Transforming Conflict
Dan Smith & Mary Huycke

Conflict is a normal and even useful part of congregational life. Handled well, conflict spurs creativity and growth. But, given free reign, conflict can stop a congregation in its tracks or blow it apart. This interactive workshop provides insight and practical methods to help congrega- tional leaders claim their role in transforming conflict into an ally for congregational development.

DAN SMITH & MARY HUYCKE are clergy members of the Pacific Northwest Conference of the United Methodist Church. They formed a not for profit corporation, CourageousSpace, in 2003 as an avenue for providing consult-ing, training, and coaching services to pastors and congregations. Trained and credentialed as personal and organizational coaches, they give full time to working with pastors, congregations, and judicatories across the connection. They are currently co-authoring a book to be published by Alban later in 2008 giving practical guidance to congregations engaged in renewal. The book is a follow-up to their books previous published by Alban: Practicing Right Relationship (2005) and Redeveloping the Congregation (2002).