Professional Boundaries

Overview

Completion of a course in Professional Boundaries is required for ordination, and is required for students of the AME program. The GRR Council on Ministerial Standing and Ordination will accept certificates from either of the following courses:
  1. A Sacred Trust

Details

Spiritual leadership is full of boundary conflicts. Often the lines between what is appropriate and what is not are unclear. We have all heard the stories of leaders who have “crossed the line”, wounding both themselves and others. It is a problem not unique to American Baptists, Protestants, or even Christians.

The purpose of Professional Boundaries is to help spiritual leaders identify boundaries and so respect the persons who have entrusted us with their spiritual well-being.

The course covers 4 areas:

  1. Boundaries, Power and Vulnerability
  2. Dating, Friendships, Dual Relationships, Gifts
  3. The Pulpit, Transference, Hugging and Touch, Intimacy
  4. Personal Needs and Self-Care, Red Flags, Final Reflections


The Great Rivers Region is pleased to offer this course for our ministers. If you are anticipating ordination, this course will satisfy the “Professional Ethics” requirement. If you presently serve as a minister, this will be a good refresher course. Continuing Education Units will be awarded.