Prevent Burnout & Grow in Christ
A Program for the Passionate (and busy) Christian Givers & Servant Leaders
with Dr. Ioana Popa
Growing in Christ Journey (GCJ) Program
Regeneration, Growth & Soul Care. Prevent burnout and grow in Christ with science, psychology and our Christian Faith from the comfort of your home!
This program supports your holistic regeneration (body, mind, heart and soul) and psychological and spiritual growth toward being with God every moment, so that you can 'live in the world but not of the world' and continue to serve others in Christ with joy, energy, patience and peace of mind, no matter how busy and without the fear of burning out!
-
Are you passionate about Christ, but find yourself tired or exhausted at the end of most working days?
-
Do you love to lead, teach, heal, or serve others in many capacities (work, family, church) but feel bombarded by the flow of human need and suffering, which seems unending?
-
Do you love to pray, but often your mind is too busy or worried about the people you serve, so you are not as effective in praying and experiencing union with God as you wish?
-
Do you go through cycles of finding peace, followed by days where you have to go non-stop, therefore, your regeneration & self-care flow is often interrupted?
- Although there is nothing more that you love than being with God every moment, do you find yourself feeling disconnected at times from Him?
-
Since it is difficult to keep a joyful daily prayerful rhythm due to your circumstances, do you start doubting yourself, and feel that 'maybe my faith in God is not strong enough'?
-
Do you feel at times so depleted and exhausted, to only dream of your next vacation or retreat? And then, after vacation, are you 'greeted' back at work by hundreds of emails/messages, pulling you back into stress mode?
-
Although you love your work, do you get nagging 'Sunday Evening Blues'?
-
Do people around you not understand why you want to give in Christ so much, or just take advantage of your big heart?
-
Do you look peaceful, happy and resourceful to others, but inside you feel running on empty and unhappy with your spiritual progress?
- Are you looking for support and resources, but find EITHER Spiritual Resources OR Psychological Secular ones, but not BOTH?
This and more are part of what I call the Dilemmas of the Passionate (but tired and busy) Christian!
This is a God sent. I've never seen anything like it. I wish all Christians would know about this (program). It offers pillars to support all our dimensions: Body, Mind, Heart, and Soul, as humans and caretakers, so we can renew ourselves, and then return, forged and restored, to caring for others.
- Program Participant
Here are the 6 COMMON DILEMMAS
that Prevent many Christians from Regenerating Effectively
AND Serving Others with Ongoing Joy, Energy, Patience & Peace Of Mind
DILEMMA # 1
“I need to just ask God to help me and pray, but when I pray, it is difficult to focus. My mind is busy, so I cannot even connect with God ”
Of course we want to rely on God and prayer at all times, and we know that God is hearing and listening to all our prayers. But we also need to cooperate and do our share. Otherwise, if that would be 100% true – then there would be no Christians stressed, burned out, sad, or lonely.
Prayer is very helpful in preventing burnout but we also need to have a 'Renewal Blueprint' to take the necessary steps to regenerate body, mind, heart and soul so that we can allow more of God into our lives.
Inside of the Growing in Christ Journey (GCJ) Program, you have many exercises that will guide you through an effective regeneration process and psychological and spiritual growth, so that you can effectively prepare yourself and connect with God in prayer, every day and every moment.
DILEMMA # 2
“I easily get distracted by my thoughts and emotions while I am praying, and at times I feel that maybe my faith in God is not as strong.”
You are not alone! Getting distracted is natural – and there are ways we can use psychological methodologies so that we can understand our core needs and “befriend” and “tame” our emotions, thoughts and body sensations.
In this program, you will have plenty of opportunities to learn about your core needs at the heart (emotions) level, mind (thoughts) level and your body level, so that you can take care of your needs – without feeling that you have to indulge yourself.
As Christ said ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’ (Matthew 22:37-39).
This way you can practice how to love yourself in a healthy way – that allows you to then love your neighbor even more!
DILEMMA # 3
“I have to say YES to all requests and needs of others presented to me during the day, otherwise I am selfish.”
It is amazing to help others, but the reality is that we are finite human beings with limited time and resources, therefore we cannot really help all beings in this world. At the same time, if others do not discover their own resourcefulness, it can lead to co-dependency. A better alternative is inter-dependency.
The reality is that by saying YES to something — we always say NO to something else. For example – we might help more people at work, but then we have to cut short our time with our family at the end of the day.
Discerning when to say 'Yes' or 'No' is like a muscle – it needs practice. In the Growing in Christ Journey (GCJ) program, you will have a chance to continue to grow, lean into God and discern your priorities in Christ, so that you’ll know with more and more clarity when to say YES and when to say NO.
DILEMMA # 4
“I am so busy and cannot regenerate today, so I will wait for my weekend, vacation or a retreat to a monastery.”
It is natural to feel this way, but we don’t need to wait until the weekend, vacation or to visit monasteries. There is nothing wrong with taking time off - going to a nice vacation or retreat to a monastery, but when we only do that to regenerate, we send a message inside of us that regeneration happens ONLY in certain situations and we lose precious time in between.
God is available to us and is lovingly waiting for us every second! You can access regeneration every moment of your life, because true regeneration happens in the intimate relationship between God and you, in your inner core.
In the GCJ Program, you will practice how to lean into your core awareness and inner silence, so that you can regenerate every moment as you go about your day. You will also have the chance to discover unexpected moments of regeneration.
DILEMMA # 5
“I have to finish all my work first before I can relax and renew.”
Yes, once our work is completed, it is nice to relax and renew. Simultaneously, if we are busy leading, supporting and caring for others, that time to regenerate might not come fast enough or at all.
There is a way to regenerate and feel refreshed while you do your work or go about your day. By the way, monks and nuns connect with God all the time, and they do not take vacations and during the weekend they are even more busy
As mentioned, it is God who is truly the one regenerating us – and we regenerate in the NOW, which is the only moment we have. In our Christian faith we believe that the Kingdom of Heaven is NOW, not tomorrow, as 'tomorrow' never comes (it is only experienced as a 'now' moment).
Psychology describes this process of feeling renewed while in action as ‘FLOW’, and you too have access to it with practice. In the GCJ Program, you will practice being in Flow and connecting with the sacred throughout the day!
DILEMMA # 6
“I am so busy caring for others – I cannot even take time to do a program for myself, although I know I need it!”
I totally understand that! I've had seasons in my life that just the thought of taking a program was making me tired. In the same time, without taking the necessary steps, it is easy to BURNOUT.
It is with this in mind that I created this GCJ Program, which allows you to work through the lessons in a gentle way, with ample time for implementation and practice, as you go about your day, without disruptions!
And because I bring decades of experience from education, psychology, science, life coaching, spiritual care, contemplative practice and faith practices – I distilled all this for you! And thus you can experience Regeneration not like another 'Project', but as a way of life.
This way you do not need to spend hours and hours in order to build your 'Renewal Blueprint'. It is all condensed and distilled at your fingertips!
Now, I’m seeing myself apply Ioana’s teachings, feel being in the presence of the Holy Spirit, find serendipitous moments through connecting and being open to different things.
- Natalie
If you are reading this, most likely you've experienced many fluctuating seasons in your life as a high-level Professional Christian Giver and Servant Leader and this Growing in Christ Journey (GCJ) Program is uniquely designed to support and address the specific challenges on this journey!
As a professional, I've experienced 2 burnouts and realized that we are lacking programs that can guide us step-by-step, on a very practical level, while integrating science, psychology, spiritual care and our Christian Faith.
Therefore, inspired by God and amazing professionals who love to give but unfortunately burned out as well, I've embarked on a intense professional training journey to create such a program, so that YOU can KEEP ON GIVING TO OTHERS IN CHRIST and fulfill our ministry, without you having to lose precious time nor energy from your work!
If you are interested in using the intersection of the best of science, psychology, spiritual care and ancient Christian Faith – in order to move toward union with God, every day and every moment, in the cradle of your Church Community and Ministry, then GCJ Program is for you!
Ultimately it is GOD who is regenerating us. And the ONE who moves through us to help others.
In the same time, we can CO-CREATE with God by:
- Developing our 'RENEWAL BLUEPRINT' so that we can Regenerate Daily, no matter the season
- Continuing to GROW Psychologically and Spiritually to make more room for God in our lives
- Daily Nurturing our Soul and Preparing Daily our Earthly Vessel, Body, Mind, and Heart for a full day of giving
- Bringing forth the 'Fruits of the Spirit'
- Transforming ourselves from the 'Image of God' into the 'Likeness of God'
- Being able to 'Live in the World but NOT of the world'
- Continuing to serve others in Christ with Joy, Energy, Patience and that 'Peace that surpasses all understanding'
- Staying connected with God, 'on the Vine', every day and every moment.
“Acquire the Spirit of Peace and a thousand souls around you will be saved.”
St. Seraphim of Sarov
This program is a healing framework for internal perspective. I have clarified and then re-ordered my motivations to create a positive internal culture. I had no idea how much internal re-modeling I actually needed. Now, I’ve been enabled to operate freely with my source of grounding to order my time better and prioritize the important work of self-determination for rhythm and balance of life. The integrity of this model lovingly provides clarity of heart: I am gaining freedom from my negative attitudes which has strengthened my resolve to view myself and others with much more understanding and compassion.
Dr. Ioana’s framework encourages true objectivity and creativity that lights the way for the individual’s call to purpose with passion. And, the cherry-on-top, is Dr. Ioana’s genuine joy in her journey with you as a sacred soul companion. I will be grateful to her forever.
- ML. Scacciaferro
BS Psychology, with Professional Counseling Emphasis; Spiritual Formation
Groups Facilitator
In this busy fast-paced world and with many dilemmas as Christians
we need a 'RENEWAL BLUEPRINT' first, and here is WHY ...
An effective 'Renewal Blueprint' can give you the...
- MAP – to navigate your emotions, thoughts, body sensations, so that you can understand your needs without having to suppress them nor indulge them. This way you can pray and connect with God at all time
- FRAMEWORK – to navigate the busy online world – with so many Self-care advices, that they do not all make sense from a Christian perspective
- CONFIDENCE – that you take care of your ‘earthly vessel,’ entrusted to you by God: your body, your emotions (heart) and your thoughts (mind) so that you can live from your soul and in union with God at all times, and move from the ‘image’ of God into Its ‘likeness’
- DAILY RITUALS – that you can fall back on, no matter the season you are in. The best Renewal Blueprint is created in an‘accordion’ style, and can allow you to adapt and regenerate, no matter how busy or relaxed your season is, and without missing important ‘ingredients’ in your regeneration
- FLEXIBILITY – so that in a busy season, even with limited time, you know what to focus on, in order to take care of your body, mind (thoughts), heart (emotions) and soul (true self, spirit), without accumulating unnecessary stress
- GUIDANCE – to navigate times of introspection and silent prayers, like Jesus Prayer. In our fast-paced and noisy world, gone are the days when we could get spontaneous times of silence. And, it is not uncommon that many people are not sure what to do in silence (especially as there is so much focus on ‘meditation’ coming from other religions)
- Nonetheless contemplation and silence have always been part of the Christian Tradition. In silence it is natural to experience thoughts, emotions, images or body sensations and a helpful Renewal Blueprint can guide you to include silence and contemplation in your daily rituals, while navigating your inner world
- TIME BACK – a Renewal Blueprint helps you to not spend hours and hours in researching and figuring out what is needed for your regeneration. With an effective Renewal Blueprint, you have the patterns all condensed and distilled at your fingertips!
- DISCERNMENT – to brainstorm and grow in what is regenerative for you and what is not. We are created in God in wonderful ways – and although alike, we are different in many ways. Not all regenerating practices work for all of us, so having the discernment how to choose is essential. The Renewal Blueprint gives you the space to grow this skill.
The TRIA Renewal Blueprint is really centering, grounding, and helping you to detach (in a healthy way) from whatever is happening outside or inside of you, to not become 'part of the problem'.
- Program Participant
The breadth and depth of Ioana’s knowledge and life experience has enabled her to create something very unique and relevant to the situation many caregivers are facing today.
- Robin
IT Specialist, Spiritual Companion & Director
“Transformed people TRANSFORM people"
Richard Rohr
I'm so thankful you said yes to me last year! God sends us warriors to help us in our battle. Your ministry & love has helped me grow my faith. It has prepared me to battle to save my family. Thank you for all you do the world.
Sending prayers of strength for you to continue your amazing work.
- Anonymous
Since I burned out twice and, through my decades of professional experience (medicine, psychology, spiritual care, education, life coaching), I built an effective RENEWAL BLUEPRINT, part of The Renewal In Action™ CORE training in these ongoing programs.
This 'Renewal Blueprint' is one of the many offerings in the GCJ Program and has helped me, my students and clients to regenerate on-the-go and enjoy serving Christ with much joy and energy!
People now ask me all the time - "You look so busy! How do you have so much energy and creativity? How can you do that?"
And my answer is "I am not busy - I am just enjoying serving God and regenerating on-the-go, as I follow this Renewal Blueprint - and it works!"
(And I cannot even get full credit - as I believe it is God that inspires and moved us)
And now, YOU too can do that!
We all heard, when boarding a flight, the advice: “In the unlikely event of decompression, apply the oxygen mask first on your face, and then on those you tend to”. Yet, have we, Caretakers who face “decompression” with likely regularity, internalized this guidance? Likely not, by the Burnout epidemic that we witness and experience.
Dr. Ioana Popa’s “The Renewal in Action” Course fills this gap, with wise and loving guidance that instructs, empowers, and heals. It offers pillars to support all our dimensions –Body, Mind, Heart, and Soul—as Humans and Caretakers, so we can renew ourselves, and then return, forged and restored, to caring for others.
- Dr. Cristian
Intensivist & Pulmonologist Physician
About Dr. Ioana
Dr. Ioana is Christian Spiritual Life Coach & Trainer, educator and physician - psychiatrist, who completed her MTS degree at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, where she has both taught and provided psychological care through the Office of Spiritual Formation and Counseling for many years.
More about Dr. Ioana
I am grateful that Ioana’s vision has come to fruition as it is the most wonderful gift I have ever received!
- Andrea
A transformative event that any caregiver should consider, whether active in the Healing arts, Leadership work, or any other Public service.
- Dr. Cristian
Growing In Christ Journey (GCJ) Program is designed to support you in your spiritual and psychological journey to follow Christ in such a way that ...
"Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things".
Philippians 4:8 NKJV
Ioana’s ongoing, expert guidance and the support from an evolving group of like-minded givers have helped me to focus on self-care and renewal at the Body, Mind, Heart, and Soul Levels.
I have willingly stretched myself, answered difficult questions, and participated in sometimes intense reflective exercises, all leading to growth and a deeper connection to God and my true purpose in life!
- Andrea
Educator
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
Matthew 22:37-39
Here Are The Pillars and the Details of the ...
Growing In Christ Journey (GCJ) Program
Regeneration, Growth & Soul Care
GCJ - PILLARS:
- GROWING in the Image & Likeness of God
- DEEPENING Roles & Identity in Christ
- MASTERING of the Will
- MASTERING of Time & Rhythm
- BALANCING Body, Mind, Heart & Soul
- GROWING in Service & Community
Dr. Ioana’s program and ‘nuggets’ of psychological, scientific and ancient Christian information are very helpful to me. Her ability to express clearly scientific knowledge while integrating psychology and ancient Christian spirituality is helping me to see myself more clearly! Dr. Ioana has given me hope, and helped me to feel better about myself...that change is possible for me!
- Anna
Qld, Australia
GCJ - DETAILS:
When you enroll in the GCJ Program you access:
1. The Renewal in Action™ CORE program - for the first 6 months
This is my signature CORE online program:
- It is a holistic program with 6 Modules, delivered slowly over ~ 6 months, to avoid overwhelm, so that you can regenerate and connect with God on-the-go, moment by moment
- It helps you connect with God and build from inside-out your daily RENEWAL BLUEPRINT, integrating your body, mind, heart (emotions) and infusing it with your soul – the image of God
- It will help you build your daily rituals 'accordion style' – at your own pace, so that you can update your rituals on-the-go, no matter how busy you are
- This way, you can feel at peace, renewed and grounded in God, like “the eye of the storm” while serving others in Christ.
Here is what you have access in the first 6 months of the programs:
TRIA MODULE 1
'Foundations for Renewal'
Clarify common Caring Dilemmas, learn to befriend Time, (re)discover your Big Why for living and giving, and then create your Renewal Motivational Anchor to keep you inspired during 'rainy' days.
TRIA MODULE 2 - Month 2
'Prepare for Giving'
Embark on your transformative journey! Discover holistic integration, renew with awareness, overcome inner blocks & start each day with a well crafted and soulful 'Prepare-for-Giving' Morning Ritual.
TRIA MODULE 3 - Month 3
'Staying in Flow'
Get clarity on how to stay grounded as you go about your day. Create your 'Staying In Flow' Midday Ritual Blueprint and map your quick guide for Self & Co-regulating Practices to use when needed.
TRIA MODULE 4 - Month 4
'Separate & Release'
What does it take to let go of the day and come back to yourself, family/friends without leftover thougths, emotions (or extra pens from work)? It's time to build your 'Separate & Release' Ritual!
TRIA MODULE 5 - Month 5
'Regenerate & Renew'
For your evening, let's start creating your 'Regenerate & Renew' Ritual Blueprint to be with and in God, with all your heart, mind, body,and soul as you pray and go to a restful sleep.
TRIA MODULE 6 - Month 6
'Integrate & Refine'
It's time to fine-tune and synthesize your Renewal Blueprint so you can regenerate no matter your season. And last but not least, master quick monthly revisions for lasting transformation.
2. New Online Courses
One condensed new course per month, right after the TRIA CORE Program
- A new course every month to continue to help you on your journey of psychological and spiritual growth. Yes, that is right - new course every month!
- This way you can continue your journey of growth in Christ toward whatever is 'true, and noble, just, pure,' toward Union with God
- The monthly courses bring my best condensed information and steps for you to take, without overwhelm, no matter how busy!
Here is a list of the following Monthly Courses ...
Month 7
'Environmental Design for Sustainable Rituals'
Space, Rituals and your Mind. Empower yourself and take small steps today to support your sacred habits using and 'designing' your surroundings and save time!
Month 8
'Understanding Emotions Toward Balance in Christ'
Uncover the hidden 'Laws' of emotions and establish a short practice using my 'P.R.A.Y Jesus' method' to stay grounded on-the-go and be with Christ moment by moment.
Month 9
'Understanding Thoughts Toward Balance in Christ'
Dealing with thoughts can feel like a "battle" especially in stressful times. In this condensed course, you learn the essential and faith-filled steps to relate to thoughts and strengthen your faith.
Month 10
'Dealing with Pain Toward Balance in Christ'
Pain is uncomfortable. Pain is no fun. Pain is terrible. But pain is NOT suffering. Learn about types of pain and mindsets shifting, so when you have pain, you don't suffer.
Month 11
'Watchfulness - Training Our Focus Toward Union with God'
Recognize the hidden power of your focus on your journey towards union with God. Understand its principles and train it to align yourself with God's presence.
Month 12
'Mastery of the Will in Christ'
Christians want to shift unwanted habits and build new ones in Christ, but this feels like a battle. Learn to shift your mindsets and train your effortless will in small steps, to transform yourself.
Year 2 Month 1 (Y2M1)
'Healthy Boundaries in Christ'
Not sure when to set boundaries and when to just give to others? Did Christ even had boundaries? Discover 2 Meta Frameworks and a Daily Practice to navigate this fine balance, with God at your core.
More Upcoming Monthly Courses in Year 2 ...
-
Y2 M2 - God's Trinitarian Nature: the Essence & Energies of God
-
Y2M3 - God's Will or My Will? Locus of Control and Human Maturation
-
Y2M4 - Jesus Prayer and Dual Processing mind
-
Y2M5 - Understanding and Befriending our 'Inner Critic'
-
Y2M6 - Understanding and Befriending our 'Perfectionism'
-
Y2M7 - Understanding and Befriending our 'Pleasing' Part
-
Y2M8 - Understanding and Befriending our 'Inner Doubter'
-
Y2M9 - Understanding and Befriending our 'Fixing' Part
-
Y2M10 - Understanding and Befriending our Anger
-
Y2M11 - Deepening Our Experience of the Soul - Christ Identity
-
Y2M12 - Vocation, Creativity and Serving in Christ
3. Contemplative Practices and Jesus Prayer Practices
A Growing Online Library
- Like many Christians, I love the simple practice of Jesus Prayer. If you are not familiar with it, it is a grounding Christian practice to help us stay in the present moment and in silence, focusing on the simple words and reality “Jesus Christ Son of God, have mercy on me.”
- It is linked to our breath, and in time it can become such a ritual and habit that we can rely on it without even having to think about it! Psychology calls this ‘Dual Processing Mind.’
- I started developing a growing bank of recorded practices, based on the tradition of the Jesus Prayer and incorporating helpful preparatory steps to allow our mind, emotions and body sensations to relax, so that we can then rest and regenerate in Christ.
4. Recorded Prayers
A Growing Online Library
- I love audio recordings of prayers. Many times I am in action and might not be able to sit down and read or say all my prayers.
- Memorizing prayers is very helpful, and I observed for myself and others that, having access to recording of various prayers or Scripture passages – can help us stay grounded in Christ, while we go about our day. And it helps with memorization as well!
- With that in mind, I started developing a bank of recorded prayers, which I plan to expand along our journey.
5. BONUS -Monthly Q&A Calls
Bring your questions!
- We meet during Monthly Live Zoom Q & A meetings.
- You can bring your questions and I personally answer them.
Ready to Learn and Grow in Christ?
SCHOLARSHIPS Available if Needed: email us at [email protected]
Growing In Christ Journey (GCJ) Program
$50/mo
For the Passionate Christian Givers & Servant Leaders (Total Value over $500/month)
Ready? Start Growing TodayAre you a Church or Christian Organization, looking for Group Pricing or Partnership in Christ?
"Transformed people
TRANSFORM PEOPLE"
-Richard Rohr
All information provided on this website AND in the GROWING IN CHRIST JOURNEY (GCJ) PROGRAM are strictly for EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES and do not form a physician-patient NOR a coach/consultant-client relationship. No relationship is formed between you and the Company or any of our owners or employees without a written agreement. All information is provided as is and is used at your own risk. Please speak to your medical provider before about any information you read on this website.