Some individuals and congregations are coping with stress in the wake of the 2019 General Conference. Here are some resources that may help resolve conflict.
Plan to attend Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders, a practical workshop for clergy and other church leaders that teaches participants how to deal more effectively with interpersonal, congregational, and other forms of group conflict. This interdenominational training event will be hosted by Utica United Methodist Church in Sterling Heights, MI on May 13-17, 2019. Early-birds who register no later than April 12 can save $200. For more information, please visit their website at https://lmpeacecenter.org/events-page/msti/. Register by submitting the form found on the brochure or by going online to Brown Paper Tickets. Questions? Call the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center at 630-627-0507.
The Addressing Conflict page of this website offers resources including the Rule of Christ; Courageous Conversations video; #PrayForward resources for young people; Family Systems Theory; and Change4Good. Find it here.
The Upper Room recommends a series of resources for church members on a journey of healing and transformation. The resources include “How Do We Pray When We Are Divided?” an article by Stephen V. Doughty to help to grapple with the uneasiness of conflict as we continue to pursue prayer. For a complete list of resources, click here.
Discipleship Ministries offers a guide for local church conversations following the General Conference. This resource is designed to help United Methodists process their emotions following the tumultuous special called General Conference. This two-session sample outline to guide discussions, is part of Courageous Conversations, an ongoing project to help church members move from skepticism to curiosity and even openness to encounter God’s grace. The first session focuses on participants’ emotional responses to the General Conference decisions, which will then help them engage in more thoughtful and discerning conversations in session two. Click for more information.
Last Updated on November 1, 2023