TRAINING

Barnabas Training is a multi-level series of lessons and exercises, grounded in the belief that God is at work in us, in our relationships, and even in our struggles. This training equips participants with a Biblical understanding of the human heart, beginning with their own. A Barnabas staff member leads and equips the group with tools that foster redemptive conversation, and deepen connections to self, others, and Christ. Each level of this training includes teaching, self-reflections, homework, and interactive small group experiences. 
To see upcoming training opportunities, click HERE.

BARNABAS TRAINING BASIC

Barnabas Training Basic is a one-day introduction to the foundational principles of The Barnabas Model, which considers the human heart and human relationships within a Biblical framework. Barnabas staff counselors offer lectures that explore our longings as human beings, our inherent dignity and depravity, our efforts to manage our inevitable disappointments, and the hope that the love of God brings to the broken world. The content includes lectures, self-reflection, and an interactive small group experience, plus a take-home reflection to practically apply the principles to one real-life friendship. Barnabas Basic offers an excellent introduction to our multi-level Barnabas Training Groups, which equip people to pursue redemptive conversations with others who are facing difficult times in life and faith.  Register for Barnabas Training Basic on November 9th here!

STORY WORK

Story Groups

When we share our stories with people who truly listen and seek to understand, our sense of connection and compassion for ourselves and one another increases. Though we cannot change the events of our stories, we can change the way we continue to experience them. Designed for individuals who have completed at least Barnabas Training Level 2, Story Groups offer participants a safe space for further exploration of their own story, as well as teaching on engagement and conversation skills that are useful for exploring the stories of others.

Participants will share and engage a single story from their families of origin while learning and applying story work principles and themes such as embodied listening, attunement and containment, contempt and shame, and rupture/repair. Each Story Group is made up of 6-8 participants and lasts 8-10 weeks, depending on the number of participants.

NEW! Individual Story engagement (trial offering Jan - may 2025)

Open to participants who have completed Barnabas Training Level 1, story engagement, the skilled exploration of sensitive life stories, offers individuals the opportunity to go deeper into the joyful and harmful stories that have particularly shaped them. Many, though not all, of these defining experiences occurred during childhood. Each story is an opportunity to explore significant themes in your personal narrative, your style of relating which was formed and cultivated throughout your childhood, and the impact of your past story on your current relationships. Over the course of two sessions, the participant will be guided in looking more closely at the narratives that have shaped his/her life through the lens of a single written story. 

Please note that this story engagement offering is not therapy, which tends to have an undefined timeframe, and sets out to manage present relational and behavioral struggles. Rather, this offering seeks to celebrate the dignity and disrupt the depravity that exists in each story, as well as uncover something of the unique goodness and glory of God's story for each individual. The engagement is guided by a staff member who has earned the highest certificate of training through The Allender Center in Seattle, well-known for its expertise in trauma-informed narrative care and personal story work.

Please email Erin Holler to schedule a preliminary interview.

FURTHER TRAINING

GROUP PROCESS AND PEER SUPERVISION

Group Process is an 8-week group for those who, having completed Level 2, have a desire to further explore their own story in light of the Barnabas Model. This group will provide participants with an opportunity to both receive help caring for people in their lives and to be personally cared for in a group context facilitated by Barnabas Staff.

Peer Supervision is an 8-week group that is available to those who are currently in a role of intentionally caring for others and who have completed Barnabas Training through Level 2. This role may be in a ministry or any other caregiving job. Less formally, participants could be a regular and intentional care giver to friends. Peer Supervision provides participants with an opportunity to develop their skills in offering care in specific situations, in light of the Barnabas Model, facilitated by Barnabas Staff.