THE GAP

(G: Grace – A: Acceptance – P: Process)

A Grace Based Recovery Group program (GAP) supports individuals in particularly difficult situations or seasons of life in a safe environment, that enhances the congregation's connectedness through:

Organization: Provide a framework for a grace – based recovery group program promoting peer support in an emotionally safe environment.

Training: Provide a licensed and certified CCT therapist to train recovery group leaders.

Oversight: Provide a licensed and certified CCT therapist to oversee recovery group meetings.

Training: Provide training of small group leaders regarding effective group facilitation for any type of group integrated into your church. The training also encompasses individual training to those desiring to perform one-on-one discipleship.

Support:  Provide confidential support for specific issues that arise from group or individual sessions as well as refer members to licensed therapists as necessary.

Oversight: Provide feedback loops and evaluation processes for group and individual facilitators and modify training accordingly.

CCT

Christian Convergence Therapy (CCT) provides counseling services and discipleship training by blending cutting-edge psychology and timeless orthodox theology. Built on a foundation that individuals’ identities are in Christ, CCT provides state licensed therapists, certified in CCT, who are equipped to provide counseling focused on true transformation through Spirit led self-discovery rather than the bandage of behaviorism or other forms of secular therapy. CCT connects the belief system of the client to God’s Truth that individuals’ identities are in Christ, not in the world, which promotes healthy thinking, emotions, and actions powered by the revelation of the Holy Spirit, in other words, sanctification.

A Different Approach

Psychology: The Science of Cognitive Therapy

Built On

Theology: Christ as Your Identity… the "true self"

Within An

Environment: Safe, Encouraging, Revelation

Principles

1.Transformation occurs by the renewing of your mind    ~Romans 12:2

2.The Truth sets you free  ~John 8:32

3.God is Truth and the Truth (God) transforms you — not your thinking!

4.The goal of Convergence Therapy is not to solve the presenting behavior, rather help the client discover the Truth that will transform thoughts, emotions & actions.

The therapist role is to create a safe environment of discovery for the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s Truth

ON-SITE LICENSED THERAPISTS

Human Resources: Employ licensed and CCT certified therapists including all human resource and payroll related services, including urgent care insurance coverage.

Credentialing: Insure state licensing of therapists and certification in CCT.

Supervision: Maintain quality assurance that exceeds the requirements of clinical supervision of CCT therapists by licensed and certified psychologists.

Quality Assurance:  Require client evaluations of the CCT therapist at the end of each therapy session providing proper feedback loops necessary to continual improvement.

Confidentiality: Provide specific information regarding clients with a signed release form when appropriate. All other aggregated data remains confidential.

Angela Ford

angie@livestransforming.com

Angela earned a master’s degree in Counseling from Gonzaga University and a post master’s degree in Marriage and Family from Indiana Wesleyan University. She is a member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapist. Angela is also a registered Domestic Relations Mediator in Indiana and a highly credentialed coach with over 20 years of experience in working with individuals and organizations. Angela’s therapeutic focus utilizes Christian Convergence Therapy with individuals, couples, and families. Additionally, she also offers mediation and coaching services from a Christian worldview. Angela is married to her charming husband, Santoy, and is a mother of four children, ages 2 to 15.

Angela has experience treating individuals, couples, families, children, and adolescents in the following settings:

• Private practice
• Community clinic
• Home-based services
• Residential homes

Angela has provided therapeutic services in the following areas:

• Relationship issues
• Parenting issues
• Life stages/transitions
• Crisis Intervention
• Stress Management
• Anger Management
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Grief/loss

Angela has provided coaching services in the following areas:

• Personal growth/development
• Life Strategies
• Weight Management
• Wellness

Angela has provided mediation services in the following areas:

• Pre-filing
• Child custody/visitation
• Family crisis/disputes

Lisa D. Pay, LCSW, ACSW, MSW, BASW
ldpay@livestransforming.com

Lisa is a licensed clinical social worker with 26 years of professional experience including her current position of 12 years as a Professor of Social Work at Anderson University. Lisa directed the Counseling Center at the University for 10 years prior to teaching.  Lisa has implemented several Christ based 12 step recovery programs for churches and organizations, such as Celebrate Recovery.  She has developed a workshop series for youth that is based on Christian Identity and Worth as understood in the Convergence Model of the Lives Transforming Ministry.  She is a sought after speaker for church, college, counseling seminars and youth groups.  She teaches the college course Thought Life and Spiritual Growth that has spawned a college based recovery program based on the Cognitive Theory and Judeo-Christian Principles found in the Freedom Series with Derek Wilder and Dr. David Soper.  She is in private practice with AT THE WELL in Fishers, Indiana.

Life Coaching with Convergence Therapy:

Lisa is a licensed clinical social worker with 26 years of experience in a variety of settings including:

• domestic violence shelters
• hospitals (inpatient psychiatric and state hospitals)
• community mental health centers
• community and church based recovery programs
• university counseling centers
• day treatment programs
• prisons
• ect.

Lisa has experience with a wide range of issues including:

• Depression
• Anxiety (including Generalized Anxiety, Simple Phobias / Agoraphobia, Panic Disorder, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)
• Adolescent / Teen Issues
• Relationship Problems (Marriage Relationships, Interpersonal Issues, Conflict Resolution, Family Issues, etc.)
• Stress and Crisis Management
• Spiritual Formation and Discipleship
• Separation & Divorce
• Parenting
• Problem-Solving
• Assertiveness Training
• Sexual Abuse
• Addictions
• Sleep Disturbance
• Grief and Loss
• Developmental challenges

Lisa has presented workshops on several topics including:

• Identity and Worth in a Christ Centered Model
• Relationship Purity
• Cognitive Theory and Judea-Christian Principles–Convergence Model
• Human Sexuality
• Thought Life and Spiritual Growth
• Social Psychology
• Human Behavior and The Social Environment

Convergence Therapy focuses on spiritual development by utilizing cognitive theory and spiritual principles to inform one’s interpersonal and professional growth. The  emphasis is on forming our identity apart from outside influences such as performance, opinion of others, entitlement, and past and future circumstances.  Coaching will focus on facilitating self-discovery for personal transformation.

Cognitive restructuring may be useful in facilitating change in an individual’s functioning, but real change requires spiritual transformation. Coaching will present a convergence model of cognitive precepts and Judeo-Christian spiritual principles that can be utilized in such transformation. A theoretical context will be provided and experiential techniques will be modeled for application.

This particular coaching is of value in preparing persons to work in the areas of social work, family science, sociology, theology, Christian Ministries, youth leadership/ development, health related fields, psychology, and business management. It provides information for personal introspection, healthy decision making, and training in assisting individuals in this important area of life.

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    Barclay College’s Brandywine Community Church campus is beginning its third year. Ten students have already achieved their Christian Ministry Leadership Certificate, and all 10 are nearing the completion of the bachelor’s degree, with one completion. “We are encouraged to see the accomplishment of our students,” said Gary Wright, the Barclay College site manager. “Most have demanding jobs, families and already-existing leadership responsibilities. Therefore, to participate in an accelerated degree program and achieve so much in just two years is impressive, commendable and a credit to their willingness to better themselves. We are proud of them.” The classes meet from 8 a.m. to noon each Saturday morning at the Brandywine Church campus. The classes are open to all. Tuition is $250 per credit hour, $150 per credit hour if audited. Financial aid is available. Please contact Gary Wright at 317-513-9042 or enroll at www.barclaycollege.edu (select “Admissions,” then “Advantage Degree Completion”). Enrollment is free.

HISTORY OF CONFESSION

How does the history of confession relate to periods of persecution and integrate into the early church's thought about the doctrines of salvation and the church? That is, if a baptized believer succumbed to persecution and gave up his/her faith, did the church believe salvation was lost as a result? Also, could the church include Christians who denied their faith?

 According to Ferguson, the reign of Roman Emperor Decius (249-251) increased the persecution of Christians significantly. The Emperor issued an empire wide edict requiring individuals to make sacrifices to pagan gods. Due to recent tranquility in the region, the commitment of many Christians had waned, accordingly, a significant number of believers lapsed by abiding by the Emperor’s decree or obtaining a certificate of compliance.[1] The persecution led to two church schisms. One schism, led by Felicissimus, championed the view of the confessors who permitted instantaneous reconciliation of the lapsi. The second schism was led by Novatian who denied any possibility of reconciliation for those who had lapsed.[2] Alternatively, a synod of bishops in 251 at Carthage approved the viewpoint of a relatively new convert and church leader, Bishop Cyprian of Carthage.[3] Cyprian confronted the laxism of Felicissimus and the rigorism of Novatian by advocating a mediating position that neither supported immediate restoration nor irreversible reconciliation.[4]

Cyprian’s solution was based on a view that the lapsed had denied Christ, thus, they caused Christ to deny them salvation, and he supported this claim by quoting God speaking in Exodus saying, “he that sacrifices unto any gods, save unto the Lord only, shall be destroyed.”[5] Cyprian furthers his opposition against the lapsi’s actions by rhetorically asking, “Did He not before ordain for those who deny Him eternal punishments,” and continues the indictment by saying to them, “you have immolated your salvation, your hope; there you have burnt up your faith in those deadly fires.”[6] Additionally, Cyprian provided anecdotal evidence in an attempt to prove the loss of salvation through various experiential references including a lapsed individual vomiting after taking communion to prove the Eucharist does not ameliorate the ignoble, instead, the denial caused the Lord to withdraw.[7] Broadening his application, Cyprian suggests those who attempted to obtain certificates will not elude the judgment of God either and neither will those who thought about the possibility of denial by rhetorically asking, “Does he think that he is a Christian, who is either ashamed or afraid to be a Christian?”[8] Finally, Cyprian relents by suggesting that proper prayer, true contrition, and persistent works of penance will once again bring salvation by referencing Isaiah’s claim that, “when you turn and lament, then shall you be saved.”[9]

           Cyprian extended his salvific logic by practically applying it to a proposed method of reconciliation to the church. In summary, those who committed the sacrificial offense could only be placed back into communion at the time of death, those who procured certificates by methods other than sacrifice were required to be disciplined and also wait a period of time, and those who thought denial was a possibility were required to privately confess to the clergy.[10] Cyprian’s policy established a church discipline policy that, similar to his view of restoring salvation, required public confession, “performance of works of penance,” and the “laying on of the hands of the bishop and clergy” and, in effect, placed individuals and even martyrs under the jurisdiction of the bishop.[11]