***This Course is now FULL. We are still accepting applications for a waiting list. For more information please contact us.***
This five-day training course is intended for anyone with some leadership responsibility in the church. It starts from the idea that conflict is normal and inevitable – but Christians often feel ill-prepared to handle conflict in the church.
Attend this course if you want to:
- Develop new skills for handling and transforming conflict
- Give time to personal growth as part of a worshipping community
- Be part of a movement that is changing the culture of the church
- Help put the church’s energy to more creative use
The course is focused on conflict in church settings, and serves as the foundation for further Bridge Builders courses. Held residentially, it is built on our experience of leading similar training since 1996. The course aims to raise self-awareness, to deepen understanding of conflict and to teach methods for transforming conflict. Participants will be invited to join our Bridge Builders’ Network, of Christians around Britain involved in transforming church conflict.
The course includes teaching, group work and guided practice. Active and practical in focus, the sessions provide hands-on skills training and use role-plays based on the kinds of conflicts encountered in the church. Each day includes times of prayer and worship. The course is intensive and includes some evening sessions; we strongly recommend avoiding any other commitments during the week.
Click for more about what's in the course.
Click for comments from recent participants.
Click for a full brochure 
TCCFeb2012brochurev3.pdf
Presenters
The course will be led by Colin Patterson and Sandra Cobbin, assisted by Sam Moyer. Colin is assistant director of Bridge Builders, and an Anglican priest. He has worked as a training officer for the Diocese of Durham, is an experienced adult educator and is author of the Grove booklet How to Learn Through Conflict. Sandra is an independent trainer and consultant, who belongs to the Bridge Builders Network. She works with business and church leaders on management and leadership skills. Sam joined Bridge Builders as a staff worker in September 2009. He is a graduate of Goshen College, Indiana, where his degree in psychology had a special focus on conflict studies.
Meals and Accomodation
The course is residential, with accommodation provided from Sunday evening to Thursday evening, and with meals provided each day from Sunday evening until Friday lunch time, of breakfast, lunch and evening meal, in single room accommodation at the Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick.
Course Timings
Sunday 5 February: arrival from 5:00pm; dinner 6:30pm; session at 7:30pm
Monday 6 and Thursday 9 February 9:00am-6:00pm
Tues 7 and Wed 8 February 9:00am-1:00pm, 3:30-6:00pm, 7:30-9:00pm
Friday 10 February: 9:00am-4:30pm
Cost & Application
The standard cost for the course is £770. A special “early bird” discount of £75 is available if booking by 30 November 2011, giving a reduced price of £695. Where needed, precedence is given to applicants sponsored by their church or organisation, and who may use the training for its benefit, or to enhance their own ministry. If you are on a very low income, then please contact us to see whether a bursary may be available. A training manual and a style profile are included in the fee.
Spaces are limited to a maximum of 24, so do apply early, as our courses are regularly over-subscribed.
To apply, click the button under the Event Properties box below. Applications remain provisional until Bridge Builders has received a deposit of £100. The balance of the fee is due eight weeks before the start of the course (i.e. by 12 December 2011). Click for information on payment methods and cancellation policy.
***This Course is now FULL. We are still accepting applications for a waiting list. For more information please contact us.***
Foundation Courses