Disagreement and conflict in the church are inevitable. However, it is our response to conflict that is critical. Most Christians want to find better ways to engage with one other in the midst of conflict, and to learn how to handle conflict constructively. Bridge Builders offers a variety of services, including:
Bridge Builders Services
More Information
- Bridge Builders' Network
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- Mission Statement
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- Staff
- Contact Details
- Annual Reports
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Bridge Builders runs practical workshops and courses, ranging from one-off sessions to week-long courses and extended programmes. Our training concentrates on equipping Christians to understand conflict better and to function more effectively in the midst of it. We also train Christians to mediate and to offer consultancy in a church setting. For details of specific events, see our list of upcoming events.
In addition, Bridge Builders staff and associates are available to preach and teach in different settings including worship services, conferences and retreats.
We offer the services of trained mediators when disputes arise between fellow Christians, of whatever denomination. Our mediators work in a range of situations: with individuals, with leadership teams, with whole congregations or other large groups. In our experience, mediation often opens a way forward for Christians who are struggling to work co-operatively together. The key is to help them address their grievances, build their own agreements for the future, and find an opening for God’s work of reconciliation.
Bridge Builders offers church leaders a consultancy service, which ranges from a brief telephone conversation to more intensive coaching – for example, giving support in planning strategies and managing oneself in situations of conflict. We advise denominational leaders and officials on handling specific cases, and on wider issues, such as dialogue processes.
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Group Facilitation and Process Design
Bridge Builders' staff facilitate potentially difficult meetings,and design effective processes for making decisions or processing the past. We specialise in facilitating dialogue in congregational and other large-group settings.
Bridge Builders co-ordinates an ecumenical network of people who have completed a mediation skills training course. The network has regular meetings around the country for further training and mutual support. Members of the network may co-mediate with Bridge Builders staff, or take on cases working with one another; and some, who have received additional training, offer one-day training workshops using Bridge Builders’ materials.
Bridge Builders is able to draw on the wider resources of LMC, which include Metanoia Book Service, a 6,000-book specialist library, a prayer hut and hospitality to guests.
In addition, Bridge Builders has produced a number of articles which can be accessed online, and can be found here: Bridge Builders' Resources & Articles
Bridge Builders has a vision of local churches and their leaders, throughout Great Britain and beyond, functioning in healthy ways with a Biblically-grounded culture of peacemaking, and reaching out to offer this life to the world. A service of the London Mennonite Centre (LMC), Bridge Builders provides training, mediation, consultancy, and related services for all Christian churches and denominations in Britain.
Bridge Builders aims to ground its work in the life and teaching of Jesus and believes that peacemaking and seeking reconciliation are intrinsic aspects of following Jesus faithfully. The vision for Bridge Builders grows out of the historical Mennonite commitment to the way of peace and non-retaliation against enemies as central elements of the Christian gospel.
Details of the current rates for all Bridge Builders’ services are available on request.
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Bridge Builders is headed by a Director, Alastair McKay, who co-founded Bridge Builders in January 1996, and has an MA in Conflict Transformation. Additional staffing comes from a full-time Assistant Director, Colin Patterson, an Anglican priest who is based in Durham, and from a full-time Trainer & Mediator, Sharon Kniss, who has a BA in Justice, Peace, and Conflict Studies.
In addition, Bridge Builders works with a number of associates from around the country and from different denominations.
For further information, contact:
Alastair McKay
Director of Bridge Builders
London Mennonite Centre
14 Shepherds Hill
London N6 5AQ
T 0845 4500 214 / 020 8340 8775
F 020 8341 6807
alastair.mckay(at)menno.org.uk
Colin Patterson
Assistant Director of Bridge Builders
Bridge Builders’ Northern Office
24 Monks’ Crescent
Durham DH1 1HD
T 0845 2410 393 / 0191 383 1031
F 0191 383 1031
colin.patterson(at)menno.org.uk
You can also use our online contact form to send us a message.
Each year Bridge Builders releases a report detailing their activities from the year. You can download these reports in Adobe .pdf format here:
2005 -2006 Building a Contrast-Society
2004 Journeying Towards Reconciliation
2003 Promoting a culture of Peace
2002 Seeking to Become a Peace Church
2001 Making Peace with Conflict in the Church
BB Team 10th Anniversary
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