Pastor, do you have a minute?

September 18, 25, October 2, January 15, 22, and 29

Course Description: “Pastor, do you have a minute?” How many times have you heard a congregant approach you with these words (or something similar)? One of the most important roles ministers—both lay and ordained—provide for those in their care is that of pastoral caregiver.

Since the pandemic, the need for this care has skyrocketed; according to multiple research studies, about a third of US adults report symptoms of anxiety and depression and about 25% have a diagnosed mental illness.  Add in the impact of these symptoms on loved ones, and it can seem that everyone is affected.

Ministers and congregational leaders provide a crucial function in supporting these individuals and their loved ones with connection and care. How comfortable are you when someone approaches you with a pastoral concern? Join us for this lunchtime series to refresh your pastoral care skills and learn new insights into how to respond compassionately and appropriately when people come to you and ask if you have a minute. Each lunchtime session will address specific pastoral care and mental health topics. Guided by experts in mental health, you’ll refresh your basic knowledge and learn new insights to support your ministry.

A synchronous webinar lunchtime series for ministers. There will be three meetings in the fall of 2024 and three in the winter of 2025.

Location: Online

With: Helen Blier and weekly guests

Schedule: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM ET

Fall: 

September 18, 2024 – Brady Radford “What's Your Theology of Conflict?”

September 25, 2024 – Chanequa Walker-Barnes “The Case for Self-Care”

October 2, 2024 – Lindsay Geist “Pastoral Care vs. Mental Health Referral"

Winter:

January 15, 2025 – Shavon Starling-Louis “Worship Leadership as Pastoral Care”

January 22, 2025 – James Lamkin “Navigating Triangles”

January 29, 2025 – Joanne Spence “Strategies for Trauma-Informed Pastoral Care”

 

Program Fee: Pay what you can. The recommended fee for attending all six sessions is $100.

Contact: lifelonglearning@ctsnet.edu