Boundary Awareness Training 3.0: Rural and Small Town Clergy
May 7 @ 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM ET — REGISTER HERE!
These trainings are for seasoned clergy who have already taken a 2.0 BAT. Often focused on a specific ministry experience, participants will practice new skills and workshop case studies with colleagues. We are currently developing this level of classes.
- Rural & Small Town Clergy BAT ~ This explores what is unique (and not) about serving in a rural or small town setting and what particular practices encourage strong and healthy ministry.
Good professional boundaries allow ministry and those who do it to thrive with health and wholeness. Through the lens of clergy wellness, authorized ministers will renew their understanding of and develop skills for maintaining boundaries in an ever-shifting ministry landscape.
The cost for the training is: SNEUCC Clergy – $65.00; all other Clergy – $85.00.
If you have questions regarding the training please contact Deb Holmes at holmesd@sneucc.org or 508-244-4399. All trainings are listed in Eastern Time.
Class Details
Please note that registration closes 7 days before the session so that participants have ample time to do the pre-work, and classes are capped at 50 participants
Our Boundary Awareness Trainings combine teaching, skill building, small group discussion and personal reflection for a dynamic and collaborative experience. All levels of BAT are in alignment with best practices from the UCC, other denominations and secular professions. Breaks (and lunch when a full day) are included.
We incorporate clergy wellness in all our trainings. Why? Ministry is rewarding; it can also be stressful and demanding. Recent surveys have shown a significant increase in clergy burnout and desire to leave ministry. Clergy whose personal needs are not met in healthy and appropriate ways tend to blur, push or violate ministerial boundaries. A survey of clergy done by Rev. Dr. Jerry Streets found that “clergy who engaged in multiple and frequent self-care strategies experienced higher well-being than that clergy who did not engage in multiple and frequent self-care strategies.” We care about our clergy; we want them to be healthy and whole, for the sake of their ministries and their own belovedness.
Please check with your Association’s Committee on Ministry to inquire whether these trainings meet their requirement for maintaining UCC ministerial standing. You will receive a certificate of completion after the training; it is your responsibility to share this with your Association.
Why Clergy Wellness?
Ministry is rewarding; it can also be stressful and demanding. The last few years have only increased that likelihood. Recent surveys have shown a significant increase in clergy burnout and desire to leave ministry. Clergy whose personal needs are not met in healthy and appropriate ways tend to push and violate ministerial boundaries. A survey of clergy done by Rev. Dr. Jerry Streets found that “clergy who engaged in multiple and frequent self-care strategies experienced higher well-being than that clergy who did not engage in multiple and frequent self-care strategies.” We care about our clergy; we want them to be healthy and whole, for the sake of their ministries and their own belovedness.
What Participants Have Said
- “The Boundary Training was superb! It was not only highly informative, but most importantly, you gave abundant tools for growing into more effective leaders. Learning about the connection between good self-care and maintaining the best of healthy boundaries is clearly at the heart of strong ministry.”
- “This is the best boundary training I have ever attended. It was incredibly helpful to have a focus on mindfulness.”
- “It’s a relief not to sit through the “same old” training.”
- “While I was not happy to hear that I needed to have the training again at this time, I would report that I understand even better why it is necessary and encourage the church to continue to require it.”
- “The care and modeling by the leaders of the training showing a respect, dignity, seriousness, humanness and professional skill to which we all aspire.”