Restorative Practices for Church Communities: Philemon and Facilitation from the Head to the Heart
All of us can likely recall a time when we were not on good speaking terms with someone. Or perhaps we were afraid to bump into them unexpectedly. It’s clear that some sort of emotional charge remained in the air and we avoided the risk of an electrical shock. Such was the case with Philemon, a church leader, and Onesimus, a household servant who left the community. Paul’s letter provides a great example of how the grounding out of loose negative charge is necessary before estranged parties can be reconciled. We learn how language can be re-centered around positive things more than negative things. While Paul never uses the word ‘forgiveness’, he does invite an implicit form of forgiveness where blockage is released. Wider explorations of apology and forgiveness will supplement the skills of being a 3rd-party helper to others in conflict.
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.
All Workshops in the Restorative Practices for Congregations series(register separately here https://buytickets.at/newcollegeberkeley)
September 14, 2023: Moving from Rivalry to Reconciliation
October 19, 2023: From Clash to Coexistence
November 16, 2023: Conversations from Fear to Forgiveness
December 14, 2023: From the Head to the Heart