Workshops

The first years of ordained ministry are a good time to develop confidence in facing conflict. Bridge Builders’ training can help to build a firm foundation for future ministry.

Contact us if you have responsibility for organising initial ministerial training. We recommend a day of training as the necessary minimum. If it can be two days, and residential, there will be more than double the value, because there will be more time to build trust and face up to personal challenges.

The training gives new ministers a chance to reflect upon the reality of conflict in concrete situations, and to learn practical skills for building Christian communities that can work at peace-making.

A typical programme covers at least some of the following:

• Our experience of conflict
• Conflict patterns in the church
• Jesus’ call to reconciliation
• Personal styles of approaching conflict
• Careful communication
• Resolving conflict
• Escalation of congregational conflict
• Personal disciplines as a leader

But there is not one “standard” programme, and we will work with you to make sure that the training takes account of the way things work in your context.

The strength of a team can often be measured in terms of how it deals with diversity and disagreement. Bridge Builders’ training can help a team to be intentional about constructive patterns of relating and working, so that every member is valued and supported as a sister or brother in Christ.

Contact us to ask about working with a specific team, such as a local church leadership team, a Bishop’s staff team, a team of regional ministers or a Christian charity team. At least one whole day together is advisable, preferably away from your normal place of work. We can make it a yearly event, or combine it with some specific training in handling conflict.

Typical areas to work on might be:

• Rhythms of team life that deepen relationships and build trust
• Understanding and accepting different styles of communication
• Bringing out the best in others
• Developing a climate where differences of opinion are explored and worked with
• Examining how decisions are made and followed through

There is no “standard” programme, but we will normally expect team members to complete a “style profile” in advance.

Many experienced ministers have never been offered specific training in handling conflict. It can be a welcome relief to tackle the subject at last with the help of Bridge Builders.

Contact us if you have responsibility for organising continuing ministerial development. We would expect to offer at least one day of training. If it can be two days, and residential, there will be more than double the value, because there will be more time to build trust and face up to personal challenges.

The training gives ministers a chance to reflect upon the reality of conflict in concrete situations, learn some new skills, and increase their capacity to offer calm leadership in tense circumstances. Typical subjects include:

• Our experience of conflict
• Conflict patterns in the church
• Jesus’ call to reconciliation
• Personal styles of approaching conflict
• Careful communication
• Resolving conflict
• Escalation of congregational conflict
• Effective decision-making procedures
• Personal disciplines as a leader
• When to seek help such as mediation

But there is not one “standard” programme, and we will work with you to make sure that the training takes account of the particular group of participants.

Most local churches have never offered practical training on handling conflict to their lay leaders. Yet it can make a big different to be given permission to start talking openly about the subject. And learning better ways of dealing with conflict while things are calm can make a church better equipped for those times when tension rises.

Contact us if your church, or a group of local churches are interested in a day-long workshop. We are in touch with people around the UK who have been trained to lead workshops using Bridge Builders’ materials. The training gives participants a chance to reflect upon the reality of conflict in concrete situations, increase their self-awareness, and learn some new skills.

A typical workshop on Making Peace With Conflict in the Church would include these topics:

• Our experience of conflict
• Conflict patterns in the church
• Jesus’ call to reconciliation
• Personal styles of approaching conflict
• Careful communication