Understanding & Transforming Conflict - 17 November 2012

Understanding & Transforming Conflict:
a day to raise awareness of conflict in churches … and how it can be transformed.

Saturday 17 November 2012
Little Lane Church, (Little Lane, Bradford BD9 5HD)

Conflict happens everywhere ...

... so why not equip yourself and your church with an awareness of what may be happening and some skills to help transform conflict when it occurs?

A conflict awareness day ...

... is designed to help you explore conflict in an interesting, thoughtful and safe way - and have fun at the same time! The day will be particularly appropriate for churches not experiencing difficult conflict, but who want to develop and maintain good relationships



Jointly led by: Revd Dr James Coleman, Synod Development Officer, Revd Kevin Watson, Synod Moderator, Mr Alastair Forsyth, Elder, Knaresborough URC

Further details: Revd Dr James F Coleman, Synod Development Officer, The United Reformed Church, Yorkshire Synod Office, Somerset House, St Paul’s Street, Morley, Leeds LS27 9EP 0113 289 8490,  do@urcyorkshire.org.uk

About the day:

The church is called to bring peace to a violent world but too often internal conflict and communication problems stunt our energy and growth. Come to this event and leave with greater understanding alongside practical skills & handouts to help you deal creatively with conflict. The main aims of the day are:

• To explore and understand the nature of conflict and how churches can be vulnerable to destructive conflict;
• To explore Christian principles of conflict transformation;
• To introduce participants to some principles of conflict management, and explore options for conflict transformation;
• To help participants to develop an understanding of their own experiences and responses to conflict.

Programme:

09.30 Arrivals & refreshments

10.00 Welcome & introductions

10.20 Session 1 - to include: Introduction to conflict; Progression & dynamic of conflict; Progression of conflict in churches.

11.10 Coffee Break

11.30 Session 2 - to include: Understanding ourselves & conflict; Conflict management styles.

12.45 Lunch

1.30 Personal reflection

1.40 Conflict puzzle

1.50 How do we transform conflict?

2.10 Group work

2.55 Tea break

3.10 ‘Hard Conversations’ - dialogue circles

3.50 Conflict tree

4.00 Closing session - to include: Reflection time; Question time; Prayer time

4.30 End & departures

About the leaders:

Kevin Watson has been the Moderator of Yorkshire Synod since the beginning of 2008. Ordained in 1982 he served the pastorates of Rhyl & Dyserth (1982-87) and Manselton in Swansea, from 1987-2000. Leaving the Synod of Wales he moved to Northern Synod and the pastorates of Ponteland and Stamfordham, where he served for 8 years until his present appointment.

Jim Coleman has been working as Synod Development Officer since September 2007, prior to which he was minister of Trinity Slough for 10 years. Originally ordained as a Church of Scotland minister in 1978 he served as a chaplain in the RAF from 1978-94, before joining the army chaplaincy for a further 3 years. On leaving the army and moving to Slough he transferred to the United Reformed Church.

Alastair Forsyth also started out life as an active member of the Church of Scotland, before a change of work involved moving south. He has a background in HR, particularly in the health sector, as well as having considerable experience in training and consultancy roles. He is currently Church Secretary of Knaresborough United Reformed Church.

All three have in recent years attended several of the courses run by Bridge Builders, an organisation committed to transforming conflict within churches.

Further information:

Drinks will be provided during the day, but please bring a packed lunch.

There is no charge for the day.

The day is open to absolutely anyone who wants to learn more about how conflict can be positively handled. However it is likely to be of particular benefit for those in any position of leadership within a local church.

Although the day is free, please help us plan for the day by ensuring you send the following details to secretary@littlelanechurch.org.uk :

Please book me a place on the Conflict Awareness Day being held on Sat 17 Nov 12.

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