Navigating Conflict in the local church – Session 2: How to have difficult (even impossible) conversations

Session 2. How to have difficult (even impossible) conversations

November 20, 2024 in the Welborn Community Room at 11:15 AM

It’s agonizing to be locked in an impasse, entrenched in a conflict. Not only is each side convinced they are right and the only side who sees things clearly, but in the church context, each side can believe it is on the side of righteousness, protecting God’s concerns, and serving the cause of justice. 

In order to build a team culture of vulnerability-based trust, we must be able to work through messy conflict and navigate difficult conversations when stakes are high. It’s ok to admit that we may not know how to have these conversations in a wise and healing way. 

Even if we are ready to embrace conflict as an opportunity to deepen trust, in today’s polarized climate, where often the easiest answer is just to walk away, we’ll need help learning to disagree in a way that serves the aim of love. How can we gain (or recover) the skill of entering into difficult, even impossible conversations, in a manner that reflects our Savior?

Meet Our Speaker

Our series presenter is Rankin Wilbourne of Broom Tree Media. Rankin (B.A. University of Mississippi, M.Div. Princeton Theological Seminary) has been a pastor for over two decades, serving in a variety of contexts, including as lead pastor in Los Angeles, and assistant pastor in the Northeast, South and, most recently, the Midwest. Before becoming a pastor, he worked in corporate banking for several years. He’s written two award-winning books and is keenly interested in emotional health, wholehearted discipleship, and building bridges from the Bible to our modern concerns.

He loves sports, including coaching his three children’s teams. He’s married to Morgen and their family resides in Evansville, Indiana.

Session Details

• Because we want this conversation to be focused and the training to be of utmost benefit, attendance is limited to 22 participants per session, with a preference toward lead pastors, executive pastors, and church board chairpersons. 3 per church maximum please.
• All sessions are from 11:15 a.m.-1:00 p.m. in the Welborn Community Room
• Each session, including lunch, is provided free of charge by Welborn’s Church Engagement Program