Confessional Community®
A sacred space for those who care for others — to become more fully known.
Confessional Community
Ministry leadership carries a quiet cost. You spend your days holding space for others, but who holds space for you? The Confessional Community is a confidential, grace-filled environment where congregational leaders can step out of their professional roles and simply be known — not evaluated, not fixed, just known.
Being known is not something we can accomplish alone. It happens with others who open themselves vulnerably, practice loving one another, and partner with God in freeing each other toward the abundant life He intends.
LENGTH
6 months (Every other week)
(May 12th – Nov 10th)
TIME & DAY
7:30pm – 9pm
(Tuesdays)
LOCATION
Kairos Christian Church
7875 Convoy Ct STE 3, San Diego, CA 92111
What to Expect
Groups of 6–8 congregational leaders — pastors, ministry staff, elders, church planters — meet bi-weekly for six months in 90-minute facilitated sessions. Groups are balanced by gender and diverse in denominational tradition. Participants are selected through a brief conversation to ensure a good fit.
Our current cohort meets Tuesdays, 7:30–9pm at Kairos Christian Church (7875 Convoy Ct Ste 3, San Diego), running May 12 – November 10, 2026.
A Note on Our Approach
Confessional Community is peer-to-peer support, not psychotherapy. It is grounded in the formation and neuroscience-informed work of Dr. Curt Thompson — psychiatrist, author of The Soul of Shame, and founder of the Being Known Podcast — whose work explores how being truly known transforms us at every level: spiritual, emotional, and neurological. Our facilitators carry ministry degrees, have completed formal Confessional Community training through programs informed by Thompson’s work, and are themselves on their own formation journeys. Participants who need professional mental health support will be warmly referred to appropriate resources.
Not the Right Fit Right Now?
If you’re outside the San Diego area or outside ministry leadership, we’d point you toward The Center for Being Known— a nonprofit extension of Thompson’s work offering peer-led Confessional Communities online, open to all, along with an annual conference. Their groups are a wonderful on-ramp.
Ready to Learn More?
To prepare: Read Dr. Thompson’s article “The Way of the Confessional Community”, or explore Season 7 of the Being Known Podcast. The Soul of Shame is also a rich companion for the journey.
What You’ll Find Here
- Relief from isolation. Others who understand the unique pressures of ministry leadership.
- Emotional and spiritual health. Honest sharing in a safe environment reduces anxiety, prevents burnout, and nurtures the inner life from which ministry flows.
- Authentic accountability. Not enforcement — loving attention from people who genuinely care about your wholeness.
- Perspective and clarity. Voicing your struggles often opens pathways that remain hidden when you carry things alone.
- Renewed capacity. Leaders who are known and cared for have greater capacity to offer the same to those they serve.
What We Ask of You
Come willing to be present — to share your story, to receive the stories of others, and to grow in the kind of integration that happens in community. Consistent bi-weekly attendance (80%+) is part of the commitment, as trust is built over time and your presence matters to the group.
Cost: $450 for the six-month group ($75/month payment option available).
How would I know if participation would be a good fit for me? It would be a good fit…
…if you are looking to understand yourself better in the hopes of growing in faith and toward Christlikeness
…because you want to live a more authentic and free life, tired of hiding due to shame and fear.
…because you believe the community of faith can be a secure place rather than a judgmental one
…if you long to be an instrument of creativity, beauty, and goodness in this world and are intent in that pursuit
…if you are looking for meaningful connections with the aim of growing in Christ in a safe and confidential community.
Is there a cost to participate?
Yes. The cost to participate is $450 generally (for this six month group). You are hoping it will be possible to pay $75/month through our payment processor as an option. Registration and payment are handled through Flourish San Diego’s secure merchant services provider, Neon One.
Do I have to participate for the duration of the group?
Yes. While we recognize things come up like emergencies and travel, you are committing to being present at least 80%+ of the time. When accepted to participate you will also be responsible for payment of the whole time period.
Who will be in the group?
Flourish San Diego Confessional Communities will be formed from people who are congregational leaders: pastors, ministry leaders in church or nonprofits, elders, church planters, etc. There will be a diversity of denominational backgrounds. Groups are intended to be comprised equally of men and women.
Are you qualified to lead these Confessional Communities?
The design and intent of Confessional Communities have been created and written about through the work of Dr. Curt Thompson. Our facilitators have been spent a minimum of a year in study around Thompson’s book, The Soul of Shame. By the end of 2026, we will have had two additional facilitators completing the Confessional Community Facilitator training program with Dr. Thompson.
Our facilitators also carry professional degrees in ministry, typically a Masters of Divinity. And by way of experience, all together we have decades of ministry experience facilitating small group interactions.
Perhaps most importantly, we facilitators are all on our own journeys, learning and growing in our understanding of how the Gospel can change lives…particularly our own.
What can I do to prepare for a Confessional Community?
Here is a great article from Dr. Thompson’s website entitled, “The Way of the Confessional Community.”
For the podcast prone, we’d recommend Season 7 of the “Being Known Podcast.” https://www.beingknownpodcast.com
Optionally, for additional insight, we recommend Dr. Thompson’s book, “The Soul of Shame,” to be enjoyed previously or concurrently.
Will you offer Confessional Communities for people other than ministry leaders?
At the moment we are don’t have the capacity to do so. We would refer you to The Center for Being Known to sign up for their offerings. These are peer-led groups that meet online. Keep an eye out for their annual conference as well.