SEMINARS

Seminars are three-hour, in-person trainings for groups that want a 10,000-foot view of pastoral care. Our seminars pull material from the MTIL workshops and provide a smaller portion of this rich pastoral care content. Seminars are available on-demand based on need and location.

Coming Alongside: Introduction to Ministry in Times of Illness and Loss

Facilitator: Paul Riddle for the Houston Region

This 3-hour seminar is designed to introduce participants to the basic skills and concepts necessary to provide competent spiritual support to persons dealing with serious illness and loss.  It incorporates, in abbreviated form, elements of Lifeline’s training workshop Ministry in Times of Illness and Loss, Part 1. These elements include: 1) Introduction and definitions, 2) From Enabling to Empowering: Developing a Healthy Caring Stance, 3) Story Listening, and 4) Effective Ministry to the Seriously Ill, the Dying, and their Loved Ones.

What Do I Do?: A Pastoral Approach to Helping People in Crisis

Facilitator: Seth Shaver for the Tarrant County Region

Two of the most common questions that people have about helping others in crisis are: What do I do? And what do I say? In order to help equip people to be of good help in these times, we will talk about some basics of how hospital chaplains are trained to help people with spiritual and emotional distress. We will also ground these skills with a theological perspective on pastoral care.

Pastoral Care Seminars

Facilitator: Gabe Fisher for the Dallas Region

These interactive seminars consist of three sessions that focus on pastoral care topics that are relevant to the congregation’s needs. The goal is to equip members of your congregation to compassionately support those around them. The format is a mixture of lecture, discussion, and low-pressure activities. Each participant should leave these seminars feeling more confident in caring for people during difficult times. The following list includes examples of past topics offered: foundations of pastoral care, grief support, processing grief, pastoral care skills, how to make a hospital visit, what to say (and not say), and crisis and loss.