Just Remind Me? The Bible and Conflict
Course Introduction
Want to refresh some of the key ideas from TC1?
This workshop is designed for people who have previously completed a Bridge Builders Transforming Conflict 1/Transforming Church Conflict course. (see below*) It’s one of a series called Just Remind Me?, offering opportunities to refresh and build on some of the key ideas from the foundation course and embed those ideas in our practice and local context.
The Bible and Conflict
One of the first things we notice when we start reading the Bible through a “conflict lens” is just how much conflict there is in the scriptural narratives! When tensions arise and systemic anxiety is high , the temptation is to “weaponise” scripture, “triangling” in the Bible to reinforce our own perspective and condemn the “other”. But the scriptures can be a rich resource for personal learning about how we approach situations of conflict, and an equally rich resource for developing a culture that approaches difference thoughtfully and with curiosity and open-handedness.
This short workshop provides opportunities to explore and reflect on how we might approach scripture as a gift for engaging with conflict. Focussing on certain passages, we will share the insights that emerge when we read them through a conflict or systems lens.
There will also be opportunities to reflect on how we, as leaders, might apply these insights in our own context and offer ways into creative engagement with scripture as a resource for growing healthy relationships in our own communities.
Programme
Overview
Running from 10:00am to 12:45pm, the programme includes presentation and an opportunity to reflect with others on practical examples and personal experience.
Main elements of the workshop:
- Exploring insights we gain as we read the scriptures through a “conflict lens”
- Reflecting on our role as leaders in encouraging the use of scripture as a resource for working with differences in our own contexts
- Opportunities to work on practical examples and to share experience with others
Course Pre-work
Prior to the workshop it would be helpful for you to revisit the section on Conflict and the Bible in the Transforming Conflict 1/Transforming Church Conflict course manual. You will also be asked to bring examples from your own experience – more details will be given prior to the workshop.
Cost and Location
Cost £40. The workshop takes place online via Zoom. Details of the Zoom link will be circulated shortly before the event.
*Please note: the workshop is primarily for those who have previously completed our foundation course, Transforming Conflict 1 or its predecessor Transforming Church Conflict, but if you have colleagues who might be interested in attending as an introduction to Bridge Builders, then please do encourage them to book.
Booking and Cancellation
To apply, add a ticket to your cart below below. If you are subsequently unable to attend, please do let us know as soon as possible, in order to release a place for someone else.
If no more places are available and you would like to be added to a waiting list, please contact us on 020 3752 3050 or email bb@bbministries.org.uk.
If you experience any difficulty logging into our website, please contact us on 020 3752 3050.
What You'll Learn
Attend this course if you want to:
Main elements of the workshop:
- Exploring insights we gain as we read the scriptures through a “conflict lens”
- Reflecting on our role as leaders in encouraging the use of scripture as a resource for working with differences in our own contexts
- Opportunities to work on practical examples and to share experience with others
Book for this workshop if you found you wish to think more deeply about how you personally engage with the Bible as a leader and work to create a culture of drawing creatively on scriptural resources to engage in constructive conversations about difference in your own context.
Presenters
Liz Griffiths is Director of Training for Bridge Builders. She is an Anglican Priest and has a broad experience of both parish ministry and adult education. Liz has worked in city centre and urban estate parishes, and as Vice-Principal of the Eastern Region Ministry Course, helping to train ordained and lay ministers.
Rupert Ward is a Bridge Builders Training Partner. He leads a church in the centre of Edinburgh and is increasingly devoting time to training and facilitation of leadership groups in other churches & charities. He has trained in facilitation, counselling and theology.
Sue Haslehurst lives in Oxford where she has trained as a restorative justice facilitator and community mediator. Sue previously led a Mennonite Church in London, where she first came across the work of Bridge Builders, and she has also been a lay leader in the small Baptist church to which she now belongs. Sue has been part of the Bridge Builders team since 2015, first as a Training Partner and now as a member of staff.
Course Timings
Key Dates:
Thursday December 3rd 2026
The course will start at 10.00am and finish at 12.45pm
Accommodation
Costs & Booking
Fees
Cost: £40.00
Booking & Cancellation
To apply, add a ticket to your cart below below. If you are subsequently unable to attend, please do let us know as soon as possible, in order to release a place for someone else.
If no more places are available and you would like to be added to a waiting list, please contact us on 020 3752 3050 or email bb@bbministries.org.uk.
If you experience any difficulty logging into our website, please contact us on 020 3752 3050.