Becoming a Restorative Congregation Training (Northern BC)

From Friday, November 4 to Saturday, November 5, the Restorative Practices Task Force (BC) and Pastor Church Resources will be hosting a two-day training on restorative practices for churches. This training, which will be held at at Telkwa Community (CRC) Church, will introduce ministry leaders to a practical framework and theological vision for growing and leading restorative congregations. Participants will learn how to design and facilitate listening circles while incorporating restorative practices to enrich interpersonal relationships, small groups, teams and congregational life. 

Our time will include training in designing and leading circles for discernment (Next Steps Discernment), circles for dealing with grief and loss, and practices for improving council and congregational meetings. 

>>REGISTER for this training 

Because of the generous support of congregations toward denominational and classis Ministry Shares, the cost of this training is only $100 per participant (and includes lunch and refreshments each day.) If the cost of training is an obstacle to your participation, contact [email protected] for further-subsidized rates.

Time: Friday: 10am to 5:00pm; Saturday: 9am to 4pm. 

In this training, you’ll learn how restorative practices can enrich:

• Leadership meetings
• Staff meetings
• Bible studies
• Small groups
• Youth group
• Congregational discernment

This training is recommended for:

• Lay Leaders and Members
• Pastors
• Council and Board members
• Leadership teams
• Pastoral care teams
• Interim ministers

Learn more about Becoming a Restorative Church and participating in the Restorative Congregation Cohort at crcna.org/safechurch/restorative.

Trainers

Liz Tolkamp, Restorative Practices Task Force BCSE and Regional Catalyzer

Liz was first trained in restorative practice in 2015. Since then she has been using restorative practices in a variety of settings including children’s ministry, pastoral care and family situations. She is a founding member of the Restorative Practices Task Force and is passionate about helping churches become more connected congregations through healthy and strong relationships.

Rev. Sean Baker, Ministry Consultant, Pastor Church Resources

Sean has been using restorative practices in conflicted and potentially-conflicted congregational and classis settings since 2011. In his role with Pastor Church Resources, he has also helped design Challenging Conversations Toolkit and Next Steps Discernment, two restorative practice-based resources to help congregations address challenging topics in ways that build trust and understanding. 

Rev. Martin Vellekoop, Houston CRC, Specialized Transitional Minister, and Classis BC Restorative Practice Task Force