Resilience Curriculum
Sometimes, pastors and ministry leaders feel like they have been dashed against the rocks. Waves—caused by external and internal crises—break around them, leaving them depleted and struggling to find the strength to serve those God has called them to lead. How can they stay afloat amidst all that threatens their wholeness?
Guided Studies for Small Groups and Individuals
Through the 2020 Talking Points Conference, we listened to pastors, theologians and researchers as they taught us about resilience and finding wholeness in ministry by way of the cross. But we wanted to keep the conversation going and equip pastors, ministry leaders and those who care for them with resources to sustain them in their work. To that end, we have developed seven studies that invite active engagement with the conference topics.
Study 1 | Preparing for Resilient Ministry
Develop healthy expectations, and create good habits while in a ministry preparation program. Study 1 features video reflections from local pastors.
Study 2 | Burnout and Resilience
Become equipped to identify symptoms of burnout in yourself and your ministry colleagues. Study 2 features video reflections from Bob Burns and local pastors.
Study 3 | Self-Care in Ministry
Learn what wellbeing is, why it is important and how to cultivate it as a pastor or ministry leader. Study 3 features video reflections from Matt Bloom and Danjuma Gibson, in addition to local pastors.
Study 4 | Pursuing Wholeness in Community
Understand the importance of community for pursuing resilience and wellbeing in ministry as a pastor or ministry leader. Study 4 features a video reflection from Chuck DeGroat.
Study 5 | Wholeness by Way of the Cross
Recognize threats to your wholeness as a ministry student or leader. Study 5 features video reflections from Ingrid Faro, Matt Bloom, Chuck DeGroat, Danjuma Gibson and local pastors.
Study 6 | Wellbeing for Leadership Teams
Understand what wellbeing is, why it is important and how to cultivate it as a ministry leadership team. Study 6 features video reflections from Matt Bloom, Danjuma Gibson and local pastors.
Study 7 | Caring for your Pastor
Learn to care for your pastors and ministry staff well as a church leadership team. Study 7 features video reflections from Matt Bloom, Chuck DeGroat and a local pastor.
About the Speakers
We are excited to have brought together a roster of keynote speakers and panelists whose expertise and personal experience give them unique and important voices in this conversation. Select a name to learn more about their background and involvement in the study.
Ruth Haley Barton
Educated at Northern Seminary and the University of Loyola Institute for Pastoral Studies, Ruth has authored numerous articles and books, including “Pursuing God’s Will Together: A Discernment Practice for Leadership Groups,” “Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry,” “Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation,” “Invitation to Solitude and Silence: Experiencing God’s Transforming Presence,” and “Invitation to Retreat: The Gift and Necessity of Time Away with God.”
Ruth has been a student, a practitioner, a teacher and a leader in the area of Christian spirituality and spiritual formation for over 20 years, and as the founder of the Transforming Center, she leads the two-year Transforming Community experience, guiding full-time ministry people in learning and practicing sacred rhythms in their personal and leadership lives.
Presentation
Matt Bloom
Matt teaches courses on innovation and design thinking. He has worked with a variety of not-for-profit organizations, both in the United States and internationally, helping them learn about and integrate wellbeing research into their programs and initiatives.
Presentation
Scholar Interviews
The following studies in the Resilience curriculum feature interviews with Matt Bloom.
Study 3 | Self-Care in Ministry
Study 5 | Wholeness by Way of the Cross
Bob Burns
Bob is the author of numerous books and articles. His books include “Resilient Ministry: What Pastors Told Us About Surviving and Thriving” and “The Politics of Ministry: Navigating Power Dynamics and Negotiating Interests” (both with Tasha D. Chapman and Donald C. Guthrie) as well as “Recovery From Divorce,” “The Adult Child of Divorce” (with Michael Brissett) and “The Fresh Start Divorce Recovery Workbook” (with Thomas Whiteman). Bob and his wife Janet have been married for 42 years and have two sons and eight grandchildren.
Presentation
Scholar Interviews
The following study in the Resilience curriculum features an interview with Bob Burns.
Chuck DeGroat
Dr. Chuck DeGroat serves as professor of counseling and christian spirituality at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Mich., and co-founder and a senior fellow at Newbigin House of Studies in San Francisco. He is the author of several books, including “Wholeheartedness: Busyness, Exhaustion, and Healing the Divided Self” (March 2016) and “When Narcissism Comes to Church: Healing Your Community from Emotional and Spiritual Abuse” (March 2020).
Chuck is also a licensed therapist, retreat leader and spiritual director. He has been married to Sara for 25 years and has two daughters.
Presentation
Scholar Interviews
The following studies in the Resilience curriculum feature interviews with Chuck DeGroat.
Study 4 | Pursuing Wholeness in Community
Ingrid Faro
Ingrid is an international speaker at conferences and churches and writes on topics that include navigating evil and suffering, women in the Bible, forgiveness, the goodness of God, identity in Christ, discipleship and leadership. Her forthcoming books are “Evil in Genesis” and “Honest Answers: Exploring God Questions with Your Tween.” Ingrid has lived in Israel and Sweden and is a regular teacher and preacher in China.
Previously, Ingrid worked in nutrition, including as an associate professor and as an entrepreneur in health insurance. She has a married son and married daughter and is a happy grandmother.
Ingrid’s heart motivation is to encourage people, help them navigate the sufferings of this world and grow in thriving relationship with God and others.
Presentation
Scholar Interviews
The following study in the Resilience curriculum features an interview with Ingrid Faro.
Danjuma Gibson
Dr. Gibson earned his degrees from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary (Ph.D.).; Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (M.A., Urban Ministry and Master of Christian Studies); DePaul University (M.B.A.); and Morehouse College (B.A.). He received his clinical training from the Center for Religion and Psychotherapy of Chicago where he earned an advanced certificate in psychotherapy and religion.
Presentation
Scholar Interviews
The following studies in the Resilience curriculum feature interviews with Danjuma Gibson.
Study 3 | Self-Care in Ministry
Sean Nemecek
Sean’s goal is to invest in your pastor’s joy for the good of the church.
Presentation
Panelists
In addition to the speakers above, the curriculum features a panel of local pastors, including:
- Dr. Kizombo Kalumbula, Tabernacle Community Church, Grand Rapids, Mich.
- Dr. Rob Peterson, Evangelical Covenant Church
- Pastor Nate Wagner, Sparta Baptist Church, Sparta, Mich.
Local Pastors
We interviewed six local pastors for the Resilience project. They are featured in the curriculum as follows:
Mike Bartlett, Redemption City Church (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
Joy Bonnema, Madison Square North (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
- Study 1 | Preparing for Resilient Ministry
- Study 2 | Burnout and Resilience
- Study 3 | Self-Care in Ministry
- Study 6 | Wellbeing for Leadership Teams
Dr.Walter Gibson, Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church (Lansing, Mich.)
Karen Ingebretson, Thornapple Covenant Church (Ada, Mich.)
- Study 1 | Preparing for Resilient Ministry
- Study 2 | Burnout and Resilience
- Study 5 | Wholeness by Way of the Cross
Mark Shaw, Calvary Baptist Church (Greenville, Mich.)
- Study 1 | Preparing for Resilient Ministry
- Study 2 | Burnout and Resilience
- Study 5 | Wholeness by Way of the Cross
Ben Vaught, Ada Bible Church (Ada, Mich.)

Darrell Yoder
Program Director
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Office Location
3000 Leonard Street NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525Hours
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