Transforming Conflict
Designed for clergy and laity alike, this virtual leadership skill-building class will give you a solid biblical and theological foundation for conflict resolution, develop skills to assess conflict situations, and apply useful strategies and tips to address conflict in your church. Participants will walk away with strategies, tools, tips and templates and an opportunity to earn continuing education units for clergy, CLMs and Lay Servants.
A previous class participant shares,
Four members of my church, including our pastor, participated in a Conflict Resolution Training led by Rev. Doris Dalton. We worked through the assignments together, and we created a Conflict Resolution Plan for our congregation. Because of this work, we became more sensitive to situations in which tensions could become destructive and harmful, and were actually able to head off a couple of potentially significant conflicts before they did irreparable damage. I would encourage congregations to register at least two members for the upcoming Transforming Conflict course. Listening to different perspectives, working together, and creating a plan together helps build mutual respect and trust, which is always a great way to diffuse conflict. As Benjamin Franklin once said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Who is invited? All Clergy and All Laity including Lay Leaders, Lay Servants, Certified Lay Ministers, Staff Pastor Parish committee members, Church Council Chairs, and candidates for licensing and ministry
Course Instructors: Rev. Doris K. Dalton, Director of Leadership Development and Intercultural Competency and Rev. Ximena Diaz, Assistant to the Bishop
Dates and Time: Thursdays from 6:30-8:30pm on January 13, January 20, January 27 and February 10, 2022
Credits Available: For those seeking credits for this course, there will be eight hours of class time and an estimated ten hours of assigned reading and class assignments. Clergy will be eligible to receive 1.5 CEUs after completion of this class and all class assignments. For Certified Lay Ministers and Lay Servants, completion of this class and all assignments is equivalent to one Advanced Lay Servant class.
*Classes will not be recorded and there will be no make-up sessions.
Required Materials: Bible, note pad, “The Spirit and Art of Conflict Transformation” by Thomas Porter (purchase the book at Cokesbury, Upper Room or Amazon). Optional: Journal
UPDATE: The book, "The Spirit and Art of Conflict Transformation" is temporarily out of stock at Amazon and Cokesbury. If you choose to order from The Upper Room, we suggest you call their Customer Support Line to order directly. We will adapt the class sessions to the reality that the book may be difficult for you to find at this time.
REGISTRATION: There is no fee to register for this class, though registration for the class is required: https://ny-reg.brtapp.com/Jan2022TransformingConflictTraining. Registration deadline is January 10, 2022.
Questions? Please contact Rev. Doris K. Dalton at ddalton@nyac.com.
