Posts in the ‘For Churches’ Category

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.

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.

Groups require healthy conflict to grow and mature over time. Any group that cannot engage in constructive and healthy conflict is doomed to stagnation or implosion when unhealthy conflict takes over.

Those who look back at me from beyond human made barriers of separation are very much like someone I know well. They are very much like me.

On this 2nd Anniversary of the international launching of The Charter for Compassion, it is exciting to report that in June, the Desert Southwest Conference of the United Methodist Church passed Commitment to Kindness – Living an Ethic of Reciprocity, Resolution.

Craig Gilliam facilitates an event in Louisiana. “The Choice in Conflict Transformation: How do we as leaders help our congregations move through conflict in a positive, mature way?” December 5-7, 2011

“Bullies, Victims & Bystanders: A Seminar for Youths and Adults” will be offered Saturday, Oct. 22, at Wauwatosa Avenue United Methodist Church here.

“And I am impressed with our church members who, on the day after the break-in, were already talking about forgiving and moving on and how God could bring something good out of this.”

The United Methodist Women have put together a video of an interfaith conversation led by Harriet Olson, Deputy General Secretary of the United Methodist Women, on what the Christian, Muslim, and Jewish communities have experienced together since 9/11.

Coming this Fall on PBS, will be a bold new mini-series, Women, War & Peace. The series, which begins in October 2011, challenges “the conventional wisdom that war and peace are men’s domain and to place women at the center of an urgent dialogue about conflict and security.”