1. Professional Boundaries in Ministry Fall Theological Conference
Intro of self
History of working with boundaries
Rick Loseth, LICSW
PACT 4 Families Collaborative
ext. 2976

2. Welcome Purpose of Morning
spend a couple of hours in discussion on the broad topic of “professional boundaries”
how “electronic communication” has impacted boundaries and your ministry
Why “groups”
First half of training – overview of Boundary Basics
Second Half – Review of Ethics and Practice

3. Introductions Who’s here Length of time in paid ministry
Less than 5 yrs
5 to 10 yrs
10 to 15 yrs
15 plus yrs
Ordained Pastor
Youth Minister
Serve as the only pastor at your church
Serve with another pastor or other staff
BRIEF intro of self – name and where you work/what you do – kids or adults?

4. Boundaries What are Boundaries?
They help define space, what is yours or mine, how we do or not do, etc.
Boundaries are the defining space which clarifies “you” and “me”
Help to make sure we are using time, space, things, feelings and relationships in the most appropriate way
Help ensure the best use of things, use that is consistent with our intentions, and with their original purpose
Boundaries provide for safe connections between individuals
Boundaries – an overview
Purpose – Definitions
In general terms – boundaries imply the defining or determining a limit
WHY ARE BOUNDARIES NECESSARY?
“A professional is a member of one of the learned professions trained to actively apply a specialized body of knowledge”

5. Boundaries Boundaries involves Self Discipline
Are the limits we place on ourselves (discipline)
The limits we place around ourselves (prevent invasion of space, etc)
Boundaries help clarify and communicate our intentions
Agreements with what is appropriate, what is not (cultural influences)
Boundaries are not arbitrary
Boundaries can also be confusing (cultural, family of origin)
Just as boundaries define limits of a parcel of land – there are human boundaries which define personal limits
-They give substance to our human relationships that govern our interactions
-Boundaries influence how we set all our relationships
FRIENDS
FAMILY
-Are intertwined with how we define the roles that our interactions
-Boundaries support relationships and give structure within which relationships can grow
-*They allow us to determine what we are responsible for in a relationship and the appropriate limits of that relationship
Our personal boundaries are often conveyed non-verbally as well as verbally and may be determined by personal world view, by role, by custom and even laws
Are present in every relationship we have, but differ in intensity and practice according to the nature of the relationship
Boundaries help negotiate the relative balance of power present in every relationship*

6. Boundaries Boundaries ultimately convey Respect
Are reasons for boundaries
Setting limits, making agreements in relationships, is an essential way of loving our neighbors as ourselves
Is also the recognition that my actions have potential to be positive or negative
Is the recognition that my actions have potential to be positive or negative

7. Boundaries -summary
Boundaries involve your belief system, values, morals, emotions, and your life experiences
Healthy boundaries serve to define who you are, contain you and protect you
Boundaries are the guidelines that assist you with appropriate closeness and separateness in relations with self and others

8. Boundaries and Relationships
Managing our professional relationships are essential to being effective in our jobs
Professional Boundaries are intended to create safe, positive connections with those we are involved with
Is critically important – our ‘clients’ are all struggling at some level with ‘boundaries’…
In counseling, boundaries are designed o provide relationships with structure and safety
In helping relationships, boundaries are maintained for the benefit of the counselee, who is vulnerable and in need
Boundaries provide structure for the process, safety for the client, and the required distance for effective therapeutic work.
They also become the means by which we manage both power and vulnerability in relationship
The ability to establish “safe” connections is part of our professional responsibility.
The professional role is held by anyone claiming to have special expertise about a particular body of knowledge (or redefine?)

9. Professional vs. Personal Relationships
Professional Personal
At table: identify aspects of Professional relationships – give examples – PAID- TRAINING
ASK SOMEONE TO WRITE DOWN WHAT GROUP IDENTIFIES

10. Professional vs. Personal Relationships
Paid Training Education
Job Description Time Limited
Power Imbalance Supervision
Can “choose clients” Confidentiality
Goals/purpose Records
Licensure Defined place/time to meet
GATHER EXAMPLES – THEN SHOW SLIDE

11. Professional vs. Personal Relationships
Power is unequal
Self disclosure - one way
Generally time-limited
Meeting location defined
Time limited/ session times
Paid for time
Training/education required
Professional standards
Licensure
Records kept
Specific Goals
Personal
Aims at equal power
Two way self-disclosure
Can last forever
Can meet anywhere
No time limits
Unpaid
No training required
No defined standards
No licensure needed
No records kept
No goals
COMAPRE AND CONTRAST THE TWO

12. Professional – Personal - Ministerial Relationships
What is unique about a “Ministerial” relationship as compared to the other two?
What blurs the lines between personal professional ministerial relationships?
What changes in a “ministry” relationship? Does it change?

13. Professional – Personal - Ministerial Relationships
How does “power” influence relationships for those in ministry?
How does our “power” influence communication with members in the congregation? When doing the talking?
When doing the listening?

14. Communication -
All communication has rules – some explicit, others implicit
What are some of these “rules”?
For speaking
For writing

15. A Continuum of Boundary Keeping
Clear / Blurring of / Boundary
Boundary Boundaries Violation
ALWAYS O.K. / SOMETIMES O.K. / NEVER O.K___
USE TO ILLUSTRATE SOME OF THE EXAMPLES OF WHAT HAS BEEN DISCUSSED – SET STAGE FOR DISCUSSION

16. How has electronic communication impacted the way we communicate?
The Social Media Revolution 2012

17. What has changed?................ Expectations Time Access
Feedback/non-verbal
How else??

18. How have the changes in electronic communication affected…..
Your ministry
how you relate to others in the congregation
how you relate to other church staff
Your congregation
How the congregation communicates “formally”
How the congregation communicates “informally”
Share one or two examples of each

19. Impact…… What impact have these changes had on your ministry?
In how you relate to your parishioners?
In how you relate to other staff?
Are they positive? Negative??? Or ?????

20. Impact……
Talk about one “thing” you are doing to positively manage your:
Professional Boundaries
Your Electronic Boundaries
For yourself
For your congregation

21. Guidelines – some ideas
Expectations –what is Professional vs. Personal communication?
Time –when am I communicating electronically?
Access- what needs to be dealt with now vs. waiting?
Feedback/Non- verbal- what needs to be done in person?
What else??

22. Guidelines –Next steps…..
Do I have a set of “guidelines” I use when communicating by /texting/other electronic forms?
Does our church/staff have guidelines for youth and lay leaders to use?
What will I do when I go back to my congregation/ministry setting with the discussion from today?

23. Thanks!
Rick Loseth, LICSW PACT for Families Collaborative ext