral Therapy and Postgraduate Diploma courses have been endorsed by the North West University (Potchefstroom). After completion of a one year bridging course, the student is eligible to continue with a Masters Degree in Practical Theology at North-West University (Potchefstroom). Testimonials I am amazed by the results, which I have never been able to achieve with my normal counseling. GP Kemp (Clergyman) I have received dynamic counseling aids which are time and cost effective. The course really is a winning recipe. For sure it is an asset for all counselors and organizations. EC Müller (Social Worker) It was the best spiritual experience of my life and I will treasure this (Postgraduate Diploma) course as a precious jewel. HH Myburgh (Theologian) The perspective I have received on my own life and on the essence of man enabled me to counsel with more understanding and with a lot more selfconfidence. For the first time I really feel able to help people. PA Viljoen (Clergyman) This is an exceptionally good and practical course (Postgraduate Diploma) and it will be difficult to find its equivalent. H van den Berg (Psychology) 6
What if I don t get what I was looking for, or are not happy with CLTA s material? The no-questions-ask policy of Christian Life Training Academy It means that if for some reason, within 3 months of your enrollment, you do not feel pleased (and blessed) with our material; you will not be liable to pay the remaining course s fees - no-questions-ask. It is our desire that all students will be eager to learn and look forward to graduate and apply what they have learnt in real-life. Just return all the material and CD s after 3 months. The free-assessment-credits policy of Christian Life Training Academy Every Pastoral Therapy and Postgraduate Diploma student will receive 10 free credits worth R2500 from the Assessment Centre after completion of the course. The free credits may be used on any of the nine assessment scales 4, and the student may charge his or her clients market related prices for doing the assessments. 4 Assessment Scales are: Child Functioning Inventory (SPrim), Child Functioning Inventory (High), Career Planning Inventory, Eating Disorder Assessment, Job Value Profile, Leadership Qualities Inventory, Corporate Functioning Screening Inventory, Self-Perceptions Scales, Personal Multi-Screening Inventory. 7
What CLTA offers that other Bible Colleges don t? All our graduate students will be empowered and equipped to be effective in ministry as well as in the secular world. They have been endowed not only with counseling and therapeutic tools, but also with assessment scales to help and evaluate a wide range/spectrum of people. This gives each graduate a wider vocational field and the opportunity to start his of her own ministry, counseling practice, or consulting business to the corporate world or community services. Each graduate will have the relational skills to create a place of safety between two or more people in order to facilitate peaceful communications and brings any two or more people to a place of understanding and creative solutions. 8