in Vestry Papers and filtered by Conflict, Advocacy
By Scott Petersen
What can a church learn from a soccer referee? In “title” Scott Peterson, priest and a soccer referee, draws our attention to the ways an experienced referee, in the heat of the moment restores order and engenders trust in his/her decisions. He offers the referee’s steps as a guide for reacting to conflict when it flares up in a church setting.
By Bonnie Anderson
Speaking up is important in congregations headed down the path of – or embroiled in – conflict and angst. In “The Courage to Speak” Bonnie Anderson reminds congregational leaders of the promise we made in our baptismal covenant to respect the dignity of every human being. She offers approaches for clergy and laity to consider that might head off these difficult situations.
By Richard Simpson
Are you conflict averse? Most of us learn at an early age to sometimes give the expected answer – rather than a truthful answer - as a way to avoid conflict. In “Overcome Being Conflict Averse” Rich Simpson names this phenomenon and invites leaders to help their congregations move past this conflict avoiding behavior and instead discover how having difficult conversations may instead lead...
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 them with healthier alternatives.
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 Jerry Keucher
Leadership and finances are the areas most cited by Episcopal churches as sources of conflict. Jerry Keucher shares why leaders need to address the underlying problem(s) fueling that conflict.
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 we have a choice: Unlike the Corinthians who ignored Paul’s advice, we can choose to listen and take seriously the challenge he offers us.
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 that safe space.
By Nancy Davidge
La Pascua trae consigo una invitación para explorar nueva vida y resurrección en nuestras vidas, nuestras feligresías y comunidades, así como en el mundo del que somos parte. Mi diócesis – Massachusetts – nos invita a explorar y actuar sobre la vida y la resurrección de Jesús “Respondiendo al llamado urgente de Dios. Juntos”.
¿Qué pasa, sin embargo, cuando a uno le está costand...
By Nathan Davis
Después de meses de temperaturas bajo cero y de semanas llenas de anticipación, la primavera por fin ha llegado a Chicago. Como nativo de Carolina del Norte, estoy más que listo para disfrutar el tiempo cálido… y la oportunidad de volver a cultivar el huerto de nuestra iglesia.
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