Engaging Congregational Conflict Constructively: Understanding Your System and Yourself

"Engaging Congregational Conflict Constructively: Understanding your system and yourself."

Rev. Jennifer Hope Kottler Life and Leadership Coach, Spiritual Director and Transitional Ministry Specialist Interim Assistant Pastor at Fox Valley Presbyterian Church, Geneva, IL

Abstract/Description What just happened?!?! One minute all seems to be going swell – or at least pretty well – and the next minute, your hearing from your pastor-parish relations committee that things have changed. Drastically.

Or…things are ok on the surface, but you have sense that something is brewing, waiting to bubble up if the conditions are right.

Sometimes even for us pastors, congregational conflict seems to come out of nowhere. But does it? Often understanding “the system” of the congregation can help us understand our part in the conflict – and the way in which choosing how we interact in the system can help or hinder our effectiveness as leaders.

Rev. Kottler has experienced congregational conflict firsthand and has coached many pastors who are leading in the midst of difficult situations. She understands congregational dynamics and all the factors that fuel conflict, including our own best intentions.

March 14, 2016 (Bethany College; Mountainside Conference Center) 10am to 4pm

Schedule:

Arrive 9:30am (Coffee, Continental Breakfast)

Session 1: 10am to 12:15pm

10:00 – 11:00am Session 1: The Way of Conflict 11:00 – 11:15am Break 11:15 – 12:15pm Session 2: A Failure of Nerve

Lunch 12:15 to 1:15pm (Table Questions)

Session 2: 1:15 to 4pm 1:15 – 2:15pm Session 3: Creating a Healthier Church 2:15 – 2:30pm Break 2:30 – 3:30pm Session 4: Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times 3:30 – 4:00pm Wrap Up

Bibliography: Combs, Deidre. The Way of Conflict: Elemental Wisdom for Resolving Disputes and Transcending Differences. 2004: New World Library, Novato, CA. Friedman, Edwin. A Failure of Nerve: Leadership in the Age of the Quick Fix. 2007: Seabury Press, a division of Church Publishing, New York.

Richardson, Ronald W. Creating a Healtier Church: Family Systems Theory, Leadership and Congregational Life. 1996: Fortress Press, Minneapolis.

Steinke, Peter L. Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times: Being Calm and Courageous No Matter What. 2006: The Alban Institute, Herndon, Virginia. A Failure of Nerve (Friedman)