Healthy Ministry Modules
UPCOMING HEALTHY MINISTRY MODULE TRAININGS
The events happening this fall are all via Zoom.
Alternate Module 1 (Retiring & Retired Clergy) Thursday, July 27, 2022, 1-4 pm AZ, 2-5 pm MDT
Module 1 - Thursday, August 24, 2023 - 1-4 pm AZ, 2-5 pm MDT
Module 2 - Thursday, September 28, 2023 - 1-4 pm AZ, 2-5 pm MDT
Module 3 – Thursday, October 26, 2023 - 1-4 pm AZ, 2-5 pm MDT
Module 4 - Thursday, November 30, 2023 – 1-4 pm MST
DESCRIPTION OF HEALTHY MINISTRY MODULES
Just as a trellis provides for a supportive structure and airy spaces for healthy vines to grow, our ministries need structure and spaces to be healthy, growing and fruitful! As clergy, one of the ways we covenant together to keep our ministries healthy is to take periodic training for ethical boundary awareness for professional clergy.
The Southwest Conference Committee on Church and Ministry provides FOUR 3-hour modules on Boundary Awareness Training, currently held on Zoom.
The goals of a modular format are:
· Participants in smaller groups will be able to go more in depth in each topic, allowing for more discussion and relevance, as well as strengthening the covenantal relationship.
· More flexibility to accommodate different scheduling needs.
· Trainers may develop expertise for particular modules.
· Promoting a culture of ongoing attention to healthy boundaries.
TIME REQUIREMENTS AND STRUCTURE:
· All clergy are on the same 5-year cycle. Years ending in “3” and “8” BEGIN a new cycle. All clergy with authorized standing in the Conference need to take the required modules by December of the current cycle (currently: December of 2027. Jan. 2028 begins a new cycle).
· Clergy transferring into the SW Conference: If they have taken boundary training since the beginning of the cycle (since Jan. 2023), they do not need to take training until the next cycle. If their most recent training is before the beginning of the current cycle, they need to take it by the end of this cycle.
· Can clergy choose another program instead of the SWC modular system?
Not unless there are extenuating circumstances that are negotiated. The reason is that our program is designed, within the parameters of Faith Trust Institute’s curriculum to maximize depth of discussion and thoroughness of material being covered. It is 12 program hours, while others may be only one 8-hour day. It is also important to uphold the value of covenantal relationships with each other as clergy within the Southwest Conference.
· Modules are offered are currently offered online via a Zoom meeting platform .
If you have any issues using Zoom, please contact Associate Conference Minister, Rev. Dr. Barb Doerrer-Peacock in advance to discuss.
Modules may be taken in any order. Participants will receive a certificate of completion for each module, and will be tracked in their UCC DataHub record. You can call or email the ACM to find out what you have accomplished if you lose track, but it is always good to keep your own records as well.
MODULE CONTENT:
· Module 1: Intro and Theology of Boundaries, Power & Vulnerability
o The Joy of Boundaries
o Theology of Boundaries
o Power and Vulnerability
o Self-Care
o Safe Church policy
o Departing a ministry
· Alternate-Module 1: RETIRED & RETIRING (Taken INSTEAD OF the regular Module 1 by those who are in or approaching professional retirement. To maintain active ordained ministerial standing, retired clergy must also take the other three regular modules).
o Boundaries in Retirement
o Power and Vulnerability
o Self-Care: Discovering and Maintaining Purpose and Meaning
o Continuing Expressions of Vocation
o Managing covenantal relationships, friendships,
o Departing a ministry & retirement ethics
o Discerning the choice for Exempt Standing
· Module 2: Interpersonal Relationships
o Transference
o Physical contact
o Sexual attraction, Dating & Intimacy
o Friendship
o Dual relationships
o Family/kids/spouses/partner issues
o Single Pastor
o Between Youth and Pastor
· Module 3: Work, Time, Resources
o Church finances and personal finances
o Stresses of diminishing income
o Bookkeeping
o Transparency
o Gift-giving
o Over-functioning/Use of Time
· Module 4: Technology and Social Media
o Pornography and addiction, sexting
o Emailing & texting
o Use and abuse of various social media platforms
o Interactions w Youth on social media
OTHER BOUNDARY AWARENESS TRAINING:
BOUNDARY AWARENESS TRAINING for CONGREGATIONS
The Southwest Conference also offers a three-hour session for individual congregations on boundary awareness training. It takes the Faith Trust Institute material that pastors receive in their boundary awareness training and adapts it to a congregational perspective. The goal is to create common understanding around healthy boundaries between clergy and laity. Equipping the laity with boundary awareness topics and practices empower the congregation as well as the clergy to be responsible for interpreting and maintaining healthy boundaries together, rather than just the clergy. This session is shaped in consultation with the pastor and leaders so to be tailored to any specific needs of the congregation. Since not all the material can be covered in one 3-hour period, the trainers and pastor will discuss which components of the material are most relevant. Pastors are expected to be present with their congregations during the training.
o This session is particularly recommended for congregations during transitional/interim periods, and/or when a new pastor has arrived. But it can be used at other times as well.
o It is not designed to be a substitute for situational support consultations and should not be used when the congregation is undergoing a specific crisis or escalating conflict.
· BOUNDARY AWARENESS TRAINING FOR CHURCH STAFF
Similar to the session for congregations, the Faith Trust Institute material will be adapted to the perspective of church staff. This is not a training that addresses issues unique to different roles of staff, or relationship to the pastor as supervisor, but will take the same material in order to create common understandings around the professional boundaries that clergy are trained in and generally are good practices for staff as well.
For more information and scheduling of either of these boundary awareness training experiences, contact Rev. Dr. Barb Doerrer-Peacock.