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Boundaries for Christian Leaders
Safeguard your community with wise and faithful frameworks.
About this Course
Cultivate strong, God‑centered boundaries in every dimension of ministry—personal, interpersonal, financial, digital, and beyond—to protect your integrity and empower your community to thrive.
What You’ll Be Able to Do:
Have you ever seen the fallout when boundaries in ministry break down—or were never set in the first place? It can happen in relationships, when things start to blur and feel not-quite-appropriate, or it can happen when a ministry leader gets caught in a pattern of sacrificing time and energy beyond what’s healthy. It can happen in youth ministry, or in a church’s financial practices, or in how church members communicate with one another. So how can you be a part of stewarding and safeguarding your community through the cultivation of clear and wisely-designed boundaries?
Boundaries for Christian Leaders was designed to equip ministry leaders with wisdom, theology, and practical tools for setting and maintaining healthy boundaries in every area of ministry. Boundaries aren’t walls meant to restrict: they’re a gift from God, and they’re necessary. Intentional frameworks for maintaining appropriate boundaries can allow you and those you serve to thrive. This course lays a foundation of theological insight and real-world application, so that church leaders can navigate everything from sexuality to technology with clarity, integrity, and grace.
Modules
Welcome
Get oriented to the course, meet your instructor, download the interactive handbook, and more.
God’s Gift of Boundaries
In this module you will:
- Learn how boundaries are a gift from God.
- Develop godly humility and discernment.
- Identify your own and your community's healthy boundaries.
Interpersonal Boundaries
In this module you will:
- Learn principles for establishing and maintaining healthy interpersonal boundaries around energy and time.
- Celebrate your identity in Christ.
- Identify areas for interpersonal boundary improvement.
Physical and Sexual Boundaries
In this module you will:
- Learn principles for establishing and maintaining healthy physical and sexual boundaries personally and in your organization.
- Express gratitude for the gift of sexuality and the responsibilities that accompany it.
- Develop a set of guidelines to establish and maintain these boundaries.
Boundaries with Children and Youth
In this module you will:
- Learn why children and youth need special care.
- Appreciate childlike faith.
- Develop a resource list for ensuring the safety of children and youth in your church.
Financial Boundaries
In this module you will:
- Learn best principles for safeguarding and tracking finances.
- Develop a stewardship mindset.
- Examine your ministry's financial practices.
Data and Digital Boundaries
In this module you will:
- Learn principles for keeping your ministry's data and digital platforms safe.
- Develop spiritual practices around technology.
- Examine your ministry's strengths and weaknesses in this area.
Boundaries in Community
In this module you will:
- Learn how shared boundaries can strengthen your community.
- Develop gratitude for God's gift of co-laborers.
- Experiment with a community covenant and a plan for addressing boundary problems.
Completing the Course
Find out your next steps as you complete the course. You'll also be encouraged to submit feedback about your course.
One-time purchase
$55
With Faith+Lead Membership
$0*
Get a free public display license to use for group study.
$0*
*by joining Faith+Lead Membership for just $19.95 per month
- Modules:
7 Modules
- Format:
Self-Paced, On-Demand
- Access:
Lifetime Access
Get to Know Your Instructors
Joy McElroy
Joy McElroy is the Executive Director of Cherish All Children, a service
within Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota. Joy’s family is active at Christ on Capitol Hill Lutheran Church in St. Paul, and in community-based initiatives to end racism and support youth in our communities. She loves the outdoors, especially time shared with their young adult son and daughter currently away at college.
Learn more about the organization’s work at www.cherishallchildren.org.
Terri Elton
The Rev. Dr. Terri Martinson Elton began teaching at Luther Seminary as an adjunct instructor in 2004 before becoming the director of the Center for Children, Youth and Family Ministry in 2008. In addition to her continued work with the Center, Elton accepted the position of associate professor of Children, Youth and Family Ministry in 2010 and associate professor of Leadership in 2014.
Prior to her call to Luther Seminary, Elton served as an associate to the bishop in the Saint Paul Area Synod where her responsibilities included working with congregations, leadership development, First Call theological education and youth and family ministry.
Elton holds a B.A. degree in communications from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn. (1986). She earned both her M.A. (1998) and Ph.D. (2007) degrees in Congregational Mission and Leadership from Luther Seminary.
Leah Challberg
Leah Challberg, L.I.C.S.W., owns and operates Rootwise Mental Wellness as a mental health therapist. She was the co-lead pastor at Northeast United Methodist in Minneapolis from 2018-2022. Her therapy work has led to an expertise in trauma, aging, chronic illness, spirituality, and grief and loss. Leah obtained her M.Div. from the University of Chicago Divinity School and her M.S.W. (Master of Social Work) from Loyola University Chicago. She was an avid player of softball and volleyball, which led to her breaking her nose twice. She loves to play Dungeons & Dragons.
Ready to Enroll?
Enroll in this on-demand course today or unlock free access to this and all Faith+Lead’s on-demand courses, plus more with a Faith+Lead Membership.
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One-time purchase
- Access to this on-demand course
- Access the leaders guide for group study
- Access the course workbook for individual study
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- Access to 40+ on-demand courses
- Access every live and recorded workshop
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- Access to this on-demand course
- Access to all 40+ on-demand courses
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What to Expect with a Faith+Lead Academy Course
You’ll get a transformative learning experience that combines trustworthy theological teaching with spiritual practices, interactive elements, and a supportive online community.
Know
Expand your theological toolkit with fresh insights for today’s ministry landscape. Connect timeless wisdom with practical frameworks for navigating change.
Be
Do
Practice skills to lead confidently in your ministry context. Take actionable steps to invite your community into God’s unfolding story.
Every Academy course is designed to
Help your growth in one of these core areas:
Develop a Christ-centered identity, grounded in theology, scripture, and spiritual practice, that empowers community members to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in everyday life.
Tell the story of Jesus and invite neighbors into Jesus’ way of life and love through words and actions they can recognize.
Listen deeply, name God’s presence in the midst of everyday life, and form life-giving relationships across all dimensions of diversity—both within and beyond the church.
Through mutual relationships with the neighbors among whom you’re hosted, join in acts of compassion, justice, and reconciliation as a witness to the ministry of Jesus—especially in places of suffering and despair.
Harness skills of agile leadership, stewardship, fundraising, entrepreneurism, and management to be nimble enough to respond to a changing cultural landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect when I take an Academy course?
Academy courses consist of 6-10 lessons or modules, each walking you through the “know, be, do” learning framework. You’ll learn some new information with instructor videos and other resources (know). You’ll engage in a spiritual practice that will help you develop your faith around the topic (be). Then, you’ll be asked to apply what you’ve learned through activities completed online or in the “real world” (do).
How long will it take me to complete a course?
Each module is designed to take 15-45 minutes. Some learners complete the course in as little as one day. Some do a module a day or even a module a week. We suggest allowing some time between modules to process what you are learning, but not so much time that you lose momentum.
What resources are available if I’m a group leader?
Each course includes a flexible leader’s guide with multiple pathways for group facilitation. You’ll find thought-provoking discussion questions and practical activities that connect faith with daily life, designed to work with whatever preparation time you have available. These resources equip you to foster meaningful discipleship experiences that meet your community where they are.
What do I need to know about the free private online social group?
The private online group allows you to connect with others. Because our courses don’t have a required start or stop date, you will encounter others in different places in the course and even in different courses altogether. This is by design. Feel free to interact as much or as little as you like.
What should I do if I have questions or problems with my registration?
Reach out via email to faithlead@luthersem.edu with your question and we’ll get back to you with a response within two business days.
What if I have a suggestion or request for a course topic?
The best way to connect with us is to complete this form with your suggestion. We always want to hear your feedback. You may also include it in the comments section of the course evaluation.
Don’t see your question addressed?
Email us at support@faithlead.org for more information. We’ll be delighted to connect!