Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference to focus on Conflict Transformation

At the 2010 Annual Conference meeting of the Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference in June, Bishop Gregory Palmer called on United Methodists to join him in a revival movement that would involve four key initiatives:  Revival, Conflict Transformation, a conference dashboard, and participation in the Imagine No Malaria campaign.

In his 45 minute episcopal address, which was greeted by a standing ovation of nearly 2,000 in attendance, Bishop Palmer described the need for a focus on conflict transformation.

“Too much staff time,” he said, is spent addressing conflicted congregations “without the appropriate ongoing resource to truly transform conflict and embrace reconciliation as a Christian discipline and practice.”   Too many congregations “are off-mission, off-script, off-point and off-focus because of unaddressed and unresolved conflict.”

Because of this, Palmer proposed to launch a “conference-wide ministry on conflict transformation and reconciliation” in which a cadre of lay and clergy volunteers will receive training to become conflict interventionists.

Bishop Palmer was quick to add that the approach to this ministry must be based in truth and mission, not shame and guilt.

Click here to listen to his entire address.