MVP Training & Formation

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Formation for faithful leadership. Explore courses for CREs, pastors, elders, deacons, and other church leaders.

Training scheduleLeadership pathsCatalog source: Church Commons

Course information is maintained by Church Commons and refreshed automatically on MVP. Course numbers identify curriculum areas, not a learner’s experience. Prerequisites apply only when listed.

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FORM 104 · 100 Series

Boundaries in Christian Care

Ecclesial Structure and Accountability

About this course

FORM 104 is a conversation-based, three-session course for pastors, commissioned pastors, church staff, elders, deacons, volunteers, and other participants in Christian ministry. The course treats boundaries as practices of attention that cultivate God's shalom and protect the flourishing, agency, dignity, and safety of people entrusted to Christian care. Participants work with realistic cases involving spiritual intimacy, attraction, communication tempo, unavoidable multiple relationships, gifts and money, confidentiality and secrecy, days off and emergencies, spiritual manipulation, children, youth, adults with vulnerabilities, disclosures, reporting, and accountability.

The live course includes three two-hour sessions plus approximately thirty minutes of preparation and a brief post-course knowledge check. Completion requires attendance at all three sessions, participation in case practice, satisfactory completion of the knowledge check, and acknowledgment of the policies that govern the participant's setting. The curriculum includes sexual misconduct and child sexual abuse prevention content, but the participant's presbytery or other governing body determines whether this offering satisfies its training requirements. Recertification is required at least every thirty-six months where PC(USA) polity applies.

This curriculum provides education, not legal advice, therapy, an investigation, or a substitute for adopted policy. Participants must follow current civil law, denominational polity, employer requirements, and local policy.

Course objectives

  • Describe the ethical and theological foundations for healthy boundaries in ministry.
  • Identify behaviors that violate ministerial boundaries and recognize situations of increased risk.
  • Interpret and apply PC(USA) policies related to misconduct, harassment, protection of vulnerable persons, and anti-racism.
  • Respond appropriately to concerns, disclosures, and boundary violations in accordance with established procedures.
  • Articulate the role of boundaries in fostering trust, safety, accountability, and justice within the church.
  • Demonstrate readiness to serve in commissioned ministry with integrity and responsibility.
  • Be able to explain to those in their ministry why Healthy Boundaries and Healthy Boundaries Training are important.
  • Course Note:
  • This course is mandatory for commissioning and must be completed and renewed as required by the PC(USA).
  • Completion of this course does not replace, but complements, ongoing supervision and accountability structures.

Who may participate?

All church leaders unless a prerequisite or a particular offering states otherwise.