Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kingsway Community Care Center a ministry of Kingsway Christian Church?

No. While the Kingsway Community Care Center was launched by Kingsway Church and continues to be a generously supported by Kingsway Church, the care center is governed by an independent board of directors comprised of people from many local area churches.

I have already been trained as a Stephen Minister, why do I need additional training?

The Stephen Ministry training manual makes it abundantly clear that Stephen Ministers should not consider themselves to be "counselors." This means that caregiving for the Stephen Minister is effectively a "listening" ministry. While many research studies show that empathic listening is extremely important and very beneficial to care receivers, it can only go so far in treatment. In addition to employing empathic listening, true counseling offers socratic guidance. Since this element is not a part of Stephen Minister training it is the part emphasized most in Barnabas University.

Why do I need 6 months of training?

As conscientious instructors, and as a matter of ethics, we must provide students with the information necessary to competently counsel people. As Christians we must do our best to present ourselves as approved workers who do not need to be ashamed and who correctly handle the word of truth (2Timothy 2:15). 26 weeks is required to cover important topics.

I am willing to volunteer my time as a Lay Counselor. Why do I have to pay for training...shouldn't it be free?

Training volunteers; coordinating their efforts; supervising their work; being available to them as they counsel; providing continuing education and tracking the effectiveness of the program for benefactor funding requires full-time administration. Unless retired or independently wealthy, no working individual could provide this amount of effort and be able to support themselves or their family. For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” Many other training programs cost much more and a master's degree to do this same work would cost many tens of thousands of dollars. Your generous payment of tuition pays a portion of a skilled professional and offsets the need to raise funds for their salary. Furthermore, your paid tuition allows the care center to offer counseling services without sacrificing funding for other important services already offered. For those who cannot afford to pay their own tuition, perhaps your church or some other group would consider sponsoring your training?There are a myriad of ways to earn or raise money for anyone who is serious about being equipped and counseling with excellence.

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