Emotional Intelligence for Ministry

Wisdom for ministering to hearts and minds—including your own.

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As a ministry leader, how do you handle the ups and downs of working with people—wondrously-created, precious-and-beloved, sometimes-difficult people? How do you manage stress, stay grounded, and respond with empathy and grace when emotions are high and relationships are in conflict?

Emotional Intelligence for Ministry invites you to explore these questions with a grounding in theology and psychology, providing a practical guide for developing emotional intelligence skills that will help you lead with confidence and compassion. You’ll dive into the foundations of self-awareness, emotional regulation, methods for addressing conflict, and other key ministry skills.

Through reflective exercises and practical strategies, you’ll explore how to set healthy emotional boundaries, work through conflict constructively, and build resilience for the long haul. You’ll also identify small, daily habits that can create lasting change in how you show up for others—and yourself. With curiosity and care, we’ll journey with you as you grow into a more intentional, empathetic, and sustainable leader.

What You'll Learn

  • Why your emotional intelligence matters—for your own wellbeing and the good of those around you.
  • Skills for addressing conflict in a way that fosters understanding and peace.
  • Habits for building stronger relationships through healthy boundaries and relational maturity.
  • Strategies for communicating effectively and gracefully, grounded in the biblical model of speaking the truth in love.
  • Why resilience and sustainability are essential for ministry—and how to cultivate them.
  • How boundaries and needs are interrelated.
  • Postures for listening to God and growing in faith through emotionally intelligent practices.
  • Ways to recognize your own strengths and growth areas.
  • The power of small daily habits in strengthening emotional intelligence.
  • What it looks like to navigate change and transition with emotional awareness and trust in God.
  • How to incorporate play and joy into your daily life and ministry.
  • A plan for applying what you’ve learned in practical, lasting ways.

About this Course

  • Modules

10

  • Learning Elements

74

  • Videos

18

  • Practices & Activities

21

  • Time

8 hours, 30 minutes

  • Price

$55

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Here's What's Inside...

In this module you will:

  • Develop a working definition of emotional intelligence for ministry work.
  • Reflect on your own strengths and weakness.
  • Listen to God's leading as you begin the course.

In this module you will:

  • Recognize common needs and understand how boundaries and needs are interrelated.
  • Develop communication skills for establishing boundaries.
  • Rest in the God who meets all of your needs.

In this module you will:

  • Learn and practice principles for effective relationships.
  • Establish habits for relationship building.
  • Recognize the image of God in all people that you encounter.

In this module you will:

  • Learn and practice skills for conflict management.
  • Develop graceful and effective communication habits.
  • Examine biblical models for speaking the truth in love.

In this module you will:

  • Understand the importance of resilience and sustainability in ministry.
  • Develop habits for resilience and sustainability.
  • Develop a willingness to obey God around rest and boundaries.

In this module you will:

  • Understand the emotions involved with navigating change.
  • Reflect on your own experiences with transition, grief and hope.
  • Find strength in God's provision.

In this module you will:

  • Understand the emotional and spiritual benefits of play and joy.
  • Develop habits to incorporate play and joy into your life and ministry.
  • Enjoy time with God.

In this module you will:

  • Reflect on and assess your own emotional intelligence.
  • Develop a plan to apply your learning.
  • Rest in the empowerment of the Holy Spirit as you move forward.
You'll Learn How to Shift Ministry Models
A woman wearing a lavender coat, a white beret, and black boots stands facing a church with ornate religious iconography and golden crosses on its facade, framed by decorative iron gates.

Ministry is shifting—have you felt it? The ways we lead, connect, and serve in this world are changing, and that can feel both exciting and overwhelming. This course is here to help you navigate those changes with confidence, giving you the tools to build strong relationships, set healthy boundaries, address conflict, and step into ministry with more resilience and joy.

What to Expect

  • Lifetime access to the course materials, including a comprehensive course handbook.
  • A FREE account inside the Faith+Lead Learning Lab, a private online learning community where you can connect with other learners and leaders walking through this course.
  • If you're already a Faith+Lead member, click here to access this course—it's included in your membership at no additional cost: https://lab.faithlead.org/courses/emotional-intelligence-for-ministry/

Ready to Enroll?

Enroll in this one on-demand course today or unlock free access to this and all on-demand courses plus more with Faith+Lead Membership →

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Access to monthly group coaching

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Access to this on-demand course

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Access to an online supportive community

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Access to 20+ on-demand courses

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Access to all workshops and their recordings

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Access to member-only live Q&A monthly interviews

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Access to monthly group coaching

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Need a scholarship? Apply here.

Looking for just in-time training resources?

Use this on-demand course as a complementary ready-made resource for small groups, Bible studies, discipleship growth, and equipping lay leaders in your specific ministry setting.

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Meet Your Instructors

  • Rev. Jeff Challberg

    Jeff is the manager of Clinical Pastor Education at Fairview Health Services. He has worked in chaplaincy and spiritual care education since 2014, and has served in both acute care and senior living contexts. He is ordained in the American Baptist Churches, USA, and received his MDiv from the University of Chicago Divinity School. Jeff enjoys being active through weightlifting. He finds that emotional health is well understood through metaphors of athletics, including knowing when to rest.

  • Leah Challberg, LICSW

    Leah 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 MDiv from the University of Chicago Divinity School and her MSW (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.

Connect as you learn

Connect inside the Faith+Lead Learning Lab

Learning happens best when you do it together with folks who are on the same journey as you are.

That's why our private social network, the Faith+Lead Learning Lab, hosts conversations about course content with other learners, instructors, TAs, and community leaders.

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Study together with a small group or congregation

Want to bring Emotional Intelligence for Ministry to your Bible study, small group, or even your entire congregation?

Choose "Enroll a Group" at checkout and select how many people you'd like to provide access to the course. You can go through the course together in-person, watch lessons together via Zoom, or even create a private group in the Learning Lab where participants can connect asynchronously.

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The School for Lay Ministry begins May 17th!

  

Step into leadership with resources and community.

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