With a positive theology of change, we can live as Christians known not for disagreements or self-interest but for our love through difficulty.
Change and conflict are often feared in churches but they don't need to be. When we learn to see these difficulties as normal, healthy parts of being a community, it is much easier to navigate them with a minimum of anxiety and bad behavior. We are able to let go of our fears and face change and conflict as catalysts for moving forward in the mission of showing God's love and justice to the world. In fact, there is no way to move forward in mission without change and conflict.
Rev. Anita L. Bradshaw, PhD offers positive, relational strategies for navigating change and channeling conflict into deeper understanding and a stronger sense of community. She revitalizes our theology of change and conflict by examining relevant stories and teachings in the Bible, refreshing our understanding of the work of the Holy Spirit in the church and reminding us of the many protests and conflicts that the church has weathered throughout history.
Lay leaders, clergy and denominational administrators will find encouragement and new perspectives in this practical handbook's clear methods for:
Foreseeing and intentionally implementing change
Using the energy around conflict to move a congregation forward
Being a non-anxious leadership presence in the midst of conflict
Establishing appropriate congregational behavior and communication
Managing a community s tendency to polarize disagreements
Encouraging imaginative thinking and creative responses to difficult situations
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