Most of us tend to naturally think that one of our goals for small groups should be to create a ‘safe’ environment. In this talk, Dr. Jim Wilder will make a case for why making a ‘safe’ environment may actually hinder the transformation we seek. While of course we need to ensure that group members are protected, there is another way to do so beyond creating a ‘safe’ group – and that is to cultivate a protective group identity. Dr. Wilder will unpack the ideas that the human brain is designed to long for 1) belonging in a 2) peaceful 3) protective 4) joyful 5) group of people. The Life Model is centered around achieving these purposes. Learn how you can form groups that are “protective” and foster sustainable and scalable transformation.02

Dr. Jim Wilder has been training leaders and counselors for over 30 years on five continents. Jim has extensive clinical counseling experience and is the founder and chief neurotheologian of Life Model Works. Jim grew up in South America and is fluent in English and Spanish. He is the author of 20 books with a strong focus on maturity and relational skills. His co-authored book, Living from the Heart Jesus Gave You, has sold over 100,000 copies and is printed in 14 languages. Jim has published numerous articles and developed four sets of video and relational leadership trainings. He has served as a guest lecturer at Fuller Seminary, Biola, Talbot Seminary, St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, Montreat College, Tyndale Seminary, and elsewhere