Answering your questions about Charis
The need for Charis is apparent to anyone who is in touch with what is happening in the Church today.
A recent survey of pastors reveals that:
- 80% believe their work is negatively affecting their families
- 50% feel unable to meet the demands of their work
- 90% feel they were not adequately trained to cope with the demands placed on them
- 37% have been involved in inappropriate sexual behavior
- 70% have a lower self-image than when they entered the ministry
These statistics indicate why a ministry like Charis is essential.
Many ministers are hurting, many are exhausted and depressed, many are dropping out.
Clergy "burnout" has become commonplace.
These are stressful times. The Church and its leaders feel the impact of change.
Communication is often ineffective.
Power struggles and personality conflicts are tearing churches and pastors apart. Help is needed!
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- Those who are experiencing extreme stress in their ministry or personal lives...
- Those who are contemplating a change or are already in transition...
- Those who want a time of personal and/or ministerial evaluation...
- Those who want personal and relational renewal...
- Those who are experiencing burnout or who simply need to "sort things out"...
Claris has helped many rediscover the grace of God.
Thanks be to God for a ministry which serves God's servants!
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The Ministry of Frank Green
For many years Frank Green has been helping pastors and their spouses through his gifted use of therapy.
Here are a few expressions of their appreciation for what the Lord has done for them through his ministry:
- A pastor's wife
- "Through the hours of counseling with Dr. Frank Green, I learned to begin to accept myself...
to realize that I am a unique person with many talents and gifts... I've come a long way...
There are still days when I feel anger and hurt about church. But now... I have the tools I need to deal with my feelings..."
- A "terminated" minister
- "Our time with Dr. Green... is helping us to see ourselves and work out our problems.
We have come to realize that unfulfilled childhood needs and experiences have influenced our actions as we served
in the ministry... We are thankful for Dr. Green and all that he is teaching us."
- A pastor who experienced painful trauma
- "When I think of Frank Green, I see a man whom God is using to "rescue rescuers"... taking people deep within
themselves to a place where the real person is and helping them see themselves as they really are...
Frank has been patient, loving, and compassionate. He has helped me to sift through the ruins of my past and find what
is worthwhile. Now I have renewed hope and vision."
- A pastoral couple
- "Here (in Dr. Green) we found a strong Christian counselor whose compassionate ministry helped us struggle through
our deepest agony... We are thankful for Dr. Green who has so ably drawn upon biblical principles in helping us to
journey from defeat to victorious living..."
Charis West
Larry and Christine Barber are trained and experienced family therapists in Eugene, Oregon.
They conduct "Intensives" for pastors and other Christian leaders.
The following testimonies come from participants in their Intensives.
- "The Barbers created an environment where I felt comfortable sharing openly.
I felt I could trust them and they cared for me."
- "It was incredibly helpful to be there as my wife uncovered past hurts, feelings, and protections.
It helped me to better understand her and to have more compassion for her."
- "I felt the Barbers gave us tools to take with us so that we were able to build on the work we did there.
It was so much more than theory and exercises.
We "acted out" situations, engaged in dialogue... poured out our lives in front of them while they gently
pushed us to dig deeper. Living it out in front of them has helped us continue to live it out at home."
- "Larry and Christine helped us develop a level of intimacy in our relationship that we had not known.
The most valuable thing for me was having my husband there as I dealt with those painful issues.
As a result he was a significant part of the healing.
We have continued to process the things we learned during the intensive."
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Intensives: the Charis Retreat Program
The Charis Retreat program involves two weeks of intensive counseling for couples and individuals.
Each retreat is limited to eight persons.
Three hours each day are devoted to group counseling. Additionally, couples or individuals receive counseling as needed.
Why a two week program?
- This much time is needed to develop an effective therapeutic relationship between participants and therapist(s).
- One week is not long enough for participants to concentrate fully on their issues.
- Group counseling requires extended time for relationships among the couples to develop.
- The process is accumulative. The best work is done during the second week.
- Relaxation and recuperation are part of the experience. Maximum effectiveness requires and unhurried pace.
What are the retreat goals?
- To enable participants to deal freely and redemptively with their personal and relational frustrations, hurts, and stresses.
- To assist participants to come to an understanding of how their feelings about themselves and others originated and developed.
- To set participants free to develop a more accurate and complete self-understanding and self-appreciation.
- To help participants begin to learn more effective patterns and skills in relating to themselves and others.
Charis Seminars
Effective leadership in today's churches requires effective preparation.
Many pastors acknowledge that they were not adequately trained to cope with the demands which are placed on them.
Lay leaders frequently have no training at all in leadership.
Much of the conflict and heartache which mark the Church today could be avoided,
if pastors and other leaders were better prepared for their tasks.
Therefore, in addition to "short-term Intensives," Charis offers valuable seminar opportunities
designed to meet the needs expressed by those in vocational ministry.
Dr. James Mason
Dr. Mason, Professor of Pastoral Care, Bethel Seminary, Minn., and a consultant to churches, offers the following seminars:
- Leadership Development in the Context of Growth and Change
- Resolving Interpersonal Conflict in the Church
- Toward More Effective Board Leadership
- Understanding the Role of Pastor
- Alternatives to Broken Relationships
- Celebrating a Church's Past/Choosing Its Future
Larry and Christine Barber
The Barbers, Family Therapists in Eugene, Oregon, offer the following seminars:
- Building Healthy Families
- Understanding Relationships
- Dealing with Difficult Emotions in Ministry: Anger, Anxiety, Guilt, Depression, Sexuality
Dr. Frank Green
Dr. Green, founder of Charis, Family Therapist, and Seminary Professor, offers these seminars:
- How to be the Person You Want to be in the Midst of Conflict
- Survival Skills for Those in Ministry: Dealing with Stress and Life Management
- A Systems Theory Understanding of Ministry
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