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Tuesday, June 20, 2006
How Congregations Heal From Conflict: Study By Indianapolis Center For Congregations Demonstrates Transformational Power Of Conflict
NEWS RELEASE: For Immediate Release
For More Information Contact: Brent Bill
bbill@centerforcongregations.org or 317-237-7799
Indianapolis—Indianapolis Center for Congregations released the results of a nine-month study that revealed successful approaches to helping congregations heal from internal conflicts.
“Early in our work the topic of conflict transformation surfaced as a major need for congregations,” said Dr. Nancy DeMott, director of resources at the Indianapolis Center for Congregations. “Pain abounds in congregations, but the possibility for transformation of congregational life awaits those who learn to deal well with conflict.”
Indianapolis Center for Congregations helps Indianapolis-area congregations find solutions to pressing practical problems. The center connects congregations with excellent local and national resources for a variety of issues, including information technology, congregational vitality, building maintenance, leadership training and board development. The Center for Congregations shares what it learns from experiences in Indianapolis with congregations across the country. Affiliated with The Alban Institute in Herndon, Va., and funded by the Lilly Endowment Inc., the center’s services are offered free of charge to congregations.
For this study, the center interviewed 11 congregational conflict consultants of varying faiths and denominations.
Key findings of the study include:
> The nature of conflict has changed. “In the 1960s it was race issues,” said Speed Leas, senior consultant at The Alban Institute. “In the 1970s and 1980s it was the leadership roles of women. Since the millennium the issues have to do with homosexuality or worship styles. But the most frequent topic of congregational fighting continues to be related to the authority of the clergy to make decisions in the congregation.”
> Congregational conflict is inevitable and helpful. Most of the consultants believe conflict is a vital part of individual and congregational growth. “The Community of Christ (formerly known as the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints) emphasizes that conflict has been a part of the church from the beginning of time,” says Sandee Gamut, executive minister. “We believe this is intentional by God, not an accident.”
Research participant Dave Ebling, who works for Peacemaker Ministries in Billings, Mt., said he helps congregations see that conflict is an assignment from God. “It is an opportunity to grow in spiritual maturity if everyone is willing to take responsibility for their own contributions,” said Ebling, whose work is based on a biblical model of peacemaking.
> Most consultants employ theology and spiritual discernment into interventions. DeMott said this application helps congregations understand the presence of God in the situation. The study also showed many of the mediators pray with the congregants for healing of conflicts.
The approach of John Savage, founder of LEAD consultants in Canal Winchester, Ohio, is founded in creation theology—the belief that God creates new birth and new beginnings from endings. A belief he shares with congregations is that “pain is your friend, not your enemy,” Savage said. “God is in the pain to renew it.”
> Most congregations wait too long to get help. The study found that congregations in unhealthy behavior and communication patterns wait too long to seek outside assistance, DeMott said. Conflicts escalate before consultants are called.
“Many churches are “comatose,” said Savage. “They are sitting on so much pain they are half dead.”
“The healthier the congregation the more quickly it will seek help,” said Jill Hudson, retired executive presbyter for the Whitewater Valley Presbytery in Indianapolis.
Congregations who have a history of being healthy want to be healthy again,” said Rabbi Samuel Joseph of the Union Hebrew Seminary in Cincinnati. Rabbi Joseph grounds his approach in the Hebrew word Shalom, which means peace or wholeness.
The study also showed that although the spiritual basis for mediation approaches varied, the consultants shared common tools of data gathering, listening to all voices in a non-biased, even-handed manner, and creating a safe space for members and clergy to share feelings.
Fees for outside mediation ranged between $1,200 to $1,500 per day, plus expenses. Consultants spent from three to 15 days with the congregation, depending on its needs. Most of the consultants provided written reports of recommendations and made follow up visits and phone calls.
The study reported that the consultants measured the success of their interventions by observing feelings of hope and forgiveness, reduction in tension and ongoing use of healthy communication strategies learned during the intervention.
Virstan B.Y. Choy, general presbyter for the San Francisco Presbytery, said he looks for healing of relationships and restored trust and respect for members involved in a conflict. “I don’t believe all problems can be solved, but we are successful when the congregation can say, ‘We can handle this now.’”
*****
About Religion Press Release Services
Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others.
The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.
Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.
Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777
For More Information Contact: Brent Bill
bbill@centerforcongregations.org or 317-237-7799
Indianapolis—Indianapolis Center for Congregations released the results of a nine-month study that revealed successful approaches to helping congregations heal from internal conflicts.
“Early in our work the topic of conflict transformation surfaced as a major need for congregations,” said Dr. Nancy DeMott, director of resources at the Indianapolis Center for Congregations. “Pain abounds in congregations, but the possibility for transformation of congregational life awaits those who learn to deal well with conflict.”
Indianapolis Center for Congregations helps Indianapolis-area congregations find solutions to pressing practical problems. The center connects congregations with excellent local and national resources for a variety of issues, including information technology, congregational vitality, building maintenance, leadership training and board development. The Center for Congregations shares what it learns from experiences in Indianapolis with congregations across the country. Affiliated with The Alban Institute in Herndon, Va., and funded by the Lilly Endowment Inc., the center’s services are offered free of charge to congregations.
For this study, the center interviewed 11 congregational conflict consultants of varying faiths and denominations.
Key findings of the study include:
> The nature of conflict has changed. “In the 1960s it was race issues,” said Speed Leas, senior consultant at The Alban Institute. “In the 1970s and 1980s it was the leadership roles of women. Since the millennium the issues have to do with homosexuality or worship styles. But the most frequent topic of congregational fighting continues to be related to the authority of the clergy to make decisions in the congregation.”
> Congregational conflict is inevitable and helpful. Most of the consultants believe conflict is a vital part of individual and congregational growth. “The Community of Christ (formerly known as the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints) emphasizes that conflict has been a part of the church from the beginning of time,” says Sandee Gamut, executive minister. “We believe this is intentional by God, not an accident.”
Research participant Dave Ebling, who works for Peacemaker Ministries in Billings, Mt., said he helps congregations see that conflict is an assignment from God. “It is an opportunity to grow in spiritual maturity if everyone is willing to take responsibility for their own contributions,” said Ebling, whose work is based on a biblical model of peacemaking.
> Most consultants employ theology and spiritual discernment into interventions. DeMott said this application helps congregations understand the presence of God in the situation. The study also showed many of the mediators pray with the congregants for healing of conflicts.
The approach of John Savage, founder of LEAD consultants in Canal Winchester, Ohio, is founded in creation theology—the belief that God creates new birth and new beginnings from endings. A belief he shares with congregations is that “pain is your friend, not your enemy,” Savage said. “God is in the pain to renew it.”
> Most congregations wait too long to get help. The study found that congregations in unhealthy behavior and communication patterns wait too long to seek outside assistance, DeMott said. Conflicts escalate before consultants are called.
“Many churches are “comatose,” said Savage. “They are sitting on so much pain they are half dead.”
“The healthier the congregation the more quickly it will seek help,” said Jill Hudson, retired executive presbyter for the Whitewater Valley Presbytery in Indianapolis.
Congregations who have a history of being healthy want to be healthy again,” said Rabbi Samuel Joseph of the Union Hebrew Seminary in Cincinnati. Rabbi Joseph grounds his approach in the Hebrew word Shalom, which means peace or wholeness.
The study also showed that although the spiritual basis for mediation approaches varied, the consultants shared common tools of data gathering, listening to all voices in a non-biased, even-handed manner, and creating a safe space for members and clergy to share feelings.
Fees for outside mediation ranged between $1,200 to $1,500 per day, plus expenses. Consultants spent from three to 15 days with the congregation, depending on its needs. Most of the consultants provided written reports of recommendations and made follow up visits and phone calls.
The study reported that the consultants measured the success of their interventions by observing feelings of hope and forgiveness, reduction in tension and ongoing use of healthy communication strategies learned during the intervention.
Virstan B.Y. Choy, general presbyter for the San Francisco Presbytery, said he looks for healing of relationships and restored trust and respect for members involved in a conflict. “I don’t believe all problems can be solved, but we are successful when the congregation can say, ‘We can handle this now.’”
*****
About Religion Press Release Services
Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others.
The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.
Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.
Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777
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About Religion Press Release ServicesReligion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others. The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.
Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.
Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777
