As of 2020 all active clergy, both ordained and commissioned, are required to complete six hours of Healthy Boundary Training for Clergy every three years. Approved training is provided by the Christian Church in Nebraska. Other options may be: courses offered by other Regions of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), member Communions/Denominations of the Churches Uniting in Christ, or trainings pre-approved by the Pastoral Leadership Commission on a case-by-case basis (please contact the Regional Minister directly, and be prepared to submit a full schedule and syllabus of the training).
When: January 10, 2026
Time: 11 AM – 1:30 PM CST
Where: Zoom
Cost: $29.99
In this 2.5-hour course we’ll continue to reflect the concept of personal and professional boundaries for church leaders, and how that can help enhance the ministry we are are engaged in. The case studies in this program will focus on the area of social media. We’ll consider how this can either enhance or damage our pastoral relationships. Even if we’re not heavy social media users ourselves, many of our congregational members are, and we need to be aware of strategies to use these tools in appropriate ways to strengthen God’s mission and ministry through us and through our congregations.
When: January 22, 2026
Time: 9 AM – 3 PM CST
Where: Zoom
Cost: $30
Our ministry is guided by the respect we have for our congregants & by their having entrusted us with their spiritual well-being. When we do not respect their separateness or use their vulnerabilities to satisfy our personal needs, we have violated boundaries & betrayed a sacred trust. Healthy boundaries are a gift. They are helpful guidelines that give shape to our relationships. In ministry situations boundaries clarify who is the congregant and who is the mentor, not in a hierarchical way, but in a manner that prevents the unhealthy merging of individuals. Boundaries create safe spaces & help to build trust over time. (From Faithtrust Institute)
Healthy Boundaries 201
When: May 16, 2026
Time: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM CST
Where: Zoom
Cost: $35
- To illustrate the impact of appropriate vs. inappropriate boundaries in promoting effective ministry
- To provide clergy and spiritual teachers with guidelines and suggestions for developing appropriate boundaries and necessary self-care strategies
- To increase awareness of the need for healthy boundaries in the clergy-congregant relationship.
*Must Have Completed Boundary Training 101
Classes are limited to 20 participants.
Healthy Boundaries 101
When: February 21, 2026 / September 29, 2026
Time: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM CST
Where: Zoom
Cost: $35
- To illustrate the impact of appropriate vs. inappropriate boundaries in promoting effective ministry
- To provide clergy and spiritual teachers with guidelines and suggestions for developing appropriate boundaries and necessary self-care strategies
- To increase awareness of the need for healthy boundaries in the clergy-congregant relationship.
Classes are limited to 20 participants.
When: January 21, 2026
Time: 11 AM – 1:30 PM CST
Where: Zoom
Cost: $29.99
In this 2.5-hour course we’ll continue to reflect the concept of personal and professional boundaries, and how that can help enhance the ministry we are engaged in. The case studies in this program will focus on finances and gifts, and the ways that our approach to these issues can impact the pastoral relationship. Church leaders are sometimes offered gifts by grateful parishioners; how ought we handle this? Church leaders sometimes find themselves in personal financial difficulty; what resources are available to us? Church leaders are responsible for congregational finances too; how can we ensure that appropriate financial practices are in place so that the ministry of our congregations is enhanced and not jeopardized? We need to be aware of strategies to use these tools in appropriate ways to strengthen God’s mission and ministry through us and through our congregations.
When: February 28, 2026
Time: 11 AM – 3 PM CST
Where: Zoom
Cost: $30
Boundaries to keep parishioners safe are essential and rightly emphasized in introductory boundary courses. This course is a supplemental course for those in placements and ministry to identify when, cope with, and move forward in instances of parishioners, colleagues, and leaders monopolizing time, misusing power, manipulating through donations or compensation, and bullying, to empower clergy to stay healthy and strengthen their ministry for and with ALL people to whom they are called to serve.
Train the Trainer Event
When: August 15, 2026
Time: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM CST
Where: In-Person
- No registration limit
- Held in person at the Tennessee Regional office
- Participants must bring their own laptop
- Lunch will be provided
Additional Training Opportunities
Lexington Theological Seminary offers a opportunity for clergy to plug into coursework in an auditor capacity, both cost friendly and satisfactory for your continuing education requirements.
Check the schedule for upcoming classes and invest in yourself with some of the best education available today!
Cost: $49
Time: At your own pace (Online)
Understanding Clergy Sexual Ethics is the first, foundational course in the Lewis Center’s Keeping Our Sacred Trust series of online courses that deal with issues of ethical boundaries in ministry. This course is designed to help prevent clergy sexual misconduct by creating awareness of what constitutes misconduct and how issues of misconduct typically arise. It addresses the relational dynamics, internal motivations, and vulnerabilities that can lead to misconduct and the positive steps that can be taken to help prevent misconduct or the appearance of misconduct. The goal is to help course participants develop a strong and reliable “internal compass” that will help them to steer a safe course even in confusing or difficult situations.
Cost: $29
Time: In this 7-module, 2-hour course, we will take users through the top issues challenging today’s clergy and church leadership, and how they can navigate these ethical conundrums.
Module 1: Ethics and Boundaries.
Module 2: Ethical Challenges: Technology, Addictive Behaviors
Module 3: Ethical Challenges: Sexual Abuse and Misconduct, Boundary Awareness/Abuse Prevention.
Module 4: Ethical Challenges: Dual Relationships, Confidentiality, Accountability.
Module 5: Ethical Challenges: Plagiarism, Use of Resources, Abuse of Power.
Module 6: Ethical Challenges and Consequences.
Module 7: Conclusion and Final Exam.
Cost: $49
Time: 4 to 6 hours to complete (Online)
Maintaining Boundaries in a Digital Age is an online course offered by the Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary. It explores issues of clergy ethics in an era of instantaneous, electronic communication. It helps spiritual leaders stay healthy and attentive to appropriate boundaries in the midst of new challenges. It builds on the first course in the Keeping Our Sacred Trust series, Understanding Clergy Sexual Ethics, which is a primer on preventing clergy sexual misconduct.