Dear Prospective Student,

For many leaders today there are not many stimulating and experiential development training programs for leadership training and group facilitation! We here at Lifestyle Training School have designed a proven program that will develop and promote essential skills needed by current and potential leaders and facilitators. You can now relax! Lifestyle Training School takes great pleasure in offering you a proven, quality, full-time, accredited Leadership and Facilitation course that is ‘Nationally Recognised’.

We have developed this course with the following features:

• Weekly notes supplied to students
• Session CD’s are available for purchase
• Correspondence availability for regional church’s
• Trainers with personal experience and proven knowledge
• We are also Aus study approved Course number 30268 QLD

We can mail you a very intence course outline and information pack, giving you an application form, student fees, the course outlines and the Accredited Student Handbook. The course outline explains what you can expect from each module and everything that you are required to do, to fulfil the requirements as an accredited student.

UNIT OVERVIEW: This is a practical, ministry-based project, which runs over the period of four terms and cannot be completed without access to a facilitation group. The course has been designed to enhance the students’ ability to effectively facilitate a small group, involving discipleship and pastoral care.

PRE-REQUISITE: This ministry-based project runs over the period of four terms. All students are required to be actively involved as a Small Group Facilitator in a small groups ministry programme, for a minimum of two hours per week, for the four terms of the year.

Prior to the commencement of training, all students are required to:

• collect a Ministry Information Pack from the Course Coordinator
• identify an area of ministry involving small group facilitation for a minimum of two hours per week 
• arrange a meeting with the Supervisor of the proposed area of ministry so as to agree on the tasks, responsibilities and goals for the period of training
• ensure that all necessary forms in the Ministry Information Pack have been duly completed and signed by both the proposed Ministry Supervisor and the student
• make application to the Course Coordinator for approval of the proposed ministry activity

ON-GOING APPROVAL: It is a condition of doing this unit that the Course Coordinator approves of the student’s area of ministry as a Small Group Facilitator. Based on the quality of the student’s Journal and the Supervisor reports, the Coordinator reserves the right to withdraw approval, in which case the student will be required to arrange another area of ministry.

Should either the Ministry Supervisor or the student request to change the area of ministry as a Small Group Facilitator, a letter needs to be submitted to the Course Coordinator stating reasons for the request. This letter needs to be signed by both the student and the Ministry Supervisor. Permission to change is not granted until such time as the Course Coordinator has cited, approved and signed the letter of request. No changes to the area of ministry are to be made until such time as approval has been received.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

At the completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. apply the knowledge, skills and attitudes gained from the unit lectures while carrying out the duties of a Small Group Facilitator

    1.1. apply the appropriate style of small group leadership to suit the situation and different types of people

    1.2. demonstrate facilitation techniques that allow group members to share the leadership of the group

    1.3. manage behaviour which is unhelpful to the group

    1.4. facilitate discussion in a group by listening and encouraging group members to share and evaluate what they have learnt

    1.5. facilitate personal growth in group members by brainstorming different ways in which principles learnt can be applied to everyday life situations

    1.6. assist group members in the development of skills such as problem solving and decision making

2. work effectively and cooperatively in a pastoral care role, following up on small group members as required

3. work effectively and cooperatively as a member of a team

4. observe and discuss their role and experience as a Small Group Facilitator, with a view to examining and enhancing their own practice

METHODOLOGY: This is a practical, ministry-based unit providing students with an opportunity to develop their skills as a Small Group Facilitator. The material in this unit will be taught and learned by means of lectures and overheads.

UNIT OVERVIEW: This is a practical, ministry-based project, which cannot be completed without access to a small groups ministry programme. The course has been designed to provide students with the opportunity of developing hands-on skills in leading a variety of teams required for the running of a small groups ministry programme. The course will provide both theory and practice for leading an administration, a promotions and a production team, as they relate to small groups ministry programmes

PRE-REQUISITE: This ministry-based project runs over the period of four terms. All students are required to be actively involved in a small groups ministry programme, for a minimum of two hours per week, for the duration of the year. However, students are to be given the opportunity to lead a team, for at least one term, in eachof the following areas: Administration, Promotions, and Production.

Prior to the commencement of training, all students are required to:

• collect a Ministry Information Pack from the Course Coordinator 
• identify an area of small groups ministry involving a minimum of two hours per week 
• arrange a meeting with the Supervisor of the proposed area of ministry so as to agree on the tasks, responsibilities and goals for the period of training
• ensure that all necessary forms in the Ministry Information Pack have been duly completed and signed by both the proposed Ministry Supervisor and the student
• make application to the Course Coordinator for approval of the proposed ministry activity

ON-GOING APPROVAL: It is a condition of doing this unit that the Course Coordinator approves of the student’s area of ministry. Based on the quality of the student’s Journal and the Supervisor’s Reports, the Coordinator reserves the right to withdraw approval, in which case the student will be required to arrange another area of ministry.

Should either the Ministry Supervisor or the student request to change the area of ministry, a letter needs to be submitted to the Course Coordinator stating reasons for the request. This letter needs to be signed by both the student and the Ministry Supervisor. Permission to change is not granted until such time as the Course Coordinator has cited, approved and signed the letter of request. No changes to the area of ministry are to be made until such time as approval has been received.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

At the completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. discuss basic principles involved in setting up a small group ministry programme

2. demonstrate a basic understanding of the principles and practices involved in developing and working with teams

3. apply the knowledge, skills and attitudes gained from the overall curriculum while carrying out various duties involved in the running of a small group ministry programme

    3.1. lead a team responsible for a range of administrative duties required for the efficient running of a small groups ministry programme

    3.2. lead a team responsible for promotion activities as they pertain to a small groups ministry programme

    3.3. lead a team responsible for production activities as they pertain to a small groups ministry programme

4. work effectively and cooperatively as a leader of a team

5. work effectively and cooperatively as a member of a team

6. observe and discuss their roles and experiences as a leader involved in the areas of administration, promotion and production, with a view to examining and enhancing their own practice

METHODOLOGY: This is a practical unit that focuses on providing students with the knowledge and skills required to lead teams, with a view to later coordinating a small groups ministry programme.

In order to pass this unit, students are required to follow the reading schedule of your manual over a period of two terms, as well as gain practical experience in leading administration, promotion and production teams in the context of a small groups ministry programme. Students are required to pass all of the assessments.

UNIT OVERVIEW: The course will introduce, and develop within the students, the skills to grasp the nature of God and man for themselves. It will also explore and apply the relationship between God, themselves humanity and the creation which will enable students to start to ‘think theologically’

Learning outcomes:

• Describe and explain the nature of structure of theology 
• Explain the reasons for studying theology.
• Convey the principles of the methodologies of theological study.
• Put theological principles into practice verbally and in writing, formally and informally.
• Define and discuss the essential nature and attributes of God according to the Scriptures. 
• Explore and apply the relationships between God and the student, God and humanity & God and the creation.
• Enable students, in their own words, to express their belief in the existence, character and actions of God to both modernist and post-modernist hearers.
• Enable the students to start thinking ‘theologically’

ON-GOING APPROVAL: It is a condition of doing this unit that the Course Coordinator approves of the student’s area of ministry. Based on the quality of the student’s Journal and the Supervisor’s Reports, the Coordinator reserves the right to withdraw approval, in which case the student will be required to arrange another area of ministry.

Should either the Ministry Supervisor or the student request to change the area of ministry, a letter needs to be submitted to the Course Coordinator stating reasons for the request. This letter needs to be signed by both the student and the Ministry Supervisor. Permission to change is not granted until such time as the Course Coordinator has cited, approved and signed the letter of request. No changes to the area of ministry are to be made until such time as approval has been received.

Course Outline:

This course provides a brief overview of the main elements of theology.

In the first semester, we will consider themes associated with the doctrines of the Word of God, God Himself, man and Jesus Christ.

In the second semester, we will look at the doctrines of the Holy Spirit, salvation, the church and the future.

UNIT OVERVIEW: This is a practical, in class project, which runs over ten weeks. The course has been designed to enhance the students’ ability to effectively communicate within a small group setting. The course will also increase the knowledge and understanding about general communication and its importance as a life skill.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

At the completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Select appropriate group communication technique(s) to use in a given scenario and explain their use within the context of a meeting.

    1.1. Identify group communication techniques

    1.2. Apply in a simulated role-play a group communication technique.

2. Reflect on the implementation of a communication techniques, critiquing their effectiveness within a specific meeting setting.

    2.1 Analyse and discuss communication techniques.

    2.2 Identify and implement the most effective technique for your group meetings.

3. Be able to discuss small group structures and the basic characteristics of small groups.

4. Be able to demonstrate knowledge of techniques which will enhance a presentation and use these where and when necessary.

    4.1 Outline how to analyse an audience.

    4.2 Identify ways of overcoming stage fright and nerves.

    4.3 Debate the pros and cons of using visual aids, audio equipment and other presentation tools.

METHODOLOGY: This is a practical, ministry-based unit providing students with an opportunity to develop their skills in speaking in a group setting as a Small Group Facilitator.

UNIT OVERVIEW: This is a practical, ministry-based project, which cannot be completed without access to a select area of small groups ministry. The course has been designed to provide students with an opportunity to work with, and develop, leaders within a small groups ministry programme. The course will provide both theory and practice for developing leaders within a small group ministry programme

PRE-REQUISITE: All students are required to be actively involved in a select area of small groups ministry, for a minimum of two hours per week, for the duration of the year. However, for the duration of at least one term, students are to be given the opportunity to coordinate the small groups ministry programme, so as to gain real-life experience in developing leaders.

Prior to the commencement of training, all students are required to:

• arrange a meeting with the Supervisor of the proposed area of ministry so as to agree on the tasks, responsibilities and goals for the period of training
• ensure that all necessary forms in the Ministry Information Pack have been duly completed and signed by both the proposed Ministry Supervisor and the student
• make application to the Course Coordinator for approval of the proposed ministry activity

ON-GOING APPROVAL: It is a condition of doing this unit that the Course Coordinator approves of the student’s area of ministry. Based on the quality of the student’s feedback, and the Supervisor’s Reports, the Coordinator reserves the right to withdraw approval, in which case the student will be required to arrange another area of ministry.

Should either the Ministry Supervisor or the student request to change the area of ministry, a letter needs to be submitted to the Course Coordinator stating reasons for the request. This letter needs to be signed by both the student and the Ministry Supervisor. Permission to change is not granted until such time as the Course Coordinator has cited, approved and signed the letter of request. No changes to the area of ministry are to be made until such time as approval has been received.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

At the completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. explain the basic principles involved in developing a leader

2. explain good leadership practices and their importance

3. outline strategies that would be effective in training and equipping leaders

4. demonstrate the principles involved in developing leaders while working effectively and cooperatively as a coordinator of a small groups ministry programme

5. work effectively and cooperatively as a member of a team

METHODOLOGY: This practical unit focuses on providing students with the knowledge and skills required to develop leaders within a small groups ministry programme.