The pain of disappointment
Thursday, May 7, 2026
1-4:30PM EST / 10AM-1:30PM PST
Ever wonder why leadership wounds cut so deeply — and what real recovery looks like? You’re not alone.
Relational disappointment touches all of us. But when those we trust — especially leaders — let us down, the pain can feel confusing, disorienting, and hard to process.
Join Chris Coursey for a 3 1⁄2‑hour event designed to help you understand and navigate the pain and offense that surface when leaders fail us. Together, we’ll explore:
- The different ways leaders can cause offense — and why these wounds hit so hard
- Helpful and unhelpful responses to leadership disappointment
- The different types of relational skills that help and how to discern what we need
- Practical guidance for how to find Jesus in the midst of pain and confusion
- How an understanding of maturity can bring clarity to painful situations
Whether you’re processing your own hurt or walking alongside someone who is, this event creates space to acknowledge the wounds, understand their impact, and discover what it looks like to encounter Jesus right in the middle of the mess.
Come find understanding, compassion, and a way forward.
PLEASE NOTE: We encourage you to attend LIVE, but if you can’t make it, a recording will be available for a limited time following the event for those who registered. If watching via recording, we encourage you to have a friend purchase the event as well so you can go through the exercises together and discuss what you are learning.
Each session will include a time of teaching and practice:
Session 1
Understanding the Pain of Offense | In this session, you’ll get an overview of what offense from leaders can look like and why it’s often so difficult to walk through. Chris will touch on the common, unhelpful responses many of us slip into when we’re hurt, and outline a healthier, more Christ‑centered pathway for responding to offense. This session sets the foundation for understanding your pain and moving forward.
Session 2
The Skills that Anchor Us When Pain Comes | When we face painful or disappointing moments—especially with leaders—our emotional and relational capacity affects whether we stay steady or get overwhelmed. This session will review what capacity is, why it matters, and how growing it helps us navigate offense with greater Christlike character. You’ll also learn tips for building your capacity that you can implement right away.
Session 3
Recovering from the Pain | It’s very normal to experience painful emotions and lose our peace and joy when we’re hurt by leaders. The problem is, many of us don’t know how to identify what we’re feeling, let alone process it. This session will explore the skills that help us to recover our joy and peace and strengthen our attachment to Jesus.
Session 4
Making Sense of the Pain - A Maturity Lens | Viewing leadership offense through a maturity lens helps us make sense of the gaps and contradictions that feel so confusing. This session will shine a light on a part of the conversation that often gets overlooked, helping us understand how people we trusted—or who were deeply gifted—could still cause significant pain. You’ll gain insights that bring clarity to these tensions and learn how to keep growing instead of losing yourself in the hurt.
We hope you can make it!
EVENT details
Thursday, May 7, 2026
1pm - 4:30pm Eastern / 10am - 1:30pm Pacific
Pick Your Price!
The recommended price for this event is $59 per person. If that’s out of reach, you’re welcome to choose your own price—starting at $10. If you’re able to contribute more, your generosity helps make this event accessible to others.
Group Pricing: We generally ask participants to register individually, unless they’re part of the same household and watching from the same screen, (recommendation of $99). If you prefer to register as a group, we kindly ask that you consider our suggested pricing and contribute what you’re able.
REGISTRATION ENDS TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2026
What to expect
When you join this event you will enter a waiting room and be admitted by our event host. Please be sure to join 10 minutes early so we can review some housekeeping items.
Sessions 1-3 include a teaching, an exercise or reflection, and opportunities for discussion. You will have a brief break after sessions 1 and 2. Our time will conclude with a short time for Q & A.
For all discussion and practice portions of the event, you will be added to a breakout room with other attendees unless you are attending with others who are watching from the same screen as you.
FAQs
- Can I attend this event if I have no prior experience with relational skills?
- Yes. However, it will be helpful to review our Foundational 5 Skills before coming if you can. You can do this by going to www.thrivetoday.org/foundational5
- Listen to our podcast E15 which reviews the Foundation 5 skills.
- Will this event be recorded?
- Yes, this event will be recorded and made available to all participants through our course platform, Thinkific, for 1 year. Please be aware that long-term availability isn’t guaranteed.
- Do you offer group pricing?
- Typically we only offer a household rate of $99, for couples or families living in the same home and watching from the same screen. However, if you have a small group you’d like to register watching from the same screen, we kindly ask that you consider our suggested pricing and contribute what you’re able.
We hope you join us!
Unable To Join Live?
We encourage you to attend LIVE, but if you can’t make it, the recording will be available for those who registered in the form on an online course. While you will have plenty of time to review the recording, we cannot guarantee long-term access.
Keep in mind that the hands-on practice and breakout rooms are an important part of this event. If you are watching the event via recording, you’ll benefit greatly by having a friend purchase the course as well so you can go through the exercises together and discuss what you are learning. Please remember to have anyone you go through the content with also purchase the event, unless they are in your household and you paid the household rate.