Conflict is inevitable, but broken relationships and broken people are not.

In these trainings, designed specifically for laity in the Minnesota Conference, we will learn:

• how interpersonal conflict almost always unfolds and the best ways to quickly de-escalate it.
• how conflict escalates and unfolds in larger organizations like congregations.
• how critically important lay leadership is in building conflict-competent and resilient congregations.

Instructor Rev. Susan Nienaber, MDiv., LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist, consultant, mediator, ordained clergy person and district superintendent in the MinnesotaConference. Susan will share her original research on this topic and talk about the most effective practices learned from other congregations that successfully recovered from high conflict and trauma.

This virtual training is presented in two sessions:

• Session 1 - Friday, January 22, 6:30-8:30 p.m. -  How Conflict Unfolds and How it Escalates and Simple Practices to Restore Health
• Session 2 - Saturday, January 23, 9-11 a.m. - Effective Lay Leadership in Resilient Congregations

This program is provided at no cost by Lay Servant Ministries of the Minnesota Annual Conference. The sessions are designed for lay people in Minnesota, but are open to all. Connection information and materials will be sent to those registered by Jan. 20.

For more information contact Terry Sullivan, Lay Servant Ministries Co-Chair