Jesus taught us to be peace-makers, who pray for our enemies. But what does that mean when “the enemy” is someone you constantly rub shoulders with? Hostility from your family, your workmates, or your neighbours, can leave you feeling blocked at every turn - even under siege. Some people can appear totally unreasonable, wearing you down with a persistently negative attitude. It’s hard then not to be sucked into a downward spiral of despair, blame, recrimination or counter-attack.

Being Christ-like in these circumstances is a real challenge. How can you want the best for someone else when you hate what they do? Some questions to ask ourselves might include: Am I jumping to hasty conclusions about another person’s motives? Is it possible that my own behaviour is part of the problem? Should I just bite my tongue? What might it mean to take a principled stand against harmful behaviour? What can I do to break a cycle of scape-goating? During this workshop, you will be helped to recognise your instinctive responses to difficult behaviour from others, to build on your strengths, and to plan how to take a more considered approach.

The workshop follows the trusted Bridge Builders approach: training in practical skills, rooted in the example and teaching of Jesus.

Saturday 28 February 2009, at Crossgate Centre, Durham
10.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m.
Fee: £50 (£40 if booked by 7 January or if a member of the BB Network), £20 unwaged/ low income.
Fee includes VAT, training materials and refreshments – but please bring your own lunch. Should you have to cancel, your fee will be refunded if we are notified at least 10 days before the event, but not thereafter.
C-C Seminar 317

Recommended readingWe will draw on insights from the Mennonite authors David Augsburger, (Caring Enough to Confront) and Arthur Paul Boers (Never Call Them Jerks).