Conflict
By Craig Bossi and Matt Foreman
In recent years, we have seen an unprecedented rise in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, rhetoric and initiatives. In Silent No More, Craig Bossi and Matt Foreman raise questions that encourage us to reflect on how we as Christians an…
By Kay Collier McLaughlin
“Suwa Bona… I See You, I Hear You” by Kay Collier McLaughlin introduces ‘Holy Conversations,’ a process developed in the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington to help congregations paralyzed by conflict, anger, grief, and/or fear be…
By Loren Mead
There ARE crises that come along that you have to meet.
By Ward Richards
Conflict. It’s inevitable. It occurs every day, in every facet of our lives.
By Henry Nutt Parsley, Jr.
Conflict can be difficult, especially in the church.
By Katharine Jefferts Schori
Conflict and controversy are intrinsic to the church, even if many of us would prefer to live and worship in communities that never disagreed about anything.
By William G. Andersen, Jr.
Don’t read this piece if you are looking for some McGod off the shelf, for religious leadership in uncertain times is not about a quick fix.
By Titus Presler
“What do you think is going to happen?” is a question I hear often in discussions of the aftermath of the sexuality decisions of the 2003 General Convention.
By Peggy Treadwell
The greatest gift vestry members can give their churches is creative, positive challenge and support of their rector(s).
By Lindsay Hardin Freeman
Skeletons in the sacristy? We have one — figuratively, at least — in our church.
By Nancy Davidge
Highly functioning, fruitful vestries are built on transparency and respect.
By Scott Gunn
In “Tone Matters,” Scott Gunn looks at how poor communications can cause hurt feelings and offers steps you can take to minimize misunderstandings and create an environment of truthfulness and love.
By Neal O. Michell
In human interactive terms, a triangle occurs when each of two opposing parties seeks to join with a third party against the other, with the third party finding it necessary to cooperate now with one and now with another of t…
By Richard H. Schmidt
The name Richard Hooker rings no bell for most vestry members. More than a few clergy haven’t heard of him, either.
By Ken Howard
Ken Howard serves a congregation that attributes its health to its practice of “being church first, do church second.” In “Vestry as Body of Christ”, Ken shares how this understanding plays out in the structure and processes …
By Cate Anthony
Cancel-culture and the associated idea of irredeemability it carries has become common in our world. But how do we reconcile that as Christians? In Call-out Culture’s Shadow Side, Cate Anthony raises important questions on ju…
By Nancy Davidge
Effective teams need a safe and open work environment where all members can openly share their ideas, concerns, and hopes. In “A New Year, A New Vestry” Nancy Davidge looks at how norms and covenants can help a vestry create …
By Kay Collier McLaughlin
Can we learn new ways of dealing with conflict? Kay Collier McLaughlin’s “Trying To 'Get Along' In A Really Strange, Big Family” offers an approach to help congregational leaders identify destructive behaviors and replace the…
By Anna Olson
“One size fits all” never fits anyone well. Anna Olson identifies two dominant norms for managing conflict that, given the cultural context of a congregation, may undermine attempts to support healthier communication.
By C. K. Robertson
We start by looking back to the early days of Christianity. In “From Factions to Families: Lessons from 1 Corinthians,” C.K. Robertson reminds us that Paul’s advice to the Corinthians has stood the test of time. He suggests w…