Healthy Boundaries
Healthy Boundaries for Georgia Disciples in 2026
There will be several opportunities for Healthy Boundaries workshops for clergy as well as lay leaders and volunteers in 2026.
Ordained and commissioned clergy in the Christian Church (DOC) in Georgia are required to complete a Healthy Boundaries training every five years to retain standing. Inactive retired ministers are exempt from this requirement. Learn more and register through the link below.
Camp staff and volunteers, including directors, counselors, and counselors-in-training, are required each year to complete “Creating a Safe Environment,” a child safety and healthy boundaries workshop for those working in youth-serving ministries. An additional online training for camp staff and volunteers on “Mandated Reporters: Critical Links in Protecting Children in Georgia” is also required this year. Learn more and register by scrolling to the end of the page.
Healthy Boundaries for Clergy (Christian Church in Georgia)
Healthy Boundaries 301: Money, Sex, & Power
The Christian Church (DOC) in Georgia provides Healthy Boundaries workshops to ordained and commissioned Disciples ministers and those preparing for the ministry in Georgia and other Regions. The following live virtual workshop (synchronous) is scheduled for 2026, an advanced discussion of healthy boundaries for clergy and church leaders, which builds on the basics and applies boundaries principles to specific situation with an emphasis on power dynamics, finances, sexual harassment, and pornography. It is designed for those who have completed Healthy Boundaries 101 or the equivalent foundational course through another provider.
Healthy Boundaries 301: Money, Sex, & Power
_________, 1:45 - 5:30 pm ET (Part 1)
AND _______ 8:45 am - 12:15 pm ET (Part 2)
Both sessions required
Last day to register
Workshop size limited to 16
Registration fee $75
Workshop leaders, who have been trained and certified by FaithTrust Institute, are Rev. Erica Geralds, Rev. David Kenley, and Rev. Kathy McDowell. This workshop is presented in two half-day ZOOM sessions. Participants must attend BOTH sessions to meet standing requirements of the Christian Church (DOC) in Georgia.
A smart phone, tablet, or computer with a camera is required.
Class participation requires a relatively quiet and private location in your home or office.
You will be contacted by email before the event with further information and materials needed for the workshop.
Because our bi-vocational instructors have cleared their schedules in order to teach, should you need to cancel, no refunds will be given. However, your fee will be credited to a future class. A workshop which does not meet a minimum enrollment will be canceled and refunds will be issued to participants.
Registration and payment for Healthy Boundaries 301 should be paid through the link below. Please check events at www.gadisciples.org for updates. Contact (478) 743-8649 or office@gadisciples.org with questions.
Other Healthy Boundaries Workshops through the Christian Church in Georgia
Healthy Boundaries 101: Fundamentals and Healthy Boundaries 201: Beyond Basics and Into the Digital World are other workshops available through the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Georgia. For more information about scheduling a workshop (minimum enrollment 10) contact Rev. Kathy McDowell.
Healthy Boundaries for Clergy (Other Resources)
Although there are many reasons for participating in Healthy Boundaries workshops in a live setting, schedules sometimes make this difficult. If you are unable to participate in the Healthy Boundaries 301 workshop offered by trained Georgia DOC clergy in 2026, here are two other virtual options (asynchronous) to consider. These workshops may be taken based on your own schedule.
Boundary Training for Clergy
This basic and foundational workshop is offered through Convergence (formerly Center for Progressive Renewal). Each unit includes specific learning objectives, reflections based on theological foundations, case studies, best practices and video interactions. Participants will capture key learnings from each unit and write a 400-600 word reflection at the conclusion of the course. The following topics are covered:
Boundaries in Pastoral Relationships with Adults
Boundaries in Pastoral Relationships with Children & Youth
Boundaries with Finances and Church Business
Boundaries with Social Media
Boundaries for Self-Care
Workshop cost is $129 (with discount code). Learn more about the Convergence workshop here.
Keeping Our Sacred Trust
The Lewis Center for Church Leadership offers ecumenical online workshops on ethical boundaries in ministry. This center is affiliated with Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, D.C. Their course offerings include
Understanding Sexual Ethics (equivalent to foundational workshop required by the Christian Church in Georgia)
Maintaining Boundaries in Digital Age (additional optional workshop)
Assuring Financial Integrity (additional optional workshop)
Each workshop cost is $49. Learn more about the Lewis Center for Church Leadership workshops here.
Required Camp Safety & Healthy Boundaries Training
Prior to each summer camp season, camp staff and volunteers (directors, counselors and CIT’s) are required to complete “Creating a Safe Environment (CASE),” a child safety and healthy boundaries workshop suitable for those working in youth-serving ministries. The 2-hour workshop offered through the Insurance Board and its partner, Praesidium, is a state-of-the-art, research-based training that provides practical solutions to navigating the many "gray areas" that can emerge day-to-day. The workshop will be led by a facilitator via Zoom, and includes video, informative graphics, and discussion. Register using the links below, being sure to select your preferred workshop.
“Creating a Safe Environment”
Sunday, March 22, 2026, 3:00-5:00 pm ET
Last day to register March 19, 2026
Register HERE
“Creating a Safe Environment”
Monday, April 13, 2026, 7:00-9:00 pm ET
Last day to register April 10, 2026
Register HERE
“Creating a Safe Environment”
Monday, May 11, 2026, 7:00-9:00 pm ET
Last day to register May 8, 2026
Register HERE
Workshop leaders, Rev. Katie Bond and Sara Torbert, are experienced educators and clergy with many years of camp experience and leadership.
Camp Christian staff and volunteers are also required to complete a mandated reporter training, which can be completed at a time that is convenient. The Division of Family and Children Resources provides a link to free mandatory training on its website. The course, Mandated Reporters: Critical Links in Protecting Children in Georgia, includes the following topics:
The mandated reporter's role in reporting suspected abuse and neglect.
The physical and behavioral indicators of the legally recognized types of abuse and neglect in Georgia.
Groups of children that may be at higher risk of being abused or neglected.
The steps necessary to report suspected abuse or neglect.
To access the course, simply follow the course link, create an account (check “Community Professional/Volunteer), and view the course, which takes just over an hour. When you have completed the workshop, you will be directed to download your certificate. Please send a copy of the certificate to office@gadisciples.org.