As the Commission for Ministry, we take seriously our role of accompanying you in the work of ministry! Part of the Commission’s responsibilities include providing continuing educational opportunities so that you can strengthen and deepen your skills of ministry.

Ongoing continuing education on Clergy Ethics/Healthy Boundaries is essential for maintaining the health, mental wellness, and integrity of clergy leaders and pastors. In the Order of Ministry process, all clergy must complete training in the area of Clergy Ethics/Healthy Boundaries at least once every three years. By engaging in ongoing education, clergy can reinforce their commitments to ethical behavior, ensuring they serve their communities with transparency, accountability and compassion. Moreover, participation in continuing education opportunities fosters personal growth and resilience, equips clergy to handle the emotional and spiritual challenges that are ever present within the practice of ministry. Continuous learning also ensures that clergy can be up-to-date on ethical standards that support navigating complex moral dilemmas that emerge within ministry.

Serving as an advocate in ministry, the Commission for Ministry believes that a well-informed and ethically grounded clergy are better positioned to build trust and foster healthy, thriving communities.

Each year, continuing education opportunities will be offered related to Clergy Ethics/Healthy Boundaries.

A virtual survey course on Clergy Ethics/Healthy Boundaries in which participants will be offered the chance to consider ethical behavior on topics ranging from

  • Crossings vs Violations

  • Creation Theology and the Nature of Boundaries

  • Power/Vulnerability

  • How We Use Power

  • Hospitality and Entitlement

  • Internet Technology/Social Media

  • Finances

  • Sexual Attraction

  • Dating

  • Gifts

  • The Pulpit, Hugging and Touch

  • Self-Care

  • Trusting Our Spiritual Leaders

This survey course is widely taught across the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and originates from the FaithTrust Institute, an interfaith and ecumenical organization and curriculum for religious leaders. Because this survey experience is designed as a virtual 2.5 hour conversation, the format does not allow for in-depth discussion of all the topics. The intent is to help raise the awareness of ethical practices and how clergy engage and navigate through many of these issues.

A new addition to continued learning around clergy ethics will be an in-person intensive half-day training, which will offer the chance to learn and engage for an extended period of time (5-6 hours) on a particular ethical issue (see the list below). In many ways, this learning opportunity is meant to strengthen clergy knowledge on a given topic yet also provides the opportunity for learning alongside an expert/teacher in that given ethical field.

  • Ethics in anti-racism/anti-bias work,

  • Creation Theology,

  • Ethics in Finance and Accounting,

  • Ethics in Technology

  • Ethics of Power & Vulnerability (a theological consideration),

  • Ethics of Working with/within historically, marginalized communities,

  • Ethics and Mental Health and Wellness

 SAVE the DATES!

On September 27, 2025, from 09:00 am – 02:00 pm, an inaugural in-person session and continuing education opportunity will be offered on “Ethics and Mental Health and Wellness” by Rev. Joselyn Spence, Director of Mental Health and Wellness with the National Benevolent Association. Click on the button below