LIVE WORKSHOPS
October 7, 8, and 9, 2026
Part of Equipped to Care — the 2026 Church Mental Health Summit
Join us live on Zoom with the speakers themselves. Ask your questions, be part of the conversation in real time, and walk away with practical tools you can use in your ministry this week. Your free registration includes the workshops and all three days of the Summit.
Choose the live workshop that fits what you’re facing in ministry right now.
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Registration is free. When you save your spot for a live workshop, you’ll also receive free access to the full Church Mental Health Summit, October 7–9
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Emotional Health & Spiritual Formation: How They Work Together for Lasting Change
Wednesday, October 7 at 9 AM ET
What if emotional health isn’t separate from discipleship?
Explore why emotional maturity and spiritual formation belong together, and how integrating both can lead to deeper, more lasting transformation.
How to Double Your Volunteers in 24 Months
Wednesday, October 7 at 10:30 AM ET
Struggling to recruit volunteers?
Learn how to build a clear and repeatable volunteer recruitment process that helps people want to join your ministry and gives you a system that can grow with your church.
Spiritual Formation: Biblical and Theological Perspectives
Wednesday, October 7 at 12 PM ET
Spiritual formation is more than something we teach. It shapes how we lead, discern, and live.
Join Ruth Haley Barton for a biblical and theological look at spiritual transformation and how leaders can cooperate with the work God is doing in their own lives and ministries.
Training Flourishing in Ministry Coaches to Care for Ministry Leaders Well
Wednesday, October 7 at 1 PM ET
Who is caring for the people who spend their lives caring for everyone else?
Discover research-informed approaches to coaching ministry leaders and learn how effective coaching can support wellbeing, leadership, resilience, and flourishing in ministry.
Equipping the Church to Respond When Trauma Walks In the Door
Thursday, October 8 at 9 AM ET
Your church may be trauma-aware. But is it trauma-ready?
Learn how to move beyond awareness and build a practical, sustainable response that equips everyday people in your congregation to support individuals and families impacted by trauma.
Beyond the Walls of Misunderstanding, Blame, and Shame
Thursday, October 8 — Time TBD
When addiction impacts one person, the whole family feels it.
Explore healthier ways of understanding addiction and recovery within family systems, and learn practical shifts that can reduce blame, shame, secrecy, and isolation while supporting meaningful recovery.
Loving Well In Your Marriage
Friday, October 9 at 12 PM ET
Ministry asks a lot of leaders. Sometimes marriage receives whatever energy is left.
This practical workshop will help pastors and Christian leaders strengthen emotional connection, navigate hurt, build greater safety, and love well at home while carrying the pressures of ministry.
God’s “Brainforest”: Ministry With Children in a Neurodiverse Congregation
Friday, October 9 at 10:30 AM ET
What if children’s ministry expected neurodiversity from the beginning?
Explore what neurodiversity really means and how churches can shape children’s ministry with greater understanding, belonging, and flexibility before challenges arise.
Slow Kingdom Coming: Practices for Doing Justice and Spiritual Self-Aid to Sustain the Way
Friday, October 9 at 9 AM ET
How do we keep showing up when the work of justice feels slow, difficult, and unfinished?
Learn practical practices for sustaining compassion, resilience, and faithful engagement while caring for your own spiritual and emotional wellbeing along the way.
Does The Church Care? Creating a culture of care ministry
Thursday, October 8Â @ 3 PMÂ EST
How do we make sure no one in our church has to carry their burdens alone?
Learn how to build a culture of care by equipping ordinary people to offer meaningful, listening-based support and create a practical pathway for relational care within your church.
 Supporting Survivors of Sexual Abuse Within Families
Thursday, October 8Â @ 10 AM EST
How can churches respond well when someone carries the hidden wounds of sexual abuse within their family?
Learn a practical and compassionate framework for creating safer spaces, responding with sensitivity, and offering care that protects dignity, supports healing, and reflects the heart of Christ.
 Beyond Partisanship: Recovering Our Public Witness
Friday, Oct ober 9Â @ 1 PM EST
How can followers of Jesus engage a divided world without being pulled into outrage, avoidance, or partisan conflict?
Explore how truth, humility, love, and faithful presence can shape a distinctly Christian public witness in the midst of political and cultural division.
Church Mental Health Summit 2026
October 7–9, 2026
Care ministry is complex, and church leaders are often navigating mental health concerns, trauma, grief, crisis, and family challenges without enough practical support.
The Church Mental Health Summit brings together trusted ministry leaders and mental health professionals to equip pastors, care leaders, and ministry teams with practical tools and fresh ideas for caring well.
You’ll Gain:
- Practical tools for real ministry challenges
- Trusted insight from experienced leaders
- Fresh ideas to strengthen your care ministry
- Encouragement for the work you’re already doing
Registration is free. Join us October 7–9.
Laura is a registered social worker, trainer, and founder of Hope Made Strong. She has spent over 20 years serving her community and more than 7 years equipping church leaders with practical tools for mental health and care ministry. Her heart is to strengthen the Church by strengthening the caregivers who serve within it.
WHY I CREATED THIS SUMMIT
I started the Church Mental Health Summit because so many ministry leaders were carrying heavy burdens alone. You want to care well, but the needs are growing, and the solutions are not always clear.
This Summit exists to remind you that you are not alone, and that with the right tools and support, you can build a culture of care that is sustainable, healthy, and rooted in hope.