Equipping and Preparing the Committee on Ministry for Conflict Intervention

This model for equipping and preparing follows the model “Steps for Conflict Utilization” in the COM Handbook of the PC(USA), Section 6-3. Modules A, B and C are 2 days in length (morning and afternoon two days or 4 periods of 3 hours each). Modules D and E are one day. Modules A, B and C can be spaced two to four weeks apart for preparation time and learning integration. Modules D and E will be conducted at 4-6 month intervals.

• Module A: Taking Cognizance and Systems Thinking
  • Review of Presbytery Policies on Intervention in times of Conflict
    • Reading:
      Book of Order Materials
      COM Handbook Materials
      Presbytery policies and handbooks
      Traditions and history in this presbytery
  • Review of Systems Thinking—getting on the balcony
    The basic mental model, seeing things whole and interconnected
    • Reading:
      Sawyer, Introduction and Chapters 1 and 2.
      Richardson, Chapters 1, 2, and 12
      Wheatley, Chapters 1 and 2.
      Case Studies in initial assessments “from the balcony”
• Module B: Looking, Listening and Learning
  • Looking at Structures
  • Listening to Stories
  • Learning from Symptoms
    • Reading:
      Sawyer, Chapters 3, 4 and 5.
      Richardson, Chapters 7 and 10
      Hopewell, Chapters 3, 5 and 6
      Case Studies from this presbytery
• Module C: Hypothesis and Intervention
  • Writing and rewriting the Hopeful Provisional Hypothesis
  • Imagining an Action Plan: interventions that challenge structures, stories and/or symptoms
  • Encouraging health, encouraging wise, mature leadership
    • Reading:
      Sawyer, Chapters 6 , 7 and 8
      Bergman, Chapters…
      Thomas, all
      Case studies from this presbytery
• Modules D & E Follow-up and Refining the Learning
  • Case Studies from actual work of the team
  • Refining the Learning
  • Policy and Practical Matters

Reading List:

• Bergman, Joel. Fishing for Baracuda: Pragmatics of Brief Systemic Therapy, New York: W.W. Norton, 1985. ISBN 0-393-70005-4
• Hopewell, James. Congregation: Stories and Structures, Minneapolis: Fortress, 1987. ISBN 0-8006-1956-0
• Richardson, Ronald W. Creating a Healthier Church: Family Systems Theory, Leadership, and Congregational Life, Minneapolis: Fortress, 1996. ISBN 0-8006-2955-8
• Sawyer, David R. Hope in Conflict: Discovering Wisdom in Congregational Turmoil, Cleveland: Pilgrim Press, 2007. ISBN 978-0-8298-1758-4
• Thomas, Frank A. Spiritual Maturity: Preserving Congregational Health and Balance, Minneapolis: Fortress, 2002. ISBN 0800630866.
• Wheatley, Margaret. Finding Our Way: Leadership for an Uncertain Time. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler, 2005.

Contract for $5,000 plus travel, housing and meals. Participants provide their own books.