Mandatory sexual ethics training to be online with three options of dates
Desiring to provide support and encouragement to our clergy, the Board of Ordained Ministry with the Bishop’s Response Team on Relational Ethics is offering a fresh approach to the 2021-2024 Quadrennial Ethics and Boundary Training events. Though still mandatory for all appointed and assigned clergy and lay ministers, this year’s workshop will engage the topic of relational ethics from a “whole person” perspective – considering how to strengthen both personal and professional relationships in a highly stressful environment.
The presenter will be the Rev. Dr. David C. Olsen, co-author with Nancy Devor, of the book, Saying No to Say Yes: Everyday Boundaries and Pastoral Excellence (2015). The book explores the difficulties clergy face when they attempt to say “no” by setting effective boundaries in order to say “yes” to the life-giving call of ministry.
Dr. Olson will weave together the basics of boundary-training with a deep understanding of the stressors of church leadership during a pandemic. You’ll glean insights that will encourage and strengthen you not only for leadership within the church, but for all relationships.
This quadrennial training (5.5-hour webinar) will be offered via Zoom on the following dates. Register now for ONE of these three dates. Though identical in content, each training will be hosted live with Dr. Olson leading each one and engaging the unique questions which arise during each session.
Dates: Thursday, Jan.13
Friday, Jan.14
Saturday, Jan. 15
Each webinar will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m. Each will be broken into 4 sections with a lunch break.
Topics to be covered will begin with the necessity and history of boundary awareness, the complexity of boundaries in church settings as well as types of boundary issues including the obvious sexual misconduct, social media, email, etc. The afternoon focuses on what makes boundaries so complicated: looking at both internal psychological issues and systemic issues and ending with prevention strategies. Special attention will be given throughout the sessions to the impact of significant anxiety over COVID and the way it has made boundary setting even more complex. Dr. Olson will offer wisdom and encouragement for saying “yes” to the life-giving call of ministry even in the midst of a pandemic.
The training is mandatory for all persons under appointment and will fulfill the requirement for the 2021-24 quadrennium.