Acorn Academy

An opportunity to be ministered to, while also learning about Christian healing. 

Ministry and insight into the healing of life loss's and bereavement, with an opportunity for prayer ministry (optional).  We will meet together to share our common journey, through searching out the pathway God has made for us as we encounter grief and loss. He is after all 'the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort (2 Cor 1:3) and he knows they journey we take 

In healing and the healing ministry, the person and work of the Holy Spirit in us an through us is fundamental, so in this event we will look at who he is, what he brings and how he works.  

The key question is not "Do you have the Holy Spirit?" but “Does the Holy Spirit have you?”

It’s a journey of a lifetime - come take a step forward with us.

Life, people, and circumstance can wound us and leave us broken, or bitter or bereft of hope and so removing the ‘thorns’ that have wounded us, is key to finding health on the inside.

In a safe and sacred space, we can allow God’s healing grace to touch our hurtful memories and damaged emotions, and find a freer path for our feet.

Ps 36:5 encourages us with the words...'Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies...'

 PRAYER IS SIMPLE! RIGHT?

 What is God thinking when you pray? What does God do about conflicting prayer requests? And this one - when I pray out loud who am I really talking to? 

 We are told that prayer is a natural thing for the Christian, just like breathing; and yes it is. But just like breathing, there is a lot going on in the process. I am no medic, but I imagine for a thoracic surgeon the breathing process looks a whole lot different than it does to me - writing this - there is more to the process than meets the eye. 

Through input and discussion let’s look at something that is as easy as breathing. 

In his wisdom God made us in his image. It meant that we would have the capacity to think, feel, act and will like God himself could.

Part of this was that our minds would serve as agents of his kingdom and his grace.

No wonder then the mind is an intense battleground over which many an internal conflict rages. So how do we find health for our minds, how do find healing when things are out of joint and how do we live with the mind of Christ within us, because Mind Matters: to God

 We will explore the phrase Do not be anxious that comes throughout the Bible and specifically from the lips of Jesus. It is an invitation to find a secure place in God in times that are less than easy and in moments where we feel vulnerable.

So do come and join us in opening up a subject that may well save your sanity and help you find a rock 'in a hard place'. 

 This event will provide you with a clear conceptual framework for the development and practice of a competent and compassionate prayer ministry in a church or community setting. It examines the biblical foundations and establishes a clear understanding of personal and ministry boundaries by assessing realistic ministry scenarios.

You will: 

• Explore the theology of prayer ministry: the nature of God, prayer, faith, and the Kingdom of God. 
• Relate the gifts of the Holy Spirit to practical ministry settings 
• Learn the importance of building a prayer ministry that is respectful, inclusive, holistic and team based. 
• Consider guidelines covering safety, relationships, confidentiality, respect and responsibility. 
• Discuss ministry scenarios and identify relevant areas for prayer intervention. 
• Minister in prayer using the Acorn prayer pattern: interview, prayer, assessment and follow up.

 Many Christians regard conflict as intrinsically unspiritual and to be avoided at all costs – with the result we either hide from it or handle it badly. This event will explore the process by which individuals and church communities can understand what is happening in times of conflict, directing them to the appropriate, biblical mechanisms of handling ‘difference’ before it becomes destructive. You will be provided with a biblical and theoretical framework for engaging with conflict and suggested approaches to transform the relationships involved. 

 Are you interested in growing a healing ministry that is compassionate and credible, but don’t know where to start?

This training will help you think through some of the issues involved. It will include group work and will give participants the opportunity to pray for healing in others.

During the course we will:

• Consider the nature of health and think about what it means to pray for healing in the name of Jesus.
• Identify the foundations of Christian healing.
• Identify some barriers to healing.
• Discuss the qualities you might look for in people as you grow your ministry team.

This event complements our Prayer Ministry Training course and can be followed up by attending our monthly School of Healing events or by taking a group through our Growing a Healing Ministry resource, which covers this topic in more depth.

Taking a more relaxed approach to our daytime events, the Acorn Lounge provides a safe and comfortable context for ministry and training. Taking into account that you may be needing to unwind from a busy day, we keep the training focused, interactive, and shorter than our daytime events. 

Downloadable resource for Healing Hubs and groups