Pastoral Care: Holy Listening
A CCSW Learn event focused on compassionate listening, visitation, grief care, and creating a culture of care within the congregation.
What do I do when I don’t know what to say?
Pastoral care is not about having perfect words. Often, the most meaningful ministry begins with presence, listening, and learning how to walk alongside others with the compassion of Christ.
Join us Online, for CCSW Learn: Pastoral Care — Holy Listening with facilitator Rev. Dr. Darren Phelps on Saturday, August 15, from 10:00 AM–4:00 PM Central / 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Mountain Time
This event is designed for clergy, elders, deacons, commissioned ministers, and anyone in the church who is passionate about caring for congregants and strengthening skills of Christ-like compassionate care.
Together, we’ll explore the spiritual practice and practical skill of listening and discuss how congregations can create a culture of care. As we touch on visitation, grief care, and compassionate presence, we’ll wrestle with a question many church leaders ask:
“What do I do when I don’t know what to say?”
Participants will gain practical tools, deeper confidence, and faithful perspective for caring ministry in everyday congregational life.
This event is part of foundational training for commissioned ministers and counts toward continuing education hours for clergy.
Questions? Contact Rev. Jennifer Steele-Lantis: [email protected]
Join us Online, for CCSW Learn: Pastoral Care — Holy Listening with facilitator Rev. Dr. Darren Phelps on Saturday, August 15, from 10:00 AM–4:00 PM Central / 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Mountain Time
This event is designed for clergy, elders, deacons, commissioned ministers, and anyone in the church who is passionate about caring for congregants and strengthening skills of Christ-like compassionate care.
Together, we’ll explore the spiritual practice and practical skill of listening and discuss how congregations can create a culture of care. As we touch on visitation, grief care, and compassionate presence, we’ll wrestle with a question many church leaders ask:
“What do I do when I don’t know what to say?”
Participants will gain practical tools, deeper confidence, and faithful perspective for caring ministry in everyday congregational life.
This event is part of foundational training for commissioned ministers and counts toward continuing education hours for clergy.
Questions? Contact Rev. Jennifer Steele-Lantis: [email protected]
Event Details
Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026 (ONLINE)
Time: 10:00 AM–4:00 PM Central / 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Mountain Time
Facilitator: Rev. Dr. Darren Phelps
Continuing Education: Counts toward continuing education hours for clergy
Commissioned Ministry: Part of foundational training for commissioned ministers
Time: 10:00 AM–4:00 PM Central / 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Mountain Time
Facilitator: Rev. Dr. Darren Phelps
Continuing Education: Counts toward continuing education hours for clergy
Commissioned Ministry: Part of foundational training for commissioned ministers
Learning Focus
Participants will explore:
- Listening as a spiritual practice
- Creating a culture of care in the congregation
- Visitation and grief care
- Compassionate responses in difficult moments
- Pastoral care with sensitivity to culture and context
- How to care faithfully when you don’t have the perfect words
Who Should Attend
This CCSW Learn event is designed for:
- Clergy and commissioned ministers
- Elders and deacons
- Pastoral care teams and Stephen Ministers
- Chaplains and spiritual caregivers
- Church staff and ministry leaders
- Seminary students and ministry candidates
- Anyone passionate about caring for others with compassion, empathy, and faithful presence
Whether you are experienced in pastoral care or just beginning to explore this ministry, this workshop will offer practical tools, meaningful conversation, and encouragement for caring well within the life of the church.
Competency Connection
Pastoral Care:
Be able to engage other persons with empathy and assess situations and relationships with the compassion of Christ, with sensitivity to culture and context. Be able to convey the healing power of God to those who suffer.
Upcoming Dates
Regional Assembly 2026
CCSW Learn: Stewardship (IN PERSON)
Register today!
We look forward to hosting you!
*This CCSW Learn course will satisfy a requirement for Commissioned Ministers foundational training. It will NOT substitute for the required 3 hour, graduate-level, ATS Accredited course required for people seeking ordination.
This event will count toward 6 hours of continuing education credit for those who need it.
The Region provides meaningful educational resources for clergy and congregational leaders. Throughout the year, we offer one-day, six-hour workshops for ministry leadership development, host an annual elders retreats, conduct book discussions, and serve to connect congregations and ministers with the best practices for ministry, mission, witness, and justice.
*This CCSW Learn course will satisfy a requirement for Commissioned Ministers foundational training. It will NOT substitute for the required 3 hour, graduate-level, ATS Accredited course required for people seeking ordination.
This event will count toward 6 hours of continuing education credit for those who need it.
The Region provides meaningful educational resources for clergy and congregational leaders. Throughout the year, we offer one-day, six-hour workshops for ministry leadership development, host an annual elders retreats, conduct book discussions, and serve to connect congregations and ministers with the best practices for ministry, mission, witness, and justice.