The NACC Loss and Grief Training Certification Program

 

Are you a pastor, clergy member, church member, counselor, therapist, social worker, or other person that wants more effective tools for helping people through loss? Are you or someone important to you suffering from a loss? The NACC Loss and Grief Training Certification Program is for you!

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The class is led by Ray Johnson, the Founder & Director of The Ezekiel Group Ministry.  He has over 40 years of pastoral care experience--serving as a full-time pastor, fire chaplain, and hospice chaplain.  He is a NACC Certified Christian Grief Counselor and author. He currently leads grief classes, provides individual grief counseling and trains leaders in grief care.  His grief classes have been attended by over 450 individuals.  Ray has a heart for those who are hurting and is well respected in his community for his compassionate care.

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The NACC Loss and Grief Training Certification Program is designed to help others move beyond death, divorce and other losses including relationships, health, career, business, faith and other losses we are likely to encounter in life.

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As a person goes through this program, they will be able to identify what the Bible has to say about handling the losses of life. This study provides guidance in the use of Scripture to help the grieving, and teaches one to be sensitive to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. It offers biblical coping methods for those facing loss and comfort to those who have faced loss.

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​MODULES INCLUDE:

 

Understanding Grief Through a Biblical Lens

• The Nature of Grief and Loss

• How the Bible Addresses Suffering

• The Role of Faith in Grief

Biblical Principles for Offering Comfort

• “Mourn with Those Who Mourn” (Romans 12:15)

• The Ministry of Presence: Being There for the Hurting

• Reflecting Christ’s Compassion

Listening with Love and Compassion

• The Power of Active Listening

• Empathy in Action: How to Show You Care

• Learning When to Speak and When to Be Silent (Job’s Friends)

Praying with and for the Grieving

• The Role of Prayer in Healing

• How to Pray with Someone Who Is Hurting

• Biblical Prayers for Comfort and Peace

Sharing Scripture for Comfort and Healing

• Key Bible Verses for Grief and Loss

• How to Apply Scripture to Different Stages of Grief

• Leading with Hope: God’s Promises for Healing

Encouraging Faith in Times of Suffering

• Reaffirming God’s Love and Sovereignty

• Addressing Doubt and Spiritual Questions in Grief

• Helping Others Trust God’s Plan (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Helping the Grieving Find Purpose and Meaning

• Understanding God’s Purpose in Pain (Romans 8:28)

• Encouraging Service and Ministry After Loss

• Walking Through Grief with a Kingdom Perspective

Supporting Practical Needs During Grief

• Meeting Physical and Emotional Needs

• Practical Ways to Serve Those Who Are Grieving

• The Importance of Community in the Healing Process

Counseling the Grieving with Grace and Wisdom

• Basic Counseling Techniques for Pastoral Care

• Recognizing When to Refer to Professional Help

• Providing Long-Term Support

The Healing Journey: Helping Others Move Forward

• Encouraging Healthy Coping Mechanisms

• Moving from Mourning to Joy: A Biblical Perspective

• How to Gently Encourage the Grieving Toward Hope and New Life

Biblical Models of Comfort and Care

• Lessons from Jesus: Compassion in Action

• Paul’s Pastoral Care in Times of Suffering

• Biblical Examples of Encouraging the Grieving

Counseling Different Types of Grief

• Grieving the Loss of Loved Ones (to include spouse, adult child, young child, parent, sibling, & close friend)

• Supporting Those Facing Illness and Chronic Pain

• Grief from Divorce, Job Loss, and Other Major Life Transitions

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Registration Fee: $50.00

Tuition Cost: $600.00

Payment plan: $650 paid in full, or $350 to start class and then $300 by week 5

​Registration and tuition payments are non-refundable.

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Program Total: 12 credit hours

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Required Text:

Effective Grief Counseling: A Guide to Counseling and Supporting the Grieving by Dr. Tony V. Lewis

Finding Peace in the Pain by Dr. Tony V. Lewis.

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What Can I Do With This Certification? Grief counselors practice in many varied settings today. The services of grief counselors are in much demand throughout our country and throughout the world. This was made evident during recent past traumatic national disasters and events which have occurred, and in which there had been identified a serious lack of grief counseling services. Grief counselors today work for and/or practice in the following areas; hospices, funeral homes, acute care and long-term care facilities, for private churches, for public and private social service agencies, in private practices, as grief educators, and in other similar types of practice settings. Many grief counselors also work as volunteers for these types of agencies. Grief counselors also are in demand as the funeral services industry continues to transform itself in offering After-Care programs. Many grief counselors also actively participate in community grief support groups.

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NACC Certification is NOT to be confused with state licensing. Most states have laws governing the practice of general counseling. These laws vary from state to state.

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The purpose of state regulatory laws is to protect the public and ensure professionalism within the counseling profession. NACC strives to attain the same goals, and more. As Christians we know that counseling with the Word of God is the only answer for a dying world, yet at the same time, we must purpose to operate within the legal guidelines set forth by state regulations.

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The state recognizes that counseling is one of the responsibilities of the local church. For this reason, the state does not interfere with the ministry of counseling, as long as counseling is provided under the following conditions:

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1. That the counseling service is provided through a legally organized/operated local church or a nationally recognized denomination.

2. That the counselor is trained and commissioned by the legally recognized organization.

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Please note that NACC does not “endorse” counselors who have completed one of our certificate programs. A significant part of any professional certification process is supervised counseling to observe if a student is appropriately applying what has been learned, along with periodic recertification requirements. Certification from our organization, represents that the student has completed the required coursework within that certificate program.

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NACC has partnered with Christian Bible Institute & Seminary to offer degree programs and continuing professional education for its members.