These are some of our beliefs and perceptions about key areas of a man's life that need to be understood, owned, matured and often healed. We believe "it is usually relationships that wound, and always relationships that heal." The weekend offers a most profound crucible in which to candidly examine crucial areas of your life. What you find and choose to work on will have a lasting effect on your life, and those lives you touch, if you will actively use the time, the men and the opportunity. It is our belief that what happens on our weekends, through the incredible shared and vulnerable experiences of each man, and the generous giving of those who staff with us, only and ultimately happens because of the grace, mercy and empowerment of God's presence. We believe everyone on the weekend are vessels of His healing, and that it brings joy to God to see His people overcome their brokenness.

Each of the following paragraphs is only intended to be a catalyst, a brief overview of some of the ways to name and understand each "window" to the masculine soul. Think deeply about each area of your life. Where are you lacking, fearful or avoidant? What wounds exist that limit your freedom to embrace any of these expressions of your self? Where are you strong? What "windows" do you express freely and well, that you can model for other men?

WARRIORS. What is true courage? Sometimes it means drawing a line in the sand that separates you from another man. There are things we must stand for, even die for. It takes great wisdom. God calls us to be humble and meek, but not weak. There is a warrior in each of us essential to our survival as individuals, as husbands, as fathers. Where do you feel impotent? When do you "give up" or feel intimidated? Where do you overdo, leverage your Warrior, and "power up" to compensate for some other feeling of fear or inadequacy?

LOVERS. Full men are men who live with passion . . . lovers of life, and of the One who has given it; lovers of their wives, their children, their friends; tender, sensitive, and compassionate; able to see inside one's soul; able to touch, and be touched. This is not how most men grow up. We must heal. Are you able to embrace this tender, passionate self and share it with others? Are you able to freely share deep, intimate feelings? What do you do with your sexual and sensual feelings? How do you treat women? Men? What about pornography? When you look at your own body, what do you see and how do you feel?

SONS. We are sons of God and sons of men. Most men have been loved and wounded by their earthly fathers and mothers. They carry their father's pain especially, as well as their own. Sons must separate from their parents, and parents let go of their sons. Inside we find love, anger, fear and grief. Because of this, we also have difficulty seeing our Heavenly Father for who He is. Do you experience the intimacy with God that you want? Is He close, or distant? Do you know how you were wounded by your mother or father? Do you know of their pain? How do these things limit you? What life scripts might you be following that you need to think through for yourself? How does your experience of mom and dad affect your relationship with God? Do you need to eventually forgive? Are there others you wish forgiveness from?

BROTHERS. Men need other men. One of the most powerful elements of the weekend will be learning from and supporting one another. We need to be in relationship with other men in our everyday lives. To be mentored, and to be a mentor. As brothers, we must learn to be friends and advocates, not adversaries. How do you handle intimacy and vulnerability with other men? What about jealousy and competition? Are you able to ask for help? Can you admit to men things you don't do well, feel inadequate about or have failed in?

 

Over the past 11 years The Center has developed, and continues to refine, the use of residential weekend group therapy experiences for both men and women.

These highly effective weekends are not designed to take the place of ongoing therapy, but rather to support and accelerate it. Often work can get done that will move change ahead by months. Frequently this structure also promotes work that could not be done in almost any other context. This is due in part to setting aside a whole weekend just for you with no other responsibilities, distractions or familiar escapes. Also the level of intentionality and commitment of other participants and leaders, and the design of each weekend, create a safe and strong "container" for the entire group.

Men and women from every walk of life have attended our weekends. For some, it is a powerful introduction to the unique healing environment of group therapy and is often a catalyst for joining one of our weekly groups. For others already in counseling it compliments and augments their journey.

For further information about our Men's weekend, please call Jim or John. They will be glad to answer your questions and help you evaluate your readiness and interest.

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