Trauma-informed leadership

Trauma-informed leadership gives both clergy and lay church leaders the tools to address trauma in our midst, so leaders can heal and help all people go and make disciples. The Minnesota Conference encourages all clergy and church leaders to take part in the following learning resources and training opportunities to better serve our communities.

Introductory thoughts from Bishop Lanette

"Trauma-informed leadership begins with the honest acknowledgment that we are all shaped by our stories...some beautiful, some broken. It’s the understanding that pain, when left unattended, becomes the place from which we lead, speak, and make decisions. But when pain is named, tended, and healed, it becomes wisdom. 

“As leaders, we carry both our own wounds and the collective wounds of the communities we serve. Trauma-informed leadership asks us to pause before we react, to listen beneath behavior for the story, and to create spaces of safety and trust where healing can take root. It is not about fixing others; it is about cultivating awareness, empathy, and grace in the systems we shape and the souls we steward. 

“We develop our leaders as trauma-informed because the Church cannot be whole if her shepherds lead from places of unhealed harm. When we ignore our own trauma, we risk perpetuating the very pain we seek to heal. But when we engage in our own healing, we learn to lead from our scars—those sacred marks that testify to both suffering and survival—instead of our open wounds, which still bleed. To lead from our scars is to lead with humility, compassion, and courage. It is to say, ‘I’ve been trauma-impacted, and grace met me there.’” 

– Bishop Lanette Plambeck

Read more in the article Intro to Trauma-Informed Leadership

Training and Opportunities from the Dakotas-Minnesota Area of The UMC

Safer People, Stronger Church: Practicing Trauma-Informed Leadership Webinar: Nov. 18, 6:30-7:45 p.m., online. Clergy and laity are encouraged to begin or continue their journey in becoming a self-aware, trauma-informed leader. The recording of this upcoming webinar, along with any handouts or guides from the presenters, will be posted on this webpage when available.
Safer People, Stronger Church: Trauma-Informed Leadership: In-person, full-day version. Tentatively scheduled for Spring 2026 in Minnesota and Fall 2026 in the Dakotas

Additional resources (books, articles, videos) can be found here.
 

Practical Church Leadership Certificate Program

The Practical Church Leadership Certificate Program is offered through Dakota Wesleyan University beginning with an in-person gathering usually in July of each year at DWU in Mitchell, S.D. The PCL is a year-long, graduate level certificate program that is focused on these areas:

• Financial Resource Development 
• Financial Resource Management
• Governance, Personnel, and HR Management
• Vision, Strategy, and Evaluation
• Communications and Community Outreach
• Applied Project (a year-long course supported by coaching)

View a detailed calendar.
Find additional descriptions of the PCL. Review the 2024 Impact Report to learn more about the PCL

There are three cohort gatherings (two in-person in Mitchell, SD and one likely virtual), and the rest is delivered through online learning. You will earn 21 credits through this program, of which 18 may be applied to an MBA or a graduate degree at DWU. Past cohorts have said the learning tremendously enhanced their leadership capabilities!

This unique opportunity is made possible through grants, donors, and the Board of Ordained Ministry. We are able to provide $6,500 of the $7,500 tuition cost for those accepted to the program. We ask the applicant to contribute $250 and the applicant’s church(es) to contribute $750.

Clergy learning together. (photo by Dave Stucke)

Completion of a short application is required before completing the DWU application.  We want you to prayerfully consider the opportunity because we have seen the positive impact this program has had for past participants. And we want to invest in your leadership!  It is important for you to consider if this is the right season for you to participate, but if you discern it is, you will find it worth the investment.

The deadline to submit your application is usually every spring.  An application is provided with all the details/dates/criteria in January each year. Your church’s leadership is asked to endorse and financially support your participation as part of the application process. (You will find the link to the endorsement form within the application.) Access DWU’s program description. 
More questions? Do you want to talk with a former participant and colleague about their experience? Please email Diane Owen at diane.owen@dkmnareaumc.org.
 

Clergy Leadership Academy (CLA)

Previously known as Provisional Training, this three-year  learning experience equips leaders with essential skills and practices to become bold, Spirit-led leaders who can shape and lead fearless, Spirit-led congregations into the mission field, offering Christ to all. We recognize that anyone new to ministry – for example, LLPs – will benefit from this training and are now welcome to attend. This training is still a mandatory requirement from the Board of Ordained Ministry for provisional members.

The CLA meets in 3-day sessions, twice a year—once in September/October and once in January/February. Community is built as peers engage in learning, covenant groups and mentoring relationships over three years.  The CLA welcomes a new group each fall. If you are interested in joining the next group, please contact us via email. Seasoned clergy are also welcomed.

Financial Assistance for Clergy Development

Clergy gather in groups to learn together. Photo by Dave Stucke, Dakotas Conference.

The Dakotas Conference provides financial resources for incoming, new and active clergy through financial stewardship training, grants, loans and scholarships.  Here are the resources available.

Continuing education funding request form
Continuing education credit reporting form

Merit Scholarship - Offered through the Dakotas Conference and the Dakotas Foundation.  Amount is dependent upon the number of applicants and amount of funds available.  In previous years, close to $100,000 has been available for distribution.  Candidate must express intent to serve in the Dakotas Annual Conference for a minimum of 5 years following graduation.  Application deadline is April 1.  Students may reapply each year they are enrolled.
Excellence in Clergy Leadership Scholarship - Offered through GBHEM.org in partnership with the Dakotas Conference and Dakotas Foundation.  Amount awarded from $2,000 - $10,500.  Application deadline is March 5.
Find more resources and information for financial well-being here. 

The Finance Office and the Dakotas Methodist Foundation offer workshops. Contact them by e-mail or phone 605-990-7790 for more information.

Guidelines and policies

Here are some guidelines and policies that the Dakotas Conference has in place to guide the professional practive of clergy.

Clergy effectiveness
Basic sexual misconduct policy
Social media guidelines