We live in times where people are increasingly facing the challenge of ‘clash struggle.’ This might involve a clash of interests in a dispute, a clash of narratives in a situation of harm, or a clash of experience with respect to social issues such as race. In all cases, mistrust rises and good communication drops. In the context of the Jewish-Gentile tension in the early church, the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) represents a positive example of how a formal facilitation process is able to address a very emotional issue in a way that dignifies all involved and can result in a consensual agreement. Basic facilitation skills will be introduced in this workshop that help people in opposition to better co-exist with each other.
Skills include the importance of trusting-building and recognizing how “Shift Happens” when people let go of the past and lean into a new future.
Church communities are increasingly being challenged by polarizing issues. Meanwhile, new stresses and strains are causing micro-harms and conflicts between church members, resulting in atmospheres of avoidance and mistrust. This workshop is one of four (each can be attended as a standalone) that tap into biblical narratives to offer rich wisdom for how people in church settings can hold space for hard but healing conversations. The power of people telling their own stories and being heard well by others is vital, but this work often requires the help of third-party facilitators. Participants receive an introductory foundation for facilitating processes that help people move from a defensive “head-zone” to an open “heart-zone” so that new life can rise up.
Registration: General $25/ Living Lightly $10/ Student Free
Location: Online/Zoom
About Ted Lewis
After being introduced to restorative justice through Mennonite Central Committee workers on Pine Ridge Reservation in the early 90s, Ted has worked in the fields of restorative justice and conflict resolution in Kansas, Oregon, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. His area of specialty is facilitation and training for restorative conferencing that includes harming and harmed parties, along with support people. Ted is the founder and coordinator of the Restorative Church project, and presently works as a restorative consultant and trainer for the Center for Restorative Justice & Peacemaking at the University of Minnesota.
Other Workshops in the Restorative Practices for Congregations series (register separately here https://buytickets.at/newcollegeberkeley)
September 14, 2023: Moving from Rivalry to Reconciliation
November 16, 2023: Conversations from Fear to Forgiveness
December 14, 2023: From the Head to the Heart