![Help[H]er logo charcoal no BG.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bedb3c_8a38628c4f4d47f9a0e501fa01d7ab00~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_184,h_53,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Help%5BH%5Der%20logo%20charcoal%20no%20BG.png)
Introducing our premiere course
Theology of Story
Our stories are not isolated incidents to be shelved, rather they are histories to remember and steward.
Self-Paced online course enrollment opens Fall 2024 semester.
Our experienced instructors, Melissa Affolter and Ann Maree Goudzwaard, have developed a unique and comprehensive course that explores the theology of storytelling. We believe that storytelling is one of the most effective ways to overcome the challenges of trauma and create a path forward. Our course provides a thorough understanding of the biblical history, significance, and technique of storytelling and how it relates to the healing process. Theology of Story is a unique, in-depth program that understands difficult subject matter with a care-filled, trauma-informed approach.
Increase familiarity with concepts, terminology, and issues involved in story work.
Build out your biblical model of crisis care for one-another ministry.
Enhance your methodology for providing training and care.
Think creatively about biblical care and contemporary methods.
Designed for Biblical Care
Is the art of storytelling something new? Is it simply the latest secular fad? This course will demonstrate that it’s not. The Bible is largely made up of narrative, God’s stories progressively unfolding His truth. History is ‘His Story,’ the story of God moving among His people. His stories tell us of His covenant, His promise of relationship. As the supporting actors in His redemptive plan, our stories fit into His. Story work inevitably leads us to God as it directs our attention toward Him. In story work, we’re asking the hard questions, “Where were you? How did this happen? What does it look like to heal? To forgive? To move on?” In articulating our stories, we’re essentially pleading to know Him.
Join us as we delve into story work, find the words, grieve the losses, hear from Him. If you are a caregiver who wants to learn more about helping sufferers impacted by crises, Theology of Story is for you.
Questions Answered
Dr. Heather Evans
Safe to Hope podcast
Thank you so much for the work that you're doing because you are highlighting information that Christians and the church desperately need. The way that you're going about doing it is giving us an invitation to bear witness. And when we bear witness, people are changed. The one who is giving the testimony courageously, vulnerably sharing is providing an opportunity for them to find their voice again. So you are creating that setting. Ann Maree, I can't thank you enough for the work that you're doing.
Dr. Diane Langberg
Suffering and the Heart of God
You cannot call or talk people out of suffering or trauma or addiction or of great grief. You must go to them and sit with them and listen and understand. And then little by little you can begin to walk with them toward a new and different place. You cannot help if you do not enter their darkness.
Dr. David Pooler
Thank you. I want to just say that I still have hope for our church leaders in the sense that, while this is a really tough one, I have hope that there are people hearing this that are going to take appropriate action. And also, I just want to say to any survivor who’s listening: “I see you. I hear you. Your story really matters, and I’m glad that you’re in a process of transformation.” I would just end with comments for both positions of those in leadership. Yes, I believe in you. You can do something different and something better and you can make a difference. And to those of you who have been injured, I would say, “We see you; we include you; and we want to see you flourish and be a part of helping transform our churches.”