Conflict is normal and inevitable – but Christians often feel ill-prepared to handle conflict in the church. Transforming Church Conflict: A Foundation Course for Leaders is a new training course intended for those in leadership positions in the church, and also for other Christians who want to deal better with conflict. Attend this training course if you want to:
• Develop new skills for handling conflict
• Give time to personal growth as part of a worshipping community
• Be part of a movement that is changing the culture of the church
• Help put the church’s energy to more creative use

This five-day course is focussed on conflict in church settings, and serves as the foundation for further Bridge Builders courses. Held mostly residentially, it builds on our experience of leading similar training since 1996. The course aims to raise self-awareness, to deepen understanding of conflict and to teach methods for transforming conflict. Spaces are limited and early booking is recommended as our courses are regularly over-subscribed. Course participants will be invited to join our Bridge Builders’ Network, of Christians around Britain involved in transforming church conflict.

The course includes teaching, group work and guided practice. Active and practical in focus, the sessions provide hands-on skills training and use role-plays based on the kinds of conflicts encountered in the church. Each day includes times of prayer and worship. The course is intensive and includes some evening sessions; we strongly recommend avoiding any other commitments during the week.

Presenters

The course will be led by Alastair McKay and Liz Holdsworth. Alastair is director of Bridge Builders at the London Mennonite Centre, providing training, mediation and consultancy services to churches since 1996. Alastair has an MA in Conflict Transformation, is studying for a Doctorate of Ministry, and has contributed to the books Making Peace With Conflict (Herald Press, 1999) and How to Become a Creative Church Leader (Canterbury Press, 2008). Liz is the Co-Ministry Partnership Development Officer in the Anglican Diocese of Peterborough, and belongs to the Bridge Builders Network. She is an experienced adult educator, and in her current role develops and delivers training courses with a focus on supporting lay and ordained leaders working together.

Meals and Accommodation

Fifteen residential places are available with accommodation provided from Sunday evening to Thursday evening, and with meals provided each day from Monday breakfast until Friday lunch time, of breakfast, lunch and evening meal, in single room accommodation at the Guy Chester Centre in Muswell Hill, London N10 1PR. Residential spaces are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. The remaining five places are non-residential, with lunch and two evening meals provided; additional evening meals can be purchased for a small fee.

Cost, Application and Cancellation

The standard cost for the course is £750. A special “early bird” discount of £55 is available if booking by 4 June 2010, giving a reduced price of £695. Precedence is given to applicants sponsored by their church or organisation, and who may use the training for its benefit, or to enhance their own ministry. If you are on a very low income, then please contact us to see whether a bursary may be available. A training manual and a style profile are included in the fee.

Spaces are limited to a maximum of 20, so do apply early, as our courses are regularly over-subscribed.

To apply, download the brochure and application form. Print out the application and mail it, with a cheque for £100 made payable to Bridge Builders, to

Bridge Builders
London Mennonite Centre
14 Shepherds Hill
London N6 5AQ

The balance of the fee is due eight weeks before the start of the course (i.e. by 19 July 2010). Once accepted, the £100 deposit is a non-refundable. The full fee is owed if a place is cancelled within six weeks of the course start date (i.e. from 1 August 2010 onwards).

Course Timings

Sunday 7 February: arrival between 5:00 and 10.00 pm (no evening meal)
Monday 8 February to Thursday 11 February:
Either 9:00am-6:00pm, or 9:00am-1:00pm, 3:30-6:00pm, 7:30-9:00pm
Friday 12 February: 9:00am-4:30pm

Course Objectives

1. To increase your self-awareness as a leader facing conflict, so that you become clearer about how others experience you and more confident about some of what you have to offer, and where you may need to grow;
2. To transform your attitude towards conflict and engaging with conflict, so that you are able to face conflict more constructively; and
3. To equip you with practical skills for working with conflict, so that you can engage with conflict more confidently in future.

Course Outcomes

By the end of the course we expect that you will have:
• Developed greater awareness about your own communication style and its impact on others
• Reflected on Biblical resources related to conflict
• Enhanced your skills for communicating effectively in times of conflict
• Practised and learnt skills to facilitate meetings
• Learnt ways of building consensus and working with resistance in groups
• Developed your ability to analyse conflict and to identify what intervention may be appropriate, such as mediation
• Considered ways to nurture a culture of creative engagement with conflict
• Reflected on the type of leadership needed in times of conflict
• Discovered ways that conflict can offer opportunities for growth

What past participants have said about Bridge Builders’ courses:

Learn the value of listening with your heart not just your head. Learn how conflict can go beyond resolution toward transformation!
Revd Nancy Adams, Scottish Episcopalian Convener, Lothian, Scotland

A great opportunity to explore the nature of conflict in our churches and to learn to see new ways of turning it from threat into opportunity.
Ven. Jonathan Greener, Archdeacon of Wakefield

This course is a must for those in church leadership of any sort. Conflict can be a destructive force in the church and leaders need the skills that the course teaches.
Doreen Button, Baptist Deacon, Ashford, Kent

This – for me – was one of the best, and I think most important, courses I have ever been on for my future ministry.
Revd James Booth, Methodist District Chair, Liverpool District

A practical and empowering course that provides valuable insight into conflict.
Revd Stuart Macdonald, Baptist Pastor and Chaplain, Moray, Scotland

This course offers a good mix of introducing new skills, fostering self-awareness and equipping with tools.
Revd Carla Grosch-Miller, URC Minister, Taunton, Somerset

This training has taught me skills and given me tools to not flee from conflict. It was well worth my time.
Revd Mindy Bell, Methodist Minister, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

This was the best course I have ever gone on – it was hard work but so helpful and has given me many tools which I know will benefit my ministry.
Revd Martin Breadmore, Anglican Vicar, Wallington, Surrey