Therapist and boundaries training facilitator Sarah Parker, LMFT shares, “One of the tools that I have found really beneficial for me to keep myself ‘in check’ with regards to my boundaries is the Life Wheel we share in boundary training.”

When I think about my passion for boundaries trainings, I have similar thoughts for pastors and congregations that I imagine my dentist has for her patients. I want people to have good boundaries so they can experience holistic health … physically, emotionally, spiritually, etc. I want to spare people from the painful experience of boundary violations. I want ministries to offer nourishment and health to those to whom we are called to minister.

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When the most vulnerable flourish, we all flourish. This is something I have learned from disability rights movements.

Strength evidenced through LOM's Total Inclusion initiative.

In 2020, after the murder of George Floyd, LeaderWise added the 6th End, “ability of leaders to develop cultural humility and competence.” This means we offer our clients the tools and support to learn cultural humility and competence, and it also means we are committed as an organization and as individuals always to be increasing our own cultural competence. We engage in learning activities as an organization, and we engage as individuals. As with leadership development, the cultural competence work is never done, and we can only encourage our clients to engage the work because we have done so first.

An Interview with LeaderWise spiritual director Alicia Forde.

Each RPS session begins by inviting you to press the brakes on the busy-ness of ministry for 60-90 minutes every 4- 6 weeks. We then engage the clutch, holding time and space for the Holy, because at its core, RPS is spiritually and theologically grounded. You then bring an issue from your ministry to the space. Your supervisor helps you pinpoint the defining moment when your issue smooths out and forms a clear question to explore.

For 45 minutes each week, let down the mantle of ministry and fill your cup. Led by the Rev. Dr. Sarah Lammert, a trauma-informed member of the LeaderWise staff, these sessions will offer you a centering moment or inclusive prayer, followed by a time of silence and open sharing, and ending with a blessing to send you on your way. Together we will acknowledge what is so in our world, while also reminding ourselves of the power of shared holding and holy intention.

What can trees teach us about mental health?

Life has so many funny moments, especially when we intentionally make the choice to not take ourselves too seriously and to seek out the humor in a situation.

LeaderWise knows firsthand how faith leaders are often on the “front lines” of trauma, no matter where they are serving: congregations, hospitals, education, city streets, or corporations. It’s why LeaderWise created our Trauma-Informed Ministry Series. Over the course of four (2-hour) workshops spanning two days, we will equip faith leaders with knowledge and best practices to be present in a trauma-informed way to those who are significantly struggling.

“Everything becomes holy as we pay attention,” says Tim Nelson, one of LeaderWise’s spiritual directors. We invite you to learn more about spiritual direction in this interview with Tim and how it helps ground leaders in times of change and uncertainty.

Listen to Tim’s current theme song, Holy Now, from Minnesotan singer/songwriter, Peter Mayer.

Meet Susan Nienaber (LMFT) who has officially joined the LeaderWise team as a counselor and consultant after a history of involvement that began when she met John Davis, our Executive Director, in the 1980s. In this interview with Susan led by Mark Sundby, you’ll learn how Susan is bringing her rich knowledge and 30 years of experience as therapist, mediator, consultant, and an ordained minister to LeaderWise. Plus, you’ll learn how Susan got into axe-throwing!

As an organization committed to the holistic care of our clients, LeaderWise is pleased to be able to provide a new offering that promotes relational health. The Relationship Checkup is a two-session, assessment-based intervention aimed at increasing partnership satisfaction, intimacy, and healthy communication. Just as individuals are encouraged to visit their primary care providers for annual wellness exams, the Relationship Checkup functions in the same way for marriages and romantic relationships.