GCCS is excited about offering opportunities to discuss relevant issues in our culture and churches. We want to provide a stronger network with our supporting congregations and empower them as first responders to the counseling needs of their members. The following topics can be discussed in a variety of formats based on the congregation’s and counselor’s availability. Starting in 2020, we are offering the following seminars as either a month-long Bible class, a weekend workshop, or in a retreat setting.
Please contact our office (423-499-9535) if interested in setting up one of these seminars for your congregation.
Navigating Our Digital World: Tech and the Home
It’s the new normal to live in a digitally connected world, and yet parents often find themselves asking questions like:
- “Why do my kids constantly check their phones?”
- “How can I help my family actually be together when we’re in the same room?”
- “How can I supervise what my kids are saying and sharing?”
- “How (and when) can I gracefully take off the media training wheels?”
While we might know that we are living in a digital world, navigating that world is a whole different challenge.
If you find yourself wanting more information, ideas, and action steps for engaging with digital media as a parent, then we hope you’ll consider coming to our workshop: Navigating our Digital World. Drawing from the best research on media and youth, as well as conversations with parents like you, this workshop offers new ideas for your most pressing tech-related dilemmas.
Parents with kids of ANY age are welcome.
Making Family HIStory: Marriage Enrichment
“I wonder how God is going to surprise us?” How often do you take time to wonder about your family’s future with God as the guide? You’ll have the time to do that during this seminar. And here’s a spoiler alert…He’s going to surprise you! This seminar is about finding context, perspective, and purpose as it pertains to our family story. How were you shaped by your family growing up and how do you want to shape your own family going forward? No matter where we came from, good or bad, God can be the author and finisher of our family’s story, if we let Him. When we turn our story over to Him He always writes the best ending.
All couples are welcome whether engaged, married, parents or no children.
Deeper Connections: Intimacy, Vulnerability, and Mentorship
Even though we have more apps and devices than ever before to keep us connected, we still feel isolated and disconnected from others. How often have you heard “I just don’t feel connected”? Whether this is in church, youth group, bible class, or a small group setting we are longing for someone to draw closer to that “gets us” and is committed to walking alongside us in life. This seminar is designed to point out the importance of building intimacy and vulnerability into your settings and give practical ways to connect deeper with those in our realms of influence. More than ever people are living under the old adage “They don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” It is imperative that we seek deeper connections with those in our congregations if we want to make life-long disciples and followers of Jesus.
This seminar is designed for church leaders (ministry, small group, etc.)
Preventing Ministry Failure: 7 Foundations for Going the Distance
Great ministers don’t just happen, just as great falls from ministry don’t just happen either. How do we make sure that our leaders can go the distance and avoid burnout? A complex mix of factors both internal and external tests the limits of our ability to minister wholeheartedly over the long haul. This seminar is based on the book by the same name from Brad Hoffmann and Michael Todd Wilson who have worked with ministers who were removed from their place of service. We will explore their findings and incorporate the best practices to ensure longevity and fulfillment in ministry.
This is seminar is designed for ministers, deacons, and elders.