Disaster Relief funded Lifeline training at Redlands is no accident 

by Michael Mann, Communications Team

In a perfect example of different parts of the Church coming together as ‘one church’, 12 leaders from Redlands Uniting Church gathered on Wednesday 18 February to complete ‘Accidental Counsellor’ training delivered by Lifeline. The training strengthens the church’s ability to support people in the community experiencing trauma. Funding for the training was provided through the Moderator’s Disaster Relief Fund.  

Reverend David Ferguson, lead minister at Redlands Uniting Church, said the timing of the training was particularly important. Coming roughly a year after Cyclone Alfred, he knows first-hand that trauma often resurfaces when similar weather patterns or conditions return. 

“From my experience in disaster recovery,” David said, “this is a time when a lot of the trauma comes back. We wanted to make sure our people were equipped to respond well.” 

The training brought together leaders involved in both internal and external pastoral and community‑facing ministries, with the aim of improving their confidence, sensitivity and skills when encountering people in distress.  

 “During the cyclone last year, we were advised that funding was available,” he said. “There were a couple of hiccups along the way, but once critical incidents started emerging in our area, the application was processed very speedily.” 

 Rev Ferguson had previously completed the Accidental Counsellor training while serving in Kingaroy, following a prolonged period of drought and subsequent flooding. He described the training as highly valuable, particularly in helping participants understand appropriate boundaries. 

 “It’s not about our people trying to save the world — that’s Jesus’ job,” he said. “It’s about breaking down the stigma around conversations with people who are experiencing trauma, having the confidence to enter that space, and knowing how to look after ourselves while doing it.” 

The training also emphasises the importance of referral — recognising when professional support is needed and helping people connect with the right services, rather than taking on that responsibility alone. 

 Delivered by Lifeline, Accidental Counsellor is designed for people who regularly encounter others in their daily lives. “The training is aimed at serving the people you just run into. It's aimed at people who have contact with people in their daily lives. One of the things I just talk about is the target audience is a hairdresser, someone who talks to lots of people and has their eyes on ongoing connections.” 

 “In the church, we’re fortunate to have many points of contact with people in the community,” Rev Ferguson said. “If this training helps us offer enhanced care, then our world becomes a little bit better. That’s Kingdom work for me.”