Bridge Builders has offered many successful mediation skills training courses since 1996. Increasingly people who have attended the courses and been involved in our Mediators’ Network have asked for follow-up training to equip them to work with congregations. This week of advanced training is a response to that demand.

The five-day Congregational Conflict Consulting course is designed to equip participants to work with congregations in conflict. It will explore the congregational intervention approach used by Bridge Builders. A large-group role-play will be used to illustrate the processes being introduced. The course is geared to those who want to take their mediation skills further, and be equipped to consult with large groups as well as individuals in conflict.

Following the success of previous courses at the London Mennonite Centre (LMC), we are delighted to welcome back David Brubaker to co-lead the course with Alastair McKay. Spaces are limited to only 20 participants, and we hope to have a breadth of different denominations represented.

The course is designed for those who have completed one of Bridge Builders week-long mediation skills training courses. Other applicants who have undertaken equivalent training elsewhere, and who have relevant experience, may apply but will not necessarily be offered a place.

The course will include presentations, group work and role-play. Active and practical in focus, the sessions will emphasise hands-on skills training and the exploration of case studies. Consideration will be given to how processes will need to be adapted to fit different denominational structures. Each day will include times of prayer and worship. Because the course is intensive, significant evening commitments are best avoided during the course.

Presenters

David Brubaker teaches on the faculty of the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University, having worked as a trainer and consultant for many years. He specialises in intervening in internal organisational conflicts, especially in congregations and other religious bodies, and has completed his doctoral research on congregational size transitions and conflict intensity. Dave is co-author of a chapter on conflict in congregations in the book Making Peace With Conflict (Herald Press, 1999).
Alastair McKay is director of Bridge Builders, offering mediation and training services to British churches. He has been conducting training in handling church conflict since 1995, working in the UK and the USA. Alastair has an MA in Conflict Transformation, is studying for a Doctorate of Ministry, and wrote on congregational decision-making in Making Peace With Conflict.
Colin Patterson is an Anglican priest who joined Bridge Builders' staff in October 2005. He has worked as a training officer for the Diocese of Durham and is author of the Grove booklet How to Learn Through Conflict.

Meals and Accommodation
Lunch and refreshments will be provided each day. Participants will need to arrange their own accommodation, breakfast, and evening meal. Contact the London Mennonite Centre if you need help in finding accommodation.
Cost and Application
The cost for the course is £400. Precedence is given to participants sponsored by their church or organisation, and who may use the training for its benefit. Training materials are included in the price, as are refreshments and lunches.

Spaces are limited to a maximum of 20, so do apply early. To apply, download the flyer 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 fees is due six weeks before the start of the course. Once accepted, there is a non-refundable deposit of £50, and the full fee is owed if a place is cancelled within two weeks of the course start date. Cheques will not be banked until acceptance onto the course.

Programme Overview
9:00 am - 5:30 pm daily (unless otherwise indicated)

Monday 2 July
• Sculpting Exercise • Overview of Family Systems Theory •
Effective Groups • Leadership Models • Decision-Making and Consensus

Tuesday 3 July
• Overview of Intervention Model • Levels of Conflict • Assessment Tools • Denominational Adaptations • Initial Contact and Entry Considerations • Information-Gathering

Wednesday 4 July
• Information-Gathering (cont) • Assessment and Interim Reporting • Process Recommendations • Reference Committees

Thursday 5 July
• Healing – Samoan Circle • Cultural Dimensions • Problem-Solving

Friday 6 July (4:00pm finish)
• Ethical Issues • Intervention Closure • Alternative Approaches • Conclusion and Review

Download the flyer and application form for this course(in pdf format)