Speaking

Dr. Heather Jordon Clark encourages and equips leaders through staff care workshops and custom presentations.

“When leaders care for themselves, their people thrive.” – Dr. Heather Clark

Does Your Team Struggle with The Following?

• Are you overwhelmed, stressed, anxious or defeated?
• Are you working hard to glorify God, but enjoying Him less?
• Do you feel torn apart by multiple responsibilities?
• Is trying to keep everyone else happy making you miserable?
• Have you poured out so much that you are empty?
• Are you falling apart mentally, physically or relationally?

Instead, Would You ALL Like To…?

• Enjoy your professional and personal calling?
• Learn tools to balance your life?
• Manage stress rather than stress managing you?
• Re-ignite your flame that has been extinguished?
• Replace self-neglect with self-care?
• Learn to say “no” with confidence and compassion?

“I care for people who care for other people.” – Dr. Heather Clark

Why should you book me to speak or work with your team? What makes my voice unique among speakers and authors? I am a licensed clinical psychologist, Christian counselor, seminary professor, and former ministry professional. This unique combination equips me to relate authentically to a wide variety of people groups, and to serve them well with my professional experience. That’s the bottom line, and here’s a bit of the backstory…

I cannot recall a time in life when I did not have “too much on my plate.” Do you feel that way too? Just like my grandmother at Sunday dinners, God seems to be intent on keeping our plates full. Simultaneously, He also wants to see His people to enjoy Him!

I began speaking and writing for ministry leaders when I had all of these delicious delights on my metaphorical plate: wife, mom of a 13- and 9-year-old, private practice Christian psychologist, women’s ministry director for our church, leader of two bible studies, speaker, and seminary professor. I share this with you to say, “I totally relate to people who are stretched thin!”

My work in ministry familiarized me with the impossible expectation that “ministry is a 24/7 job.” Add to that ridiculous adage that people in any kind of leadership, including ministry, are often taught not to acknowledge their humanness and their struggles. This is why I consider it an honor to work with men and women in positions of prominence in the church and community as they reach out for help and support through individual counseling. And through my book and speaking I bring the help and support to you and your team! Now, instead of helping one person at a time through individual psychotherapy, entire groups are cared for right where they work.

“I integrate empathy, Christian faith, mental health expertise, personal experience, and a fun workshop atmosphere to educate and encourage ministry leaders how to have a balanced life personally and professionally.” – Dr. Heather Clark

Leaders learn how to serve the masses, lead their staff and volunteers, connect with their families and friends, and not neglect themselves. This is done through staff care workshops, custom presentations, and my book Minister Well: 52 Tools for Ministry Leaders. I offer a unique blend of knowledge as a psychologist, experience in vocational ministry, and life of doing the “balancing act” just like you. I live in the trenches with you. Let me give you and your team tools to climb your way out and thrive in all of your God-given roles!

I have served the following people groups through workshops and custom presentations:

• Church staff
• Ministry leadership teams
• School staff
• Corporate staff
• Church conferences
• Millennials
• Women’s groups
• Chronic illness groups

… new groups always welcome!

Workshops Meet Your Team’s Ongoing Wellness Needs

Quarterly workshops consist of 60-minute presenter-audience interactive presentations, which always also facilitate connection between the audience members. Because the workshops are quarterly, the burden is relieved of scheduling other team care events throughout the year. This format allows everyone from the senior pastor to the children’s ministry team, and from administrative professionals to the maintenance team to simply be fed, rather than anyone on staff serving during staff care events. How often does that happen in the life of a church? Let me come care for you and your people!

Quarterly staff care workshops address topics such as the following. Topics are chosen both by request and based on identified needs within your ministry culture.

• Stress Management and Burnout Prevention
• Hectic Schedules and How to Not Go Bonkers!
• Balancing Life
• (Re)Building Community Within the Team and the Church
• Developing Healthy Boundaries Together
• Healthy Boundaries in Ministry
• Is Chaos Inherent in Ministry?
• Replace Self-neglect with Self-care
• Motivation… Yes, Please!

…new topics added regularly.

…topics can be combined and expanded for your staff retreats.

Custom Presentations Provide for Your Unique Needs In Challenging Circumstances

Having seen behind the curtain, I feel the tension that sometimes exist between what we see out front in church and what the church staff is dealing with behind the scenes. Even as we try to move to a church culture of being more authentic with one another, church staff are still expected to do their jobs even when they are stumbling through challenges and/or recovering after crises.

Example challenges might include:

• Someone in leadership having their sin projected onto the metaphorical big screens
• Tragedy in the local community (e.g., natural or man-made disaster or trauma)
• Terminal illness or death within the team
• Sudden job termination of a team member

It’s at these times that the entire ministry team is expected to support the rest of the church, but there is little to no support for them. They have a job to do, I agree. But, in order to do that job, they simultaneously need a safe place to fall (apart) along with some guidance in how to be there for others. I can provide both, thereby allowing the leader to care for his/her team while also being cared for themself.

I would love to serve your group.  Please contact me for more information.

Anonymous

Workshop Survey Respondent

“Dr. Clark was awesome! She had so much vital information that will help me professionally and in everyday life, itself!”

Duane Mellor

Pastor of Ministry, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church

“Heather can speak to any audience. Her ability to address issues that face people where they live makes her message relevant and timely. She is a tremendous blessing to those who get the opportunity to hear her speak.”

Christy Mullins

Founder, Platinum Fundraising

“We asked Dr. Heather Clark to come into our business and speak with our sales team. The objective was to guide the team on how to effectively handle stress in the workplace. Dr. Clark was able to provide tools and techniques that could be immediately applied. Our team not only learned a great deal, but they found Dr. Clark to be relatable and they enjoyed the workshop. Following her presentation, we sent our team a survey. Dr. Clark received 100% approval rating!”

Mona Petersen

Director, Adult Christian Education and Small Groups, First Presbyterian Church of Fort Lauderdale

“Dr. Heather Clark has been an instrumental component of our Adult Christian Education Ministry and Women’s Ministry here at First Presbyterian Church of Fort Lauderdale for several years, serving as guest speaker for a variety of ministry areas. She is very relatable and “down-to-earth”, while at the same time conveying a deep knowledge of the human condition and how to foster healthy and lasting changes in a person’s life. She is one of those people with whom you want to spend time, whether as a counselor or as a friend over a cup of coffee”

Tom Hendrikse

Lead Pastor, Rio Vista Community Church

“Dr. Heather Clark is a trusted counselor, ministry leader, speaker and friend. She has been an enormous blessing to the staff (and lay people) of our church in each of those capacities. Heather understands ministry and the human soul! She has been hugely helpful in teaching our ministry leaders how to take good care of their souls while also dealing with the many demands of serving the Lord vocationally. Her speaking, writing and team activities with our staff have been invaluable. I have every confidence in recommending her to you.”