Introducing New and Improved Boundary Training Modules!
To All Authorized SWC Clergy:
You asked for it and your Conference and Committee on Ministry has delivered. We’d like to introduce you to our new BT modules, facilitated by the Rev. Dr. Diane Weible. Dr. Weible is a former UCC Conference Minister that left Conference Ministry to start her own business to support churches and ministers. Dr. Weible states, “I strive to offer organizations and individuals support to form new perspectives and reach to the future of their mission, vision and goals.” We are blessed to have Dr. Weible working with the SWC for the next 4 years of this BT cycle (2023-2027). She will bring a strong level of expertise along with relevant, updated and applicable awareness and education for our clergy in these ever-changing times of doing ministry.
Clergy are required to take 9 hours (three 3-hour modules) to complete their BT requirement for this cycle. Dr. Weible constructed the Modules based on the Ordained Minister’s Code.
The offerings will be as follows:
Module 1: Covenant with self and others to “Preach and teach the Gospel without fear or favor, regarding all persons with equal respect and concern and undertaking to minister impartially.”
· Power and Vulnerability
1. What is power?
2. How power and vulnerability show up in all topics we cover
· Social Media and Artificial Intelligence
1. Facebook, Instagram, etc. Responsible use, including online aliases
2. Artificial Intelligence ethical practices
· Dual Relationships
1. Role of Minister in the most sacred moments of a family’s life
2. Dating and Polyamorous Relationships
· “Steward Church Funds and Property Faithfully”
1. Pastoral role with finances in local church
2. Gift Acceptance
3. To know or not to know-should a pastor know the giving levels of members?
4. Boundaries vs. Pastoral needs in knowing
Module 2: “Act to prevent and to report known or suspected cases of physical or sexual abuse or neglect”
· Safe Church/Conduct and Pastors
· Safe Conduct Policies
“I will stand in a supportive role with my colleagues”/ “Not perform pastoral services within a congregation or for a member of a congregation, without the invitation of the current pastor…”
· When a pastor leaves/Retired ministers as members (retired and in Four Way Covenants)
· Boundaries with Youth
Module 3: “Practice self-differentiation in both my personal and professional life…”
· Pastor identity and vocation
· Self-Care
· Addressing your own triggers
· Co-regulation and other trauma-informed practices
· Self-differentiation
“Seek the counsel of others.”
· Ministering in anxious systems
· Church conflict and pastoral boundaries
You do not have to go it alone!
· Resources for addressing conflict
Specific dates are as follows:
A 9-hour Boundary Training for Authorized Ministers of the Southwest Conference via Zoom (the nine hours will be divided in three, 3-hour sessions presented as modules, offered on a rotating basis, one each quarter. For a minister to complete Boundary Training, they must attend and be actively engaged in all 3 modules. Offerings do not have to be taken sequentially.
Trainings will be offered quarterly, beginning August 2024. This shows schedule through November 2025. Offerings for 2026 and 2027 TBD.
· August 29, 2024 (Thursday), 9-12pm [Module 1]
· November 20, 2024 (Wednesday), 5-8pm [Module 2]
· February 25, 2025 (Tuesday), 1-4pm [Module 3]
· May 3, 2025 (Saturday), 9-12pm [Module 1]
· August 14, 2025 (Thursday), 9-12 [Module 2]
· November 12, 2025 (Wednesday), 5-8pm [Module 3]