Pam Ping, EMI Global Training Manager

Have you wondered why some trainings stay with you and change you -- and others seem to evaporate rather quickly?

Research indicates that people tend to retain only the first 5 minutes and last 5 minutes of a lecture.  That?s too much effort for too little impact.

EMI's teaching model is influenced by Paul's admonition in Philippians 4:9 "Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me -- put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

EMI believes that the goal of effective teaching is to lead someone into transformation.  The author of that change must be the Lord Himself.   Otherwise, what we teach could be experienced in a secular classroom.

Through 27 years of designing training, EMI has learned to implement specific key elements into every teaching.

First, in addition to acquiring new information, people need to experience the skill being taught and to receive immediate feedback as they practice. The opportunity in every skill class to "try on" new skills and to receive feedback, from other group members as well as a trained and experienced facilitator, distinguishes EMI training from most others.  Doesn't it make sense to encourage someone who's "getting it" and to correct what could become a bad habit before it has a chance to take root?

Second, people need a mental picture to take with them of what a new skill looks like.  EMI's classes include modeling through role plays, video clips, and team use of the skills during the class. This takes a teaching out of the theoretical into the real world.  

Third, and most important, we invite the Holy Spirit to give new insight and to bring to mind situations that students can practice within small groups.  Real situations in practice bring real insights and renewed thinking.  This also comes through our tradition of a "Listening to God" time in class.

It's amazing to see how the Lord ministers healing and life change in one workshop.  And as people experience our intentional progression of skill development in a series of relationship skill courses, deeper changes happen.  And don't you know, God often brings situations after a workshop that give opportunity to practice, practice, practice what He's challenging us to learn.

I've often joked with our staff that EMI needs to put warning labels on our class notes: "Warning:  You'll never be the same!" and "God will give you opportunities to use what you are learning!?"

After all, isn't that what we're looking for?