A
reflection on the benefits of ecumenical relationships and networking in
dealing with issues associated with conflict and reconciliation
by Pastor Susan M. Lang, consultant in leadership and congregational
support and owner of RevWriter
Resources, LLC.
A rural congregation in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod
tragically began this year with the murder of a volunteer who was
working in their church office. This congregation felt violated by this
inconceivable and deadly crime. Immediately after the shooting, I was
sent in as a crisis management consultant to work with church leadership
as they sought to identify their needs during their corporate grieving.
Two months later, another member of the church was arrested for the
murder that police say was committed out of jealousy.
But, this congregation is not alone in suffering this type of extreme
trauma and pain. In December 2007, a gunman shot and killed members at
both the New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado and the Youth
with a Mission center in Arvada, Colorado. In July 2008, another gunman,
apparently angered by what he identified as “liberal policies,” killed
two people at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist located in
Knoxville, Tennessee.
When I wrote, Our Community: Dealing with Conflict in Our
Congregation (Augsburg Fortress, 2002), I never imagined that six years
later I’d serve as a consultant in a congregation where a murder had
been committed. Nor could I have imagined that by typing “church
shooting” into an Internet search engine, that I’d find quite so many
news stories and links. Violence in our society is pervasive, touching
even our sacred houses of worship and prayer. The necessity for
education and work in the areas of conflict and reconciliation has never
been greater.
Consultants who have experience working with congregations in turmoil
and conflict are often called upon to assist with the education process.
As the church of the twenty-first century continues to evolve, the need
for the identification of capable consultants and other resource people
will grow. As with all ministry efforts , we are stronger and more
effective when we join forces ecumenically to identify resources and
connect them with synods and congregations who need their services.
Beginning in late 2006, I conducted a survey for the Vocation and
Education unit to explore the use of coaches, consultants, and other
resource people within our sixty-five synods. Since last August,
Vocation and Education has become a central partner in a conversation to
develop a faith-based ecumenical resource network of coaches,
consultants, and spiritual directors. A major focus of these discussions
is the identification of competent and trustworthy resource people to
strengthen ministry capacity through all expressions of the church of
Christ. We now have a Steering Committee with representatives from the
ELCA, Episcopal Church, Presbyterian Church (USA), United Methodist
Church, and the Alban Institute.
We’re currently working on the development of a network database of
resource people and other stakeholders in the conversation. Plans are
also in the works to hold a creative consultation in 2009/2010 which
would gather approximately 150 stakeholders and credentialing
organizations to further network governance and formation.
In addition to this larger denominational work, a grass roots
ecumenical group known as the Philadelphia Area Ecumenical Resource
Network, has been meeting in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania region.
Judicatory representatives from the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, the
Presbytery of Philadelphia, and the Diocese of Pennsylvania have met
with coaches, consultants, and spiritual directors. Together, they are
working on the development of a local network. The immediate benefits of
this ecumenical effort are seen in the connections that are developing
between the resource people, themselves, and the judicatory
representatives. On both levels of the conversation we have found that
networking with ecumenical partners not only deepens Christian unity,
but multiplies ministry resources and capacity.
The story of the congregation in the Southeastern Pennsylvania synod
in which the murder occurred had an unexpected ecumenical connection.
When the congregation was barred from using its building until police
finished their murder investigation, the United Church of Christ
congregation down the road welcomed the Lutherans into their building
for two community prayer services. They recognized their unity as the
Body of Christ and came to the support of their Lutheran neighbors at
their time of grief. They knew what we all need to recognize: We are
stronger in ministry, together. Always..
What can you do to address the issues of conflict and
reconciliation in your community?
- Meet with ecumenical partners to discuss community needs in the
areas of conflict and reconciliation.
- The
Association
for Conflict Resolution has named the third Thursday in October,
“Conflict Resolution Day.“ The
World
Mediation Forum is now a co-sponsor. Talk to ecumenical partners in
your area about ways you might join to engage in education on issues
related to conflict and reconciliation in your community.
- Learn more about the
Decade to
Overcome Violence.
- Work with ecumenical partners to host one of the
Lombard Mennonite Peace Center’s
Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders.
Suggested Reading:
Our Community: Dealing with Conflict in Our Congregation discusses
the reality of conflict in our communities of faith. It begins with a
definition of conflict grounded in who we are as the people of God and
discusses the difference between unhealthy and healthy communications.
Ritual and Symbol in Peacebuilding focuses on the symbolic,
non-verbal acts involved in peacebuilding. An excellent resource!
For more information on the
emerging Faith-Based Ecumenical Resource Network, contact any of the
following participants:
Pastor Sue Lang, sue@revwriter.com;
Pastor Dick Bruesehoff,
Richard.Bruesehoff@elca.org; or Pastor Paul Blom,
PJBlom41@gmail.com.
Additional information and our network concept paper is posted at:
http://www.revwriter.com/congregational/ministrynetwork/index.shtml
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