Higher Ground cohorts provide opportunity for deeper connection to God and to clergy colleagues.

In 2018, the Dakotas Conference was awarded a nearly $1 million grant from the Lilly Endowment as part of its Thriving in Ministry initiative. The grant became the fuel for launching the Higher Ground Initiative in the Dakotas.

Higher Ground is an initiative that promotes total well-being and personal and professional development of clergy.  It includes two major components: a "Recharge-Refocus Retreat Track" that invites clergy at specific junctures in their ministry to engage in learning, reflection, connection, and recommitment to their call, and an "Annual Coaching Track" that provides customized individual and group coaching (e.g. spiritual direction, reflective pastoral supervision, counseling, professional development, etc.) experience for clergy based on goals and needs identified by the pastor, superintendent and/or church needs.

Earlier this year, the Conference was awarded a $500,000 sustainability grant that was matched by the Conference Board of Pensions. This second million dollars will support Higher Ground's work for the next 5-7 years. The sustainability grant also explores adding components for laity to embrace wholistic growth and development as part of the Higher Ground experience.

The expansion and extension of the program provide an opportunity for the leadership of the Higher Ground efforts to re-imagine and re-vision how Higher Ground might continue to positively impact clergy and laity of the Dakotas and to expand upon the strategies and systems used to do so.

Since receiving the grant, nearly 75 clergy have engaged in the retreat track, and almost all clergy have been supported by coaching, cohorts, or training as a direct result of the initiative. The impact of the work has had a ripple effect, helping both clergy and the congregations they lead.

Higher Ground retreats have been held at Terra Sancta Retreat Center in the Black Hills of S.D.

"This is important work because healthy clergy make for healthy ministry," said Rev. Seth LaBounty, Dakotas Conference pastor who serves in Hartford, South Dakota, and has participated in Higher Ground. "This initiative has helped so many of our clergy understand how to best live into the rhythms, patterns, and behaviors that contribute to a wholistic style of health and well-being. That has an effect on their ministry, their families, and even on the work of the greater Dakotas Conference."

"What's more, I have heard from people in my own context who have celebrated the ways in which I am deliberate in my own practices of self-care, and the ways in which it has inspired them to explore similar practices in their own lives," he added. "So the work of the Higher Ground has already begun to spread from clergy to the laity, and I'm excited to see how it may even help inspire other Conferences and ministries beyond our own connection."

Diane Owen, Dakotas-Minnesota Area Director of Clergy Well-being, has been leading the Higher Ground Initiative since 2022. Owen, along with clergy, laity, and individuals with expertise in clergy well-being, participated in a re-imagining process. Rev. Becky Eberhart, Dakotas Conference elder who works for Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, served as the facilitator for the re-imagining process.

"The re-imagining process has been beneficial," said Rev. Julie Gregg, Dakotas Conference pastor who serves in Garretson, South Dakota, and has been a part of the re-imagining team. "It offered a big picture for the direction of Higher Ground. A few key points that stood out to me are the importance of customizing the Higher Ground experience for individuals, the need for silence, solitude, and fellowship, and the significance of setting expectations for clergy well-being."

The team gathered via Zoom for an initial conversation and reflection on the initiative's impacts, including a review of data collected through a formal impact study. The group then gathered in person to brainstorm what the Higher Ground experience and resourcing might look like in the future.

Higher Ground has sponsored trainings such as "Dare to Lead" for clergy in the Dakotas.

"It has been encouraging to see so many different voices and perspectives represented in the re-imagining process. We have clergy who have been through the retreat, those who have not yet been part of it, lay people, and even folks who aren't part of the United Methodist Church, all participating in the conversations on how to best live into the practices of well-being," said Pastor Seth. "The challenge of it all is in finding a way to craft an experience that will help as many people as possible, even while recognizing that each and every person will have different needs and expectations. There is no 'one size fits all' solution to this sort of work."

"I hope that Higher is something clergy look forward to—a ministry that offers soul-rest, renewal, authentic connection, etc.," said Pastor Julie. "Also, I love how during and after the retreats, attendees get to experience Spiritual Direction, Reflective Pastoral Supervision, health coaching, and financial counseling. I think this is brilliant!"

The time together was also an opportunity to hear from partners who have been instrumental in the design and delivery of Higher Ground in these initial years and also express gratitude for the ways in which they have left a lasting impact on clergy and churches in the Dakotas. Those persons were Dr. Shawn Culey, Dr. Susan Reese, and Lin Van Hofwegen. As a former member of the Dakotas Conference Board of Pensions and leader of their Dakota Wholeness efforts, Culey was instrumental in championing initiatives to support clergy in total well-being. Reese and Van Hofwegen came on board in the early days of implementing the grant strategies, helping to design and lead the Recharge-Refocus track and providing individual and group spiritual direction.

"Shawn, Lin, and Susan have been critical in the design and implementation of Higher Ground's Recharge-Refocus experience for our Dakotas clergy, with each of them providing unique and essential talents and gifts to this work," reflected Owen. "Shawn has a heart for Jesus and cares deeply about serving clergy in the Conference. Susan's Spirit-filled insights have ensured experiences have been grounded in spiritual formation and God's prevailing love for our clergy. Lin brings a strategic focus to the work of this team, grounded in wholistic care and compassion for our clergy. Together they have created a transformational experience for those who have participated in the Recharge-Refocus experience."

Higher Ground leaders Susan Reese, Sarah Swantner, Lin Van Hofwegen, Diane Owen, and Shawn Culey.

The gathering was also a time to thank Owen for her caring and strategic leadership of Higher Ground. She stepped into the role at a crucial time in the life of the Dakotas Conference, as clergy navigated the effects of the pandemic and the spiritual and emotional toll of disaffiliation.

"Diane has played a pivotal role in the development of Higher Ground in the Dakotas, in addition to clergy well-being and wholistic leadership development across the Area," said Rebecca Trefz, assistant to the Bishop for connection and communications in the Dakotas. "Her strategic gifts, ability to develop systems and relationships, and care for the whole person have been instrumental in the growth in depth and reach of Higher Ground."

Owen will be shifting to serving part-time in 2026. She will continue to serve as the DK-MN Area Director of Clery Well-being as well as care for the annual coaching portion of the Higher Ground Initiative, working with clergy and conference leadership to identify individual and group needs for personal and professional wholistic leadership development. One outcome of the re-imagining process will be identifying the staffing leadership needed to support the other goals of Higher Ground.

The overall spirit of the re-imaging process and time together was one of gratitude and hope – thankfulness for the gift of the grant itself, the Spirit-inspired vision of so many that made it possible, and the impact it has had on clergy; and hope for the ways God will continue to work through these efforts in the future and bear fruit beyond what could have ever been imagined seven years ago.

"My hope is that the Dakotas will be able to help shape and inspire others across our United Methodist connection (or even beyond) into investing in the well-being of their clergy and laity," added Pastor Seth. "After all, clergy are not the only ones who carry the burdens of ministry. Everyone can benefit from this experience, and I would love to see the work of the Higher Ground become a fundamental part of our culture in the Dakotas as we continue to advocate for that wholistic well-being."

"In my opinion, Higher Ground is an essential ministry created to help and support our clergy so we can serve and love God and His people, out of who we are made to be. Higher Ground recognizes that we have multiple dimensions that contribute to our well-being," shared Pastor Julie. "I appreciate how Higher Ground provides resources, assessments, and practical guides in these areas so we can embrace our vocation with joy, rest, trust, and love."

Members of the re-imagine team included: Rev. Julie Gregg (United Church of Garretson), Rev. Cory Thrall (Bismarck Legacy UMC), Rev. Don Vanderlip (Sioux Falls Southern Hills UMC), Rev. Teresa Whetsel (West Fargo Flame of Faith UMC), Rev. Seth LaBounty (Hartford UMC),  Rev. Laurie Kidd (retired pastor serving Sioux Falls Wesley), Sarah Swantner (financial counselor), Beth Broadbooks (spiritual director), Dr. Shawn Culey (Higher Ground advisory team), Diane Owen (Area Director of Clergy Well-being), Rev. Rebecca Trefz (Asst. to the Bishop for Connection and Communications), and Rev. Becky Eberhart - facilitator.