Biblical Counseling and Life Transitions Course Description:

The effective Messianic Jewish leader, whether professional or volunteer, must have skills in spiritual guidance and caregiving, as well as basic skills in providing short-term pastoral counseling for congregants during times of crisis. This course equips the student to offer such counseling. Further, it will help leaders provide effective support and resources to congregants as they prepare for and experience the changes and challenges of life. The course is built on the rhythm of the Jewish life-cycle and draws on sources that validate and enhance a Messianic Jewish identity. The Jewish life- cycle is based on the various stages of life (Birth, circumcision, Bar/Batmitzvah, marriage, death.) The course addresses related issues such as mental illness, addiction, and abusive relationships with a specific focus on when and how to refer congregants to professional help.
This course is open to everyone, regardless of whether you are a leader or not.

About the instructor:
Rabbi Russell Resnik, MA, LPCC

Russ Resnik is a veteran rabbi, teacher, counselor, and writer, currently serving as Rabbinic Counsel of the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (UMJC).
In this role, Russ speaks regularly within the UMJC community, particularly in areas of pastoral care and congregational life; provides consultation and counseling services; and functions as a rabbi to rabbis within the community. He has taught and lectured on similar topics as well as biblical studies throughout the USA and in Israel, Canada, Mexico, South America, South Africa, and Russia.
Russ was ordained through the UMJC after completing their Yeshiva program in 1990, and served as UMJC executive director from 1999 to 2016. He holds a Master’s degree in counseling from the University of New Mexico and is a Nationally Certified Counselor, as well as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in New Mexico, where Russ maintains a private practice working with men and couples.
As a writer, Russ contributes regularly to Messianic publications and websites and is the author of Gateways to Torah, Creation to Completion: A Guide to Life’s Journey from the Five Books of Moses, Divine Reversal: The Transforming Ethics of Jesus, and A Life of Favor: A Family Therapist Examines the Story of Joseph and His Brothers.
Russ and his wife Jane have four children and seven grandchildren, and live in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he leads Adonai Ro’i chavurah.

Course Location:
Beth Shechinah Messianic Congregation
2635 – 32 Street SW
Calgary, Alberta T3E 2R8