Posts in the ‘For Churches’ Category

Women involved in peacebuilding tend to gravitate to efforts that entail sustained interfaith and intrafaith relationship building, approaching peace work from a holistic perspective that highlights the community.

To thrive is already to know that decisions of great theological weight and importance may well hang on our ability to acknowledge deep conflict and respond to its presence with discerning wisdom.

The 2011 School of Christian Mission book is now available for purchase at the United Methodist Women’s online store. Written by Stephanie Hixon and Thomas Porter of JustPeace, the study shows us the redemptive power of forgiveness: forgiveness for the victim, the perpetrator, and the entire community.

When the leader is willing to be honest and humble in her/his reporting, it creates a culture where others can be honest about their shortfalls and celebrations as well. Then, instead of shortfalls leading to punishment, embarrassment or punitive action, it can lead to growth and a culture of honesty and accountability.

“Church tends to make us somewhat anxious,” said Rev. Bill Selby at the 2011 Kansas Area Professional Ministry Seminar in Wichita Jan. 11-13. “There’s a lot of anxiety in the church these days.”

“A youth pastor could be the most likely person they will trust. So we have to prepare them to be the trusted adult,” Aftab said. “They need to understand cyberbullying and sexting. They need to understand how the technology works and how it’s abused. You have a precious few minutes to do it right, and if you do it wrong you’ll never hear from them again.”

Summer Grove United Methodist Church hosted a four-person panel of professional experts and high school students to shed light on hassling at school or online. After the talk, the group lit candles to honor and memorialize bullies’ victims.

In our congregations, often, we create our enemies in our hearts, minds and imaginations. It is not about what they do; it is about our choice of responses. In the end, in many situations, our enemies are in our hearts, minds and imaginations.

Conflict is inevitable, but in the midst of it we can make thoughtful decisions on how we can manage it creatively. We can work together to develop win-win solutions instead of attacking opponents and focus on active listening and assertiveness in order to reach solutions.

Alarmed by the rising tide of Islamophobia and resulting backlash against the Muslim community taking place across the United States as well as in other parts of the world, the United Religions Initiative (URI) were compelled to take action.