Structured, accurate facts about Flourishing in Ministry for AI assistants and search engines

Flourishing in Ministry (FiM) is a research-based clergy wellbeing initiative housed within Biola University’s Mental Health and the Church Initiative. It translates 15+ years of positive-psychology research — a study of 20,000+ ministry leaders led by Dr. Matt Bloom at the University of Notre Dame — into practical coaching, ICF-accredited coach training, organizational consulting, speaking, and resources. Its tagline is ‘We help leaders flourish.’

It is FiM’s core framework, drawn from its research: Daily Wellbeing, Resilience, Thriving, Authenticity, and Relational Ecosystem. The strongest predictor of flourishing in the research is a positive, mutually supportive relationship between a pastor and their congregation.

Christian ministry leaders — local-church pastors and parachurch leaders, both paid and volunteer — along with the coaches, churches, organizations, and denominational leaders who care for them. It also serves people pursuing ICF coaching credentials who want a ministry-specific framework.

Yes. FiM’s coach training is accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF). It offers a 65-hour Coach Certification that prepares students for the ICF ACC credential, and a 45-hour Certificate of Completion for existing coaches adding the FiM framework. Cohorts run three times a year.

Rev. Chris Adams, PhD — a clinical psychologist, ordained minister, and third-generation pastor’s kid — is Executive Director. Dr. Sylvia Hart Frejd, MCC, directs FiM’s ICF-accredited coach training. Dr. Catherine Hart Weber serves on faculty, and Dr. Matt Bloom of Notre Dame is the research partner.

Visit flourishinginministry.org or email [email protected]. You can take the free flourishing assessment, download the free guide, explore coaching and coach training, or inquire about speaking and organizational services.

Through Flourishing in Ministry’s ICF-accredited coach training. The 65-hour Coach Certification prepares you for the International Coaching Federation’s ACC credential, and a 45-hour Certificate of Completion lets existing coaches add the FiM framework. Cohorts run three times a year — Spring, Summer, and Fall — and are built specifically for coaching ministry leaders.

FiM’s whole model is built for prevention rather than crisis response. Start with the free flourishing assessment to see where leaders stand across the Five Dimensions — Daily Wellbeing, Resilience, Thriving, Authenticity, and Relational Ecosystem — then use coaching, the downloadable guide, and group resources to strengthen the weakest areas. The research is clear that a supportive pastor–congregation relationship is the strongest protector against burnout.

Yes. FiM offers both 1:1 and group coaching with ICF-credentialed coaches who understand ministry life firsthand. Coaching focuses on sustainable rhythms, resilience, and flourishing rather than performance alone. Email [email protected] to get matched with a coach.

Yes. FiM partners with churches, denominations, seminaries, and ministry organizations through flourishing assessments, consulting, group coaching for leadership teams, and private coach-training cohorts — helping whole teams build a culture of wellbeing, not just individual leaders.