Conversations with Churches

Pastors and leaders within the denomination are finding themselves having conversations with churches that some may find difficult. 

Several resources are available to help. 

Bishop Harvey's PowerPoint
 

Bishop Harvey conducted a wide ranging Listening Session across the Conference and her PowerPoint is available as a resource for use in the local church. To receive a copy, please send an email to the Communications Department. 

Courageous Conversations

Courageous Conversations is a project of Discipleship Ministries. The goal of Courageous Conversations is learning through questioning one's own assumptions and others' assumptions, while having careful and structured dialog. Many congregants hesitate to engage in difficult conversations because they are fearful of causing further harm to relationships or they believe the discussions are pointless because they will not result in changed opinions.
 
A sample outline for how to plan and conduct a Courageous Conversation about the Way Forward proposals is available online here. The outline includes four sessions, with PowerPoint^© presentation templates, but allows for flexibility to meet a specific congregation's needs.
 
An online pamphlet, How to Have a Courageous Conversation, is available here.
 
Courageous Conversation outlines are available from Discipleship Ministries on other topics, including Gun Violence, Race, Immigration, Climate Change and Human Sexuality.
 
For more information about Courageous Conversations, including tools for leaders, sample outlines, sample guidelines, webinars, prayer guide and blog, visit the Discipleship Ministries website.