Posts in the ‘Articles’ Category

“Finally an acknowledgement that, first, we [women] are the ones that bare the greatest brunt of all of the world’s conflicts.” – Leymah Gbowee

Faith & Leadership: A divided world does not need a church free of conflict and sin but a church that models how conflict and sin can be transformed into peace.

She saw only too clearly the fragility of peace, saying that peace needs to be nurtured as carefully as an egg. Dekha found deep fulfilment in enabling others to develop their full potential as leaders for peace and justice, never seeking the limelight for herself.

Shivering, he cried for forgiveness. “I come to you as a prodigal son. Please forgive me.” The two women whose materials had been stolen emerged from the congregation and gave him a big hug.

Kuany shared his story of destruction, survival and redemption with a packed auditorium at the World Methodist Council at the Lake Junaluska, (N.C.) Conference and Retreat Center.

The Lyndon United Methodist Women hosted a mission study about restorative justice on Oct. 29. The guest speaker was Stan Basler, J.D., and director of Criminal Justice and Mercy Ministries for the Oklahoma Annual Conference.

In a culture of violence, what has to happen within the political, economic, social, educational and development agendas to engage and enable the reconciliation of communities and individuals? What are the things that make for peace?

Both commitments require that I hold myself strictly accountable for how I am seeing others in every encounter. I no longer make excuses or craft ways to justify my behaviors. I own my mistakes and do everything I can to invite those I have hurt to reconciliation and wholeness again.

The next time you experience an issue over email, ask yourself if it is something that would be better served by a real conversation. Then have the courage to stop emailing and pick up the phone. Or even better: have a meeting.

Holy conferencing starts from our own stories—it is more about who we are together than who is right. Conversations that intentionally use principles of holy conferencing have an emphasis on listening over talking.