RW Instructor

If you have led at least two group studies (one on relational wisdom and another on relational peacemaking) and would like to be more proactive in introducing others to relational wisdom and to the gospel itself, we invite you to consider being approved as an RW Instructor.

This training will enhance your ability to lead study groups on a regular basis in your church, ministry or business. This training will also equip you to serve your community by using faith-based and values-based PowerPoint presentations and videos to provide 30 to 60-minute introductory presentations in both Christian and secular venues, including churches, nonprofits, businesses, schools, police and fire departments, city councils and military bases. These brief presentations can help to spread the gospel throughout your community

These presentations typically last from 30 minutes to 60 minutes and are designed to provide a compelling introduction to the benefits of relational wisdom (see Employers Reap a Double Benefit from RW Training) and to inspire individuals to pursue more extensive training online or through a group study.

Ideal outcomes of such presentations include: (1) individuals hearing the gospel and being drawn to Christ; (2) a church deciding to provide RW training to its entire congregation through growth groups or Sunday school; (3) a nonprofit, business, school or other organization deciding to provide their staff access to online or group study training in relational wisdom as a form of professional development (see Training Your Staff  in a Business, School or Other Organization).

Successful completion of RW Instructor training requirements also serves the purpose of demonstrating that an individual has a genuine passion for relational wisdom and the ability to secure multiple teaching opportunities, which are prerequisites for admission to advanced instructor training.

RW Instructor Characteristics

To be effective in this role, an Instructor needs to possess the following characteristics:

1. A love for and solid understanding of God’s Word.
2. A passion for seeing others come to a saving faith through the gospel of Christ.
3. A genuine interest in other people and a demonstrated ability to develop close relationships by living out the principles of relational wisdom.
4. A proven gift for and significant experience in teaching or public speaking.
5. The ability to generate a steady flow of presentation opportunities. This will typically involve a gift for promotion and marketing and/or being in a position that provides natural, ongoing access to potential students, such as a helping, education, training or human relations position in a denomination, network, business, seminary or school.
6. The ability to commit a significant amount of time to learning, promoting and teaching relational wisdom.

This training is available only in the United States until we develop a system to effectively oversee RW Presenters in other countries.

Qualifying as an RW Instructor is a prequisite for applying for training as an Advanced RW Instructor.

Application Requirements

Before applying for our RW Presenter Program, please complete the following steps:

1. Review the detailed RW Presenter training requirements listed below.
2. Watch Serving as an RW Instructor, which provides a detailed overview of the opportunities for promoting relational wisdom, as well as the responsibilities, resources and methods that are involved in this type of ministry.
3. Complete the Discovering Relational Wisdom 3.0 online course and demonstrate a solid mastery of the principles in all 8 lessons by answering at least half of the discussion questions in each lesson, which will be submitted to RW360 for review. (Note: the first time you go through this course, you can do it with a group of friends and use this experience as one of the two study groups you are required to lead to become an RW Presenter.)
4. Complete crossover lessons 4 and 6 in the values-based course, Exploring Relational Wisdom 3.0, answering at least half of the discussion questions in each lesson, which will be submitted to RW360 for review. (Crossover links are provided in the Discovering RW 3.0 course so you do not need to register for the Exploring RW 3.0 course.)
5. Successfully lead at least two small groups through Discovering Relational Wisdom 3.0, using either the online course or DVD/Flash Drive course. Each group should include at least three students.
6. Review RW360’s Statement of Faith, which must be affirmed by all Training Reps and Certified Instructors.
7. Submit an RW Instructor Application form.
8. Compile copies of your Personal Study Notes from the Discovering Relational Wisdom 3.0 course and the crossover Exploring RW lessons into a single document (Word or pdf), and email them to our RW Teamr, the RW Team at mail@rw360.org

Our team will review your application and your Personal Study Notes from the online course. If it appears that you are qualified to become an RW Instructor and we have current openings in the program, he will contact you to schedule a telephone interview to explore your goals and alignment for this training in more detail. If we conclude that you are a good fit for this training, we will notify you of your acceptance into the RW Intructor Program.

Training Requirements

Once you have been formally accepted into this program, you will need to complete these steps to be approved as an RW Instructor:

1. All of the steps listed in the previous Application Requirements section.
2. Pay a registration fee of $195 (see this payment page). We encourage married couples to work together. Therefore we invite spouses to apply to become RW Instructors for half (50%) of the regular fee.
3. Affirm RW360’s Statement of Faith.
4. Obtain three positive personal references, one of which must come from your pastor, and three positive assessments from individuals who have participated in an RW small group study you’ve led (see email templates here).
5. Read The Peacemaker (Sande), Emotional Intelligence 2.0 (Bradberry and Greaves), and assigned RW/EI articles, and write 500-1,000 word summaries for each book and 100-300 word summaries for each article.
6. Complete an online EI evaluation (from Emotional Intelligence 2.0 book).
7. Make at least two introductory RW presentations of at least 30 minutes each, with positive assessments from the participants. RW360 will provide appropriate PowerPoint files and handouts.
8. Record one of these presentations for review by RW360’s RW Teamr.
9. Sign an RW Instructor Independent Contractor Agreement.
10. Although it is not a requirement for initial approval, all RW Instructors will be encouraged to complete new supplemental courses we plan to add to our foundational training series in the months ahead (e.g., Relational Peacemaking, RW Coaching, Using RW for Witnessing and Evangelism).
11. Meet annual continuing education and teaching requirements (see details below).
12. Forward all of the work described above to RW360’s RW Teamr at mail@rw360.org.

Our team will review your completed work. If you have demonstrated a firm grasp of the central principles of relational wisdom and the ability to make a cogent RW presentation, you will be approved as an RW Instructor.

Licensing as Independent Contractors

RW Instructors are licensed to make presentations on relational wisdom using RW360 study guides, PowerPoint presentations, video clips, and promotional materials. RW Presenters will market and teach these materials as independent contractors.

Presentations made by RW Instructors are typically offered as a form of community engagement and evangelistic ministry rather than as a means to generate income. However, RW Instructors are free to accept compensation for the cost of travel and materials, as well as honorariums, if offered.

RW360 may occasionally enlist RW Instructors to to make presentations that we arrange. However, RW Instructors should not expect to receive invitations through RW360, but should instead anticipate that it will be up to them to arrange their own presentations.

RW360 reserves the right to revoke RW Instructor approval at its sole discretion.

Continuing Licensing Requirements

To maintain approval as an RW Instructor , a person will be expected to meet the following additional requirements:

• Provide an annual statement affirming your ongoing fellowship in a local church.
• Maintain a positive Christian testimony and lifestyle that reflects the values and concepts of relational wisdom
• Request evaluations of your presentations through RW360’s Survey Monkey form and receive predominantly positive responses.
• Continue to learn and grow through continuing education and personal application. Continuing education will involve occasional webinars and reading relevant online articles as well as one or two recommended books each year.
• Maintain proficiency by making and reporting at least five presentations each year.

Advanced RW Instructor

Live RW webinars and seminars are taught by our staff and a network of Advanced RW Instructors. Advanced training is open to any individual who has an interest in teaching relational wisdom, but it is especially relevant to church and ministry leaders, counselors, managers, human resources professionals and people whose role in an organization includes training others.

Potential training hosts include churches, ministries and Christian-owned business (using our faith-based resources) as well as secular businesses, nonprofits, military bases, hospitals, government agencies, and police and fire departments (using our values-based resources).

Since demand for the live training is still developing, we encourage potential instructors to look at this as a ministry rather than as a way to make a living. In other words, don’t plan on giving up your “day job.”

Acceptance into this training is limited to a few individuals each year. Selection depends primarily on information provided through the RW Instructor application process, answers to the Personal Study Notes for the online course, presentation assessments, and a personal interview with our RW Teamr.

This training is available only in the United States until we develop a system to effectively oversee Certified Instructors in other countries.

Instructor Privileges

Advanced RW Instructors receive the following privileges:

1. Receive frameable Certificate of Completion.
2. May use RW360 resources (study guide, PowerPoint, videos, etc.) to teach RW as a short presentation, webinar, weekly study or as a live one-day seminar or weekend retreat.
3. Use of RW360 marketing and promotion resources (videos, fliers, posters, etc.).
4. May request materials reimbursement and charge speaking fees or donations (see sample fees at Webinars and Seminars).
5. Wholesale pricing on study guides.
6. Social networking with other instructors through Facebook.
7. Continuing education via webinars.
8. Listed as instructor on RW360 website/map.
9. Authorized to use RW360 name, logo, and marketing materials.

Application for Advanced RW Instructor Program

You must complete all of the training and experience requirements to become an RW Instructor before applying for the Advanced Instructor Program. After completing at least five presentations as an RW Instructor, you may apply for admission for advanced training by submitting an Advanced RW Instructor Application form.

Our RW Teamr will review your application and the assessments you’ve received on your presentations. If it appears that you are qualified for advanced training and we have current openings in the program, we will contact you to schedule a telephone interview to explore your goals and alignment for this level of training in more detail. If we conclude that you are a good fit for this training, we will notify you of your acceptance into the program.

Training Requirements

Once you have been formally accepted for advanced instructor training, you will need to complete these steps to become an Advanced RW Instructor:

1. Pay a registration fee of $395 (see this payment page). We encourage married couples to teach RW as a team. Therefore we invite spouses to apply to become Instructors for half (50%) of the regular fee.
2. Read Feelings and Faith (Brian Borgman), Emotional Intelligence (Goleman) and assigned RW/EI articles, and write 500-1,000 word summaries for each book and 100-300 word summaries of each article.
3. Complete of 2-hour online course in educational methodology (available in 2022).
4. Complete a 2-hour online course on promotion methodology (available 2022).
5. Pass a written open book exam on the theology and foundational principles of relational wisdom.
6. Record a 1-hour teaching session on relational wisdom for review by RW360’s RW Teamr.
7. Participate in a 30 minute Skype conversation with our RW Teamr and answer a series of FAQ questions that are typically asked by students in a live seminar.
8. Teach three RW webinars or lives classes of at least three hours each, averaging at least five students per class, with predominantly positive assessments from students.
9. Sign an Advanced RW Instructor Independent Contractor Agreement.
10. Meet annual continuing education and teaching requirements (see details below).

Licensing as Independent Contractors

Advanced RW Instructors are licensed to teach the Discovering Relational Wisdom Seminar and Exploring Relational Wisdom Seminar (or shortened versions thereof) using RW360 study guides, PowerPoint presentations, video clips, and promotional materials. Advanced Instructors will market and teach these materials as independent contractors.

Advanced Instructors may charge a fee or request donations to cover their investment of time as well as their travel and material costs. RW360 recommends a suggested seminar registration fee of $49 per person, $80 for couples, but instructors are free to set different fees.

RW360 may occasionally enlist Advanced Instructors to teach seminars that we arrange. However, instructors should not expect to receive invitations through RW360, but should instead anticipate that it will be up to them to arrange their own seminars.

Advanced Instructors are expected to donate to RW360 10% of the fees and contributions they receive from events they arrange on their own. If the event came through a referral from RW360 or its website, instructors are expected to donate 20% of the resulting fees or contributions to RW360.

RW360 reserves the right to revoke certification at its sole discretion.

Continuing Licensing Requirements

To maintain a license as a Advanced RW Instructor, a person will be expected to meet the following additional requirements:

• Pay an annual renewal fee of $100.
• Provide an annual statement affirming your ongoing fellowship in a local church.
• Maintain a positive Christian testimony and lifestyle that reflects the values and concepts of relational wisdom
• Request teaching evaluations during teaching event and receive predominantly positive evaluations on your teaching.
• Continue to learn and grow personal application and 10 hours of continuing education per year. Continuing education may involve attending our annual conference or occasional webinars, as well as reading relevant online articles as well as one or two recommended books each year. 
• Maintain proficiency by teaching relational wisdom at least 15 hours each year (e.g., five 3-hour Discovering RW webinars or seminars, three 5-hour RW webinars or seminars, or two ten-week Sunday school classes, or a combination thereof).

Peacemaking, Coaching and Conciliation

RW360 is currently developing a new generation of training and discipleship resources that will integrate the principles of relational wisdom (RW), peacemaking, coaching and Christian conciliation. This training will enable individuals to serve the Lord and other people in two life-changing ways:

RW Coaches provide RW skills coaching (assisting individuals to accelerate the development of key relational skills, thereby developing stronger relationships and “getting upstream of conflict”) and conflict coaching (assisting individuals to apply the principles of relational wisdom and biblical peacemaking to resolve an existing conflict personally and privately). A key goal of this ministry is to strengthen relational skills and reduce the need for prolonged counseling when relationships fail. (see Guiding Christians Through Conflict).

RW Conciliators are available to mediate conflicts between people who are not able to resolve a conflict personally and privately. The conciliation process may involve conflict coaching (advising individuals how to resolve a dispute personally and privately), mediation (meeting with both parties to prmote reconciliation and facilitate a voluntary agreement; see Matt. 18:15-16) or arbitration (a trusted individual resolves a conflict by rendering a binding decision; see 1 Cor. 6:1-7). These processes are described in detail in Guiding People Through Conflict and the Handbook for Christian Conciliation.

Courses and Costs

To make this training easily affordable, we will make it availabale through online courses and web-based practicums (practice role-plays with personal evaluations), eliminating the need to travel for training. Our primary foundational course is already available and four other courses and three online practicums are in the pilot testing stage. These courses include:

Basic Online Courses (16 hours)

• Discovering Relational Wisdom 3.0: Going Beyond Emotional Intelligence
• Relational Peacemaking: Turning Conflict into an Opportunity (Scheduled for release in January  of 2022)

Advanced Online Courses (16 hours)

• RW Skills Coaching
• Conflict Coaching
• Mediation/Conciliation

Web-Based Practicums (18 hours)

• RW Skills Coaching
• Conflict Coaching
• Mediation/Conciliation

The final costs for this training have not been firmly established, but at this time we estimate that training costs will be $595 for an RW Coach and $1,290 for an RW Conciliator.

The new coaching courses and practicums are scheduled for release during the first half of 2022. The new conciliation courses and practicums are scheduled for release during the second half of 2022.

Peace Sower Teams™

Our new integrated training resources are being specifically designed for use by churches, ministries, businesses, schools, military bases and other organizations that wish to develop in-house Peace Sower Teams™ that include RW instructors, coaches and conciliators who equip and assist others to live out the gospel by applying the principles of relational wisdom and biblical peacemaking in their daily lives. To learn how you could promote and participate in such a ministry, see Peace Sower Teams.

Advanced Training

Individuals who demonstrate substantial skill and experience as instrucotrs, coaches or conciliators may apply for advanced (professional) training that will involve additional courses on advanced skills and issues, best practices, written exams and practical experience. In addition to enhancing essential skills, advanced training will enable individuals to provide training, coaching and conciliation services on a professional (fee based) basis.

Advanced Training Grandfathering

Individuals who have completed conflict coaching or mediation training through other conciliation ministries may apply for exemption from some segments of RW360’s advanced training program. You may request a transfer of credit by completing this form. 

Begin Studying and Teaching Today!

Discovering Relational Wisdom 3.0 and The Peacemaker are prerequisites for all of our advanced training programs, so you can begin your training today. You may also deepen your knowledge of and practical experience with relational wisdom and begin moving toward approval as an RW Instructor by moderating a small group study and exploring other ways to promote and practice RW and peacemaking in your sphere of influence.