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Nurturing Transformation: Engaging Conflict Through a Theo-Ecological Lens

This workshop explores the intricate dynamics of conflict within congregations from a theo-ecological perspective. It emphasizes listening, learning, and engaging with the symptoms of congregational life as pathways to transformation. Participants will reflect on their identity, clarify negative themes, and draw on strengths to create a hopeful hypothesis. By understanding the interconnectedness of experiences and embracing the challenges of conflict, leaders can nurture a creative environment for positive change. Together, we will recognize God's presence in conflict and work towards transformational leadership.

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Nurturing Transformation: Engaging Conflict Through a Theo-Ecological Lens

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  1. Conflict UtilizationMission Presbytery Workshop

  2. The Model in OutlineReflection/Action on Process • Joining the System (and staying outside) • Looking at Structures • Listening to Stories • Learning from Symptoms • Devising a Hopeful Hypothesis • Challenging the System to Evoke the Hope

  3. An Theo-ecological Perspective • Thinking spiritually with “Prophetic Discernment” instead of “Problem Solving” • Seeing things WHOLE, seeing patterns of how “all things work together,” seeing the interconnectedness of seemingly unconnected events. • Recognizing the role of CHANGE, and providing “Transformational Leadership.”

  4. First Task: Joining the System

  5. 2nd Task:LOOKING AT STRUCTURES

  6. 3rd Task: LISTENING TO STORIES • Absorbing the pain • Clarifying negative themes • Finding the strengths • Locating Identity • Releasing positive energy

  7. 4TH Task: LEARNING FROM SYMPTOMS signs of frustrated transformation • Noticeable or significant over and under functioning (saviors/victims) • Projection to a third party • Impairment in key leaders • Expression of emotion or presence of pain which is out of proportion to the issues involved. • High reactivity seen as compliance, rebelliousness, power struggles, triangling, and distancing (Ron Richardson)

  8. How Symptoms Serve(from Joel Bergman, Fishing for Barracuda) • All symptoms serve to stabilize unstable congregational dynamics • The greater the resistance to adaptation, the greater the needed magnitude of the symptom in leaders or structures • The more covert the turbulence or resistance, the more symptoms will be needed to stabilize the system

  9. Discerning Where God is in the Conflict Using “Sagely Wisdom” • Conflict plays a positive role in the congregation. • It points to the transformation God desires and the health the congregation seeks • Our task is to find where God is and to join God’s loving creativity.

  10. 5th Task: A Hopeful Hypothesis • Takes a theo-ecological (holistic) view • Describes what expect to find: • How the conflict is a creative way to deal with change. • Offers loving leverage for the leader.

  11. 6th Task: Challenging the System to Nurture Transformation • Second order, adaptive change, more likely to persist, real learning—OUTSIDE THE BOX • Conflict utilization works with God’s holy transformation • Not to return to a comfortable state • Solved by those with the problem, not by those with authority

  12. Thinking Systemically about Big Bluff City • Structural Issues? • Identity Issues? • Symptoms?

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