Pastoral Boundaries
Those of us that offer pastoral care to others are immensely privileged. We get to share what is of the deepest concern to those we serve, and we participate in the mission of God by being the presence of Jesus to those who look to us for support.
With the privilege comes great responsibility. Those of us who are ministers carry the expectations of our congregations and wider society that we are trustworthy, safe, and concerned for their well-being and flourishing.
This is why pastoral boundaries are so important. They are the limits or personal rules we set for our relationships with those we support. Careful consideration on how we offer pastoral care, clear communication of the way we wish to work, and good accountability for our practice, are all vital. Pastoral boundaries help to stop us from harming others and from others harming us. They engender trust and help us exhibit Jesus' love without ambiguity or compromise.
Pastoral boundary training and guidance
We have two resources to help you reflect on pastoral boundaries.
A Guide to Pastoral Boundaries. This document spells out some principles that undergird our pastoral practice, and a set of best practice suggestions regarding our pastoral care. It has been written with ministers in mind but is suitable for all those involved in pastoral care in a Baptist context. It contains some case studies that will get you thinking. The document can be found here.
A 25-minute Pastoral Boundaries video. [This video will be published by the end of February 2026 and all ministers will receive an email about this.] This sets out six principles in the form of questions that we can ask about all our pastoral encounters. These help us foster safe and wise pastoral practice. There are a number of points in the video when you will be invited to pause and discuss some of the issues raised. The video is therefore best watched with others, whether in a minister’s cluster meeting, or within a church pastoral care team. For accredited and recognised ministers, watching the video is compulsory – please see the information below.
What ministers must do
The national Ministerial Recognition Committee has asked that all accredited and recognised ministers watch the video and let Ministries Team know, by the end of August 2026. [This video will be published by the end of February 2026 and all ministers will receive an email about this.]
This applies if you are a Newly Accredited Minister, a (non-retired) Fully Accredited Minister (categories 1-4), a Recognised Local Minister, or a Nationally Recognised Pastor. If you are a minister entering or returning to active ministry after a leave of absence, a period of retirement, or during transfer from another Union or denomination, you must watch the video before your accreditation can be confirmed. Ministers-in-Training for accreditation who complete their formation programme during 2026 must watch the video before enrolment as a NAM. RLM trainees must watch the video before RLM status can be confirmed.
Once you have watched the video, please email the Ministries Team at cmd@baptist.org.uk giving your first and last name, your current ministry setting, and your association.