WHAT IS HEALTHY BOUNDARIES TRAINING?
Mennonite Church USA is committed to work proactively at the issue of ministerial sexual abuse and helping make the church a safer and healthier environment through teachings on the importance of boundaries for ministerial leaders. Healthy Boundaries training is crucial to effective ministry in our conference. The healthy use of power and recognition of the misuse of power are important facets of Christian ministry.
WDC requires persons with Active credentials to receive Healthy Boundaries training every three years, or within the first year of ministry for those who have not received training previously.
Kathy Neufeld Dunn, WDC Associate Conference Minister (Kansas-Based), will lead Healthy Boundaries training sessions in the FaithTrust Institute (a national training organization) model of prevention of clergy sexual misconduct. (Sandra Montes-Martinez, WDC Associate Conference Minister (Texas-Based), will be a co-trainer for only specific trainings where Spanish interpretation will be available. These trainings will be noted as so.) Ways to stay healthy in ministry are to manage personal boundaries well, engage in regular self-care, and be aware of when you are most at risk of misconduct. These topics and more will be discussed.
Most trainings, unless noted below, are held online, using Zoom video conferencing. Materials and a Zoom link will be sent to registrants prior to the training.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND HEALTHY BOUNDARIES TRAINING?
WDC monitors and notifies WDC persons with Active credentials who are due for Healthy Boundaries training.
- HEALTHY BOUNDARIES 101: Credentialed persons who have not taken the Healthy Boundaries training.
- HEALTHY BOUNDARIES 201: Credentialed persons who have previously taken Healthy Boundaries 101 should take the advanced Healthy Boundaries 201 training every three years. Healthy Boundaries 201 includes a different module every three years, and highlights a different topic. So each time you are due for a refresher, the focus will be on a different ministry challenge, such as duel relationships, financial boundaries, ethical social media engagement, and more.
UPCOMING WDC HEALTHY BOUNDARIES TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES:
Healthy Boundaries 101 : (A digital copy of the training manual is available for free plus the Registration fee- WDCers $55, Non-WDCers $65)
-HB 101: Oct 29 from 8:30am-4pm CT, English only via Zoom
Healthy Boundaries 201 (A digital copy of the training manual is available for free plus the Registration fee- WDCers $55, Non-WDCers $65)
-HB 201: Oct 24 from 9am-4pm CT, English only via Zoom
*We are now out of both the HB 101 and 201 training physical english manuals. HB 201 physical Spanish manuals are still available.
More training options: *For WDC Ministers, please let the WDC Office know if you plan to take one of these trainings.
-See opportunities around MC USA on their website – https://www.mennoniteusa.org/ministry/church-vitality/healthy-boundaries-training/
HOW TO REGISTER
Use the form at the top of this page to register, OR email wdc@mennowdc.org to let us know you will attend, and send payment to: WDC, PO Box 306, North Newton KS 67117. Please register at least two weeks before your selected training date. Materials will be sent to you prior to the training.
Note to WDC credentialed persons: You can apply for a Continuing Education grant to pay for the cost of this training. Online application form available at: https://mennowdc.org/wdc-continuing-education-grant-application-form/
QUESTIONS?
Contact Kathy Neufeld Dunn at kathynd@mennowdc.org.