Intended audience: ordained & lay ministry leaders; chaplains; faith-based peace workers
Learning objectives & intended outcomes:
During times of extraordinary stress, it is critical that church leaders, chaplains, & peace workers be responsive to their own internal states as they seek to minister to others and promote shalom in the world around us. There is a necessary balance to maintain, considering leaders’ well-being – physically & psychologically – as well as the welfare of those they serve.
In a post-pandemic context, we will explore the multifaceted impacts of new and traumatic stressors. We will take time for experiential reflection on our own physiological, emotional, and behavioral health. We will explore factors that may predispose leaders to burnout & compassion fatigue. Finally, we will review practical & faith-based approaches to reduce overwhelm- necessary for resilience and longevity. Further ministerial resources will be given within this presentation.
About the instructor:
Melissa Hofstetter, PhD, MDiv is an ordained Mennonite minister, having served as district elder in the Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference. She is also a licensed clinical psychologist (CA, PSY25696; AZ #4125). She is the founder of Shepherd Heart. Dr. Hofstetter has served as a seminary instructor in Pastoral Counseling & Congregational Health, and served as adjunct professor in the doctoral and undergraduate psychology departments at Azusa Pacific University, teaching courses in Neuroscience, Adult Development, Family Systems, Cognition, General Psychology, Personality.
Disclaimer:
This seminar is for educational purposes only, and is not a substitute in any way for consultation with an attorney. Dr. Hofstetter is not a lawyer and does not give legal advice of any kind. This seminar is *not* a psychological service. Appropriate referrals to lawyers or clinicians may be offered. You are expected to keep the identities of parishioners and others confidential. Do not share their identifying information in the course of this seminar. Please note that, as a clergy person residing in California, Dr. Hofstetter is a mandated reporter of suspected abuse and neglect of children, dependent adults, and elders.
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