A Sacred Trust

Boundary Issues for Clergy and Spiritual Teachers
A Four-Video Series with Facilitator’s Guide

Produced by the Center for the Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence
Review by Pat Hoertdoerfer
Children, Family, and Intergenerational Programs Director, UUA
Boston, MA

As religious leaders we experience a call to serve and nurture others in our communities. Our work is guided by the respect we have for our congregants/students and by the trust they have in us to nurture their spiritual well-being. When we do not respect their separateness or use their vulnerabilities to satisfy our personal needs, we cross boundaries inappropriately and betray a sacred trust. Boundaries shape our relationships and require definition. As leaders we need to understand that boundaries are complex and the dynamics of power and vulnerability challenge us to clarify ministerial roles and responsibilities.

Although A Sacred Trust, a video series with an accompanying facilitator’s guide about boundaries, has been developed for spiritual leaders from the Buddhist, Christian, and Jewish traditions, UU faith communities and UU leaders will find the materials relevant and easy to adapt. The primary goals of this resource are to increase awareness of the need for healthy and appropriate boundaries in the clergy/congregant relationship;
to illustrate the impact of appropriate vs. inappropriate boundaries in promoting effective ministry; and
to provide clergy with guidelines and suggestions for developing appropriate boundaries and necessary self-care strategies.

The series of four videos includes

Video 1: Boundaries, Power and Vulnerability
Video 2: Dating, Friendships, Dual Relationships, Gifts
Video 3: The Pulpit, Transference, Hugging and Touching, Intimacy
Video 4: Personal Needs and Self-Care, Red Flags, Final Reflections

The facilitator’s guide includes:

General information with background and discussion guidelines
Session plans for each of the four videos, with handouts
Opening and closing prayers/meditations for four video sessions
Particular boundary issues for African American faith communities, Asian and Pacific Islander Communities, Jewish communities, Latina/o communities, and B/G/L/T clergy and spiritual teachers
“Sacred Trust: A Vital Concern for Lay Leaders”
suggested resources

To order, contact the Faith Trust Institute in Seattle, Washington, phone: 206-634-1903, www.faithtrustinstitute.org