
Grand Rapids Theological SeminaryResilience: Finding Wholeness in
Ministry By Way of the Cross
Talking Points Live Virtual Series
Fall 2020
How do you seek resilience in ministry as a pastor or ministry leader? What does self-care look like when a pandemic has disrupted everything you do? How do you care for all of the needs out there and also take care of yourself? In this sacrificial calling, how might the cross and our union with Christ point a way forward?
In August 2020, Grand Rapids Theological Seminary hosted a series of free live virtual events where we explored these and other questions about resilience, wellbeing and effectiveness in ministry (see speaker and recording list below). In addition to the events themselves, we also developed seven studies that invite active engagement with the conference topics (released in March 2021). These studies provide a way for pastors and ministry leaders to engage others in their context in discussion about how to pursue resilience and wholeness in ministry by way of the cross.
Research shows there are certain keys to cultivating a sustainable, sacrificial yet fulfilling ministry. Explore that research with us and hear from those who are walking the road themselves. If you’re in pastoral or ministry leadership, the church needs you to be healthy. We invite you to explore the Resilience series of recordings below and consider implementing the Resilience Curriculum studies in your context.


Resilience Curriculum
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. In March 2021, we launched seven studies that invite active engagement with the conference topics.
Series Background and Schedule
Research on pastoral and ministry leadership portrays the pastor as a person working a demanding job that has responsibilities for which he or she feels ill-prepared. These realities often erode their well-being and lead to shortened ministries and suffering. For example:
- Most pastors rate their stress level at moderately high or higher.
- Nearly one-third of pastors are at risk of burnout.
- Many pastors have experienced depression, and some have struggled with addiction.
- Many feel they cannot be authentic in their work.
- Many wish they had been better prepared for leadership and management in the church: 29% wanted to be better prepared for the administrative burden of pastoring, 21% for balancing leadership and administration, 19% for challenges in leadership and 17% in church politics. Fewer than one-third of pastors consider themselves “excellent” at managing church finances.
These challenges can often feel unforgiving like waves pounding the rocks of a shoreline, hitting from different directions, repeatedly and relentlessly. Internal and external stressors, feelings of being inadequate and the weight of the role can erode pastoral well-being, leaving us to wonder, “What does well-being look like for pastors? How can a pastor or ministry leader practice self-care for sustainable, healthy ministry while serving in a calling that is inherently self-sacrificial? In what ways might the Cross show us how to find wholeness in ministry?”
GRTS invites pastors, ministry leaders and those who love them to engage these important questions through the special Talking Points virtual series below and the Resilience Curriculum. Together, we seek to learn what resilience in ministry looks like and how to find wholeness by way of the cross.
01
Caring for Your Soul: Finding Contentment in God and Practicing the Sabbath
Sean Nemecek, PIR Ministries
Aug. 3, 2020 | 1:30-2:30 p.m. EST
02
The Way of the Cross: A Biblical Framework for Wellbeing, Suffering
Dr. Ingrid Faro, Northern Seminary
Aug. 24, 2020 | 1:30-2:30 p.m. EST
03
What Is Wellbeing? Insights from the Flourishing in Ministry Project at Notre Dame University
Dr. Matt Bloom, Notre Dame University
Aug. 31, 2020 | 1:30-2:30 p.m. EST
04
What Is a Strong Identity? Insights from the Flourishing in Ministry Project at Notre Dame University
Dr. Matt Bloom, Notre Dame University
Sept. 14, 2020 | 1:30-2:30 p.m. EST
05
Finding Wholeness Despite Painful Circumstances: What We Can Learn From Frederick Douglass
Dr. Danjuma Gibson, Calvin Theological Seminary
Sept. 28, 2020 | 11 a.m. – Noon EST
06
Pastoral Identity, Leadership, and Resilience: Seeking Wholeness in the Daily Tasks of Ministry
Dr. Bob Burns, Church of the Good Shepherd, Durham, N.C.
Oct. 12, 2020 | 1:30-2:30 p.m. EST
07
Pastoral Panel Discussion: Wellbeing, Identity and Leadership
Panelists Rob Peterson, Becky Poor, Nate Wagner, Kizombo Kalumbula and more!
Oct. 26, 2020 | 1:30-2:30 p.m. EST
08
Wholeheartedness: Busyness, Exhaustion, and Healing the Divided Self
Dr. Chuck DeGroat, Western Theological Seminary
Nov. 9, 2020 | 1:30-2:30 p.m. EST
09
Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership
Ruth Haley Barton, Transforming Center
Nov. 30, 2020 | 2:30-3:30 p.m. EST
Speakers and Panelists
We are excited to bring together a roster of keynote speakers and panelists whose expertise and personal experience give them unique and important voices in this conversation.