I have a renewed appreciation for the pain, the anguish, and the suffering that we mortals both endure and perpetrate on others. I am also much more aware of the ‘pain covering’ strategies which we develop in ignorance, or perhaps defiance, of the healing God wants us to know. $500 is nothing compared to the revelations I have received about the human condition, I will never view human behavior, or God’s redemptive work, the same again. I highly recommend this course to you.
Have you ever sat through a sermon, attended a lecture or completed a course where you wished so-and-so was there to hear what was being said? This is one of those situations, but the ‘so-and-so’ is every adult I can think of! I know one couple who have done it twice, at least two other people who enrolled in both the morning and night groups so they got a double dose, and everyone in my group seems really enthusiastic about how it has helped them. From drug addicts to doctors of psychology no one will go away untouched.
I think that my own personal growth and spiritual growth has been accelerated through doing this course and I cannot wait to do it again!
Andrew himself was an excellent facilitator/ leader. He has so much love in his eyes that just spills out. So although his knowledge or instruction/ teaching could be considered very strong – it didn’t feel judgemental or harsh. There was lots of kindness. Andrew LOVES it and it’s really evident that he is enjoying himself. He is completely present and doesn’t disengage from us at any point. He is never on devices or referring to notes. He is connected and present. Andrew is incredibly wise and handles very delicate or sensitive issues with sometimes unusual, but certainly effective ways. His spontaneity and lack of structure works really well in this course as it allows room for the Holy Spirit to lead, and makes room for people’s own readiness to share or particular needs to be met. It was fluid and free. Andrew didn’t do a whole lot of ‘standing up the front and teaching’. Almost none in fact. But I didn’t feel that it was required. I felt as if we learned sooooooo much more through observing and practicing than we ever could have taken in through being taught.
I really loved the model Andrew used – in which someone volunteers to be counselled using real issues and concerns… volunteering to be vulnerable. Someone else is appointed their counsellor. And the rest of us get to observe. Then Andrew pauses the session at times to explain to everyone (including the two people engaged in the counselling session) what is going on, or why something appears to be happening, etc. etc. This ‘third person analysis’ or whatever it is, is very powerful. The person sitting in the chair being counselled has no idea about what strategies they are employing to avoid the real issue – but it’s being discussed right in front of them in real time. It’s amazing. It’s not confrontational. But it’s very confronting. And the atmosphere is one of love. Everyone is there to learn and grow, be vulnerable, and help one another towards healing and wholeness with the Gospel at the very centre. It’s a phenomenal thing. I feel as if this is the kind of thing we should be able to do at home with our families, in churches, in coffee shops with our friends, etc.! The intimacy of our group was incredible. I felt such love, trust and connection with each person. It was a very special group to be a part of.
Throughout the course, I had an increased revelation about our sin nature as human beings. Somehow, I had previously believed that we were all born good and when we exhibited bad behaviour it was coming from somewhere broken, but it isn’t who we really are. We are good. Made in God’s image. Throughout my counselling journey with Andrew, and consolidated a LOT in the course, I realised that we are born sinful. And we are completely incapable of any 100% pure good. There will always be a shadow of sin – even if we are blind to it – until heaven. Therefore – sin is not quite so confronting. If you are sinful and I am sinful – and completely depraved – then it’s not so shocking when we do see it. We can expect to find it around every corner. Something about this revelation has brought me great comfort – because I used to be so shocked by people’s sin – or the sin that had been committed against them – that I had no framework to deal with it. I am now far less shocked or worried about seeing people’s sin.
I decided to do the course, because my husband and I have been through a very rocky journey – and our past year of counselling with Andrew has been unlike any other counselling we’ve ever done. It’s been wonderful and God has healed us and brought restoration that we could have only dreamed of. Because of our journey – people often ask us questions or refer other friends in similar predicaments to us – I felt that doing this course might help to guide me and give me some tools to handle those situations better. I certainly had no interest in becoming a counsellor.
Initially, going along to Andrew’s live counselling course was one of the scariest things I’ve done, (my stomach would be in knots!!) but ended up being one of the most rewarding, life changing experiences. Most of the group I was involved in knew each other already (which I thought would make it easier), BUT it was actually very hard being really REAL with people who you are “nicey, nicey’ with. I was encouraged to get REAL in a safe, confidential environment, in a group that that respected my vulnerabilities about my past and present, and ‘forced’ me to deal with wrong patterns and unsafe relationships in my life. Andrew’s guidance of the group was amazingly insightful and made me dig deep and face up to issues in my life, but also gave me the courage to stand up and BE ME!!!, (Wow, did I actually write that!). No more hiding!!! Thanks Andrew, Thank God for giving you the gift He has given you.
I have loved every single session and think I could quite easily become addicted. I would love my husband to do it and would highly recommend it to all of my Christian friends, church members and family. I don’t think that it’s ‘only’ for people who want to become counsellors. I think it’s helpful for all people.
I learnt that the way I was communicating was keeping me trapped and alone, preventing me from connecting with others and developing close relationships. I practiced honesty with myself and the group, which resulted in building authentic personal relationships – there are people in the world who care and want to know about me and my opinion! I believe truth and intimacy with others heals – I am dealing with and not alone in my pain. I loved watching others grow and was excited by my own growth. And I’m looking forward to doing the course again next term. Thank you, Andrew, for providing a safe and respectful environment for this to happen, and for your truthful insight and kind guidance.