Self-paced Course
Thriving in Ministry Course
This four-session course with Bill Clem equips weary ministers to move from burnout to long-term sustainability by exploring key aspects of thriving in ministry. Through personal insights and practical tools, it helps leaders develop healthy rhythms so their souls—and ministries—can endure and flourish for the long haul.
Thriving in Ministry
In this four-session course, Bill Clem draws on decades of ministry experience to guide leaders toward sustainable, soul-deep health. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed or just want to lead more faithfully for the long haul, this course offers practical wisdom and rhythms to help you not just survive but truly thrive in ministry.
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Session 1: Crisis-Proof Joy
What defines your joy? What happens when (not if) people let you down, or when (not if) your ministry season isn’t what you thought it would be. In this first consideration for thriving in ministry, Bill helps us consider the concept of joy that can sustain through all the ups and downs of life and ministry.
What defines your joy? What happens when (not if) people let you down, or when (not if) your ministry season isn’t what you thought it would be. In this first consideration for thriving in ministry, Bill helps us consider the concept of joy that can sustain through all the ups and downs of life and ministry.
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Session 2: God-Defined Awareness
“Self-awareness” and “emotional intelligence” are common phrases in many cultures today. But what would it look like for God to shape our awareness of ourselves, through his truth? In this session, Bill introduces five “EQ Pitfalls.” Then he re-shapes our spiritual maturity and resilience around knowing ourselves well, through our primary identity in Christ.
“Self-awareness” and “emotional intelligence” are common phrases in many cultures today. But what would it look like for God to shape our awareness of ourselves, through his truth? In this session, Bill introduces five “EQ Pitfalls.” Then he re-shapes our spiritual maturity and resilience around knowing ourselves well, through our primary identity in Christ.
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Session 3 :Relationally-Open Hearts
How do we define “sin,” and what how does our definition impact our relationships — with God and with others? In this session, Bill helps us navigate healthy relationships, and how transparency with both God and people is necessary for our own sanctification. He helps us see love as a foundational element of our own soul-health and ministry longevity.
How do we define “sin,” and what how does our definition impact our relationships — with God and with others? In this session, Bill helps us navigate healthy relationships, and how transparency with both God and people is necessary for our own sanctification. He helps us see love as a foundational element of our own soul-health and ministry longevity.
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Session 4: Rhythms for Sustainability
In the final session of this course, Bill gets practical: he introduces five rhythms that focus on our souls as sons and daughters of God, rather than whatever roles you play in ministry. Both the “outward” and “inward” rhythms become invitations to you, to implement in your everyday life. The course closes by asking you to consider what rhythms you might pursue, as you consider a lifetime of thriving in ministry.
In the final session of this course, Bill gets practical: he introduces five rhythms that focus on our souls as sons and daughters of God, rather than whatever roles you play in ministry. Both the “outward” and “inward” rhythms become invitations to you, to implement in your everyday life. The course closes by asking you to consider what rhythms you might pursue, as you consider a lifetime of thriving in ministry.
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Meet Your Trainer
Hey, I’m Bill Clem—your trainer for this course.
Bill Clem is a seasoned pastor and Director of the Center for Pastoral Flourishing at Western Seminary, where he mentors and trains church leaders. With decades of ministry experience—including leadership at Mars Hill Church—he is known for his focus on spiritual formation and pastoral health. He is the author of Disciple: Getting Your Identity from Jesus, which emphasizes identity in Christ. Bill is passionate about helping pastors thrive in ministry with depth, resilience, and purpose.