Training Program to Become a TNSA Spiritualist Minister

Transcription

1 Training Program to Become a TNSA Spiritualist Minister Do you have a strong desire to help people? As a Spiritualist, have you thought about serving the living as well as those who have transitioned out to the spirit world? There is a tremendous need for qualified Spiritualist ministers in response to the opened minds of those who have discovered that life truly exists after death. As you progress through the training program, you will learn the history of ancient and modern Spiritualism, begin or enhance your developing abilities to communicate with spirits, learn the importance of consistent meditation, and tune yourself into your healing guides who will assist you in effective Spiritual healing. Learn the difference between spirituality and religion. Explore the various world and American religions and develop a comparison between them and Spiritualism, a true American religion. Because Spiritualism firmly acknowledges the continuance of life after death, you will learn how to develop the unique skills required to deal with those who are dying. And, how to effectively communicate and console those who remain in their grief. The Pastoral Skills section will get to the root of what a Minister is and how to fulfill a major requirement of service. Many types of pastoral care and counseling will be discussed with a special concentration on Spiritual Caregiving in the healthcare industry. Spiritualist Ministers have the additional duty to help those who have crossed over and have difficulty continuing on their journey. A special class will be given on how to help the soul release itself into the light and higher dimensions.. And finally, the public side of ministry Services, Ceremonies, and Public Speaking. Weddings, funerals, memorials, special occasions, Sunday Services, all with an interfaith approach, as well as, exploring the development of your potential to produce an effective and uplifting sermon. The Minister Training Program is specifically designed to meet and fulfill the ordination requirements as set forth in the TNSA Constitution and By-laws. The entire Minister training package takes place over sixteen 3-hour sessions. Beginning with Sunday, March 1st, There will generally be two classes per month culminating with the last class in September. The cost of each session is Fifteen dollars. Since some of the courses have multiple sessions, the cost will be multiples of Fifteen Dollars. Taking the entire package is $ plus the cost of your books and supplies. Each class is open to the public who may only wish to attend one particular class. Should someone wish to become certified as a TNSA Spiritual Healer or Medium, the specific classes for these certifications would fulfill their educational requirements in these areas.

2 Program & Course Descriptions Spiritualism 6 class course All students taking this section on Spiritualism are required to read Becoming a Spiritualist by H. Gordon Burroughs. Copies can be obtained through TNSA or at This book is given free of charge to new TNSA members.) Also, The Afterlife of Billy Fingers by Annie Kagan. SP01 History of Ancient & Modern Spiritualism Early Pioneers 3 credits Sunday, March 1, :00PM Course Fee $15.00 History of Spiritualism with discussion of important leaders such as Swedenborg, Mesmer, A.J. Davis, A. C. Doyle, and the many who fol lowed in Modern Spiritualism SP02 Spiritual Healing 3 credits Sunday, March 15, :00PM Course Fee $15.00 This course covers many modalities of Energy Healing and stresses the importance of using TNSA approved techniques for certification, with hands-on practice. (This class will satisfy the minimum education requirements for TNSA Spiritual Healer certification.) SP03 Meaningful Meditation 3 credits Rev. Andrea Krawczyk, instructor Sunday, March 29, :00PM Course Fee $15.00 Discusses the various ways of meditating and emphasizes the importance of frequent meditation. SP04 Mediumship 3 class course 9 credits Rev. Joanne Matthews, Instructor Required Text Book The Complete Idiot s Guide to Communicating with Spirit by Rita S. Berkowitz and Deborah S. Romaine. Sundays, April 19, May 3, May 17, :00PM Course Fee $45.00 This 3-part series will cover the types of physical and mental mediumship, getting to know your spirit guides, how to develop one s abilities, and use them effectively in an ethical manner. (These three classes will satisfy TNSA s minimum education requirements for Medium certification.)

3 DG01 Dealing with Death and Grief 2 class course 6 credits Rev. E. J. Doyle, Instructor Sundays, May 31, & June 7, :00PM Course Fee $45.00 ***Required text Books In the Presence of Grief by Dorothy S. Becvar and Sacred Passage: How to Provide Fearless, Compassionate Care for the Dying by Margaret Caberly Death or transitioning is a major event that the Spiritualist minister must under stand and be prepared for. Additionally, once death has taken place, it is now the minister s obligation to help with the grief and grieving of those who remain in life. The five stages of grief, the inner world of grief, including emotional rest, regrets, angels, dreams and hauntings, and the outer world of grief, including anniversaries, clothes and possessions, holidays, and closure. Special circumstances will also be discussed such as children, multiple losses, disasters and suicide. WR01 Comparative World Religions 2 class course 6 credits Rev. John Midura Instructor Sundays, June 21 & July 5, :00PM Course Fee $30.00 ***Required text books World Religions in America Jacob Newsner, Editor, and World Religions in Brief by Gary E. Antion and Douglas Ruml. In this two-part course, all major religions will be covered with emphasis on religions in America. Comparisons between them and Spiritualism is the main focus. The student will creat a historical synopsis of Spiritualism as a true American religion, including a description of church organization, beliefs, and characteristics, views of reincarnation, sacred texts, and characterization of God. Pastoral Skills 3 class Course PS01 Definition of a Minister, Types of Pastoral Care & Counseling 3 credits Sunday, July 19, :00PM Course Fee $15.00 ***Required text book Basic Types of Pastoral Care & Counseling by Howard Clinebell. PS02 Spiritual Caregiving 3 credits Sunday, August 2, :00PM Course Fee $15.00 ***Required text book Spiritual Caregiving, Healthcare as a Ministry by Verna Benner Carson & Harold G. Koenig. PS03 Spirit Release 3 credits Rev. Barbara Hardie, Instructor Sunday, August 16th, :00PM Course Fee $15.00 ***Required text book Soul Releasement, Assisting Souls into the Light By Rev. Barbara Hardie

4 Pastoral Skills Course Descriptions This three-part course will cover the definition and expected duties and responsibilities of the TNSA ordained minister in pastoral care & counseling, the importance of knowing your limitations, and developing a list for referral counseling. Special concentration will be given to types of pastoral care and counseling with an emphasis on ministering in the healthcare industry. Additionally, pastoral skills will be covered for those who have already transitioned. Spiritualist ministers have an obligation to serve those here in life and those in the spirit world. Rev. Barbara Hardie will present proven methods of spirit release by helping spirits to progress into a higher vibrational level. Services, Ceremonies, & Public Speaking 3 class course 9 credits Sundays, August 30, September 6, September 20, 2015 Course Fee $45.00 ***Required book NSAC Spiritualist Manual available from the NSAC General Offices & Bookstore at In this three part course, students will develop specific services and ceremonies in a Spiritualist tradition such as Sunday services, memorials, funerals, and weddings. An interfaith approach to specific services will also be discussed. They will develop skills in writing presenting an uplifting and meaningful speech or sermon. Additional Requirements: For Minister in Training seeking ordination 1.) A completed and approved Licentiate/Assistant Minister application with corresponding $100 application fee. 2.) Presentation of a current criminal background check to the appropriate TNSA representative. 3.) A completed individual spiritual self-assessment. 4.) A 750+ word report for each required book, double-spaced, 12-point 5.) Documented participation in minister duties such as serving a Spiritualist church podium, attending a development circle, spiritual healings, volunteering at a hospital, nursing home, hospice or palliative care. There is a $15 fee per class. The complete series would be $ Prepayment and committed participation in all sixteen classes is discounted to $ ****************************************** Participants who are not interested in Minister training may enroll in individual courses at $15 per class. Single Class Course $15 Two Class Course $30 Three Class Course $45

5 To register for the complete Minister Training or any individual course and classes, please complete the following and mail or submit with your cash, check or money order made payable to The National Spiritual Alliance or TNSA to: Attn: Rev. John Midura The National Spiritual Alliance P.O. Box 88 Lake Pleasant, MA Name: Date: Address: City, St. Zip Tel. No. Please indicate courses desired by filling in the amount in the appropriate box. Entire Minister Training Program $ SP01 History of Spiritualism $ SP02 Spiritual Healing $ SP03 Meaningful Meditation $ SP04 Mediumship $ DG01 Dealing with Death and Grief $ WR01 Comparative World Religions $ PS01 Types of Pastoral Care & Counseling $ PS02 Spiritual Caregiving $ PS03 Spirit Release $ SC01 Services, Ceremonies, Public Speaking $ Total Amount enclosed with this registration >

6 List of Required Readings 1.) Becoming a Spiritualist by H. Gordon Burroughs 2.) The Afterlife of Billy Fingers by Annie Kagan 3.) The Complete Idiot s Guide to Communicating with Spirit by Rita S. Berkowitz and Deborah S. Romaine. 4.) In the Presence of Grief by Dorothy S. Becvar 5.) Sacred Passage: How to Provide Fearless, Compassionate Care for the Dying by Margaret Caberly 6.) World Religions in America by Jacob Newsner, Editor 7.) World Religions in Brief by Gary E. Antion and Douglas Ruml. 8.) Basic Types of Pastoral Care & Counseling by Howard Clinebell. 9.) Spiritual Caregiving, Healthcare as a Ministry by Verna Benner Carson & Harold G. Koenig 10.) Soul Releasement, Assisting Souls into the Light by Rev. Barbara Hardie 11.) NSAC Spiritualist Manual available from NSAC General Offices & Bookstore at Click on Items within the bookstore.