Many churches are afraid of conflict and avoid it at all costs, but conflict is a gift! Conflict is simply the presence of two or more ideas occupying the same space. A congregation must have some conflict to be a healthy, vital congregation. If there is no conflict it means there is nothing worth being passionate or excited about and apathy is a bigger stumbling block to vitality than conflict! How a church chooses to handle conflict however can either be constructive or destructive to our life together in faith. This teaching session will outline some of the critical concepts of effective conflict management and offer some techniques to transform the struggle from something to be feared into the gift it can be for your congregation. The workshop will be led by members of the Iowa Conference Conflict transformation team coordinated by Rev. Dave Crow, Chairperson & Rev. Dr. Jaye Johnson, Director of Congregational Excellence.A multiethnic movement has already begun, and the church is primed to lead the way. This workshop will focus on how to build healthy multiethnic congregations for both church planters and those seeking to transform ethnically homogeneous churches. If you’re looking to build a multiethnic ministry and don’t know where to start, you’re not alone—this is church on the cutting edge! Attend this workshop and get a glimpse of God’s vision for the future.
