Disagreeing Agreeably: Practicing Grace Instead of Exerting Control

Description
Ever wonder how difficult conversations deteriorate into destructiveness and even broken relationships? Have you ever experienced this? Wouldn’t it be better if these challenging exchanges could yield fruit and health for those involved? During this webinar we will identify characteristics of a challenging conversation that is “grace nourished” and compare it to conflict that is “power-fueled”. This webinar is designed for any Christian who desires to grow in their own capacity to be a grace filled presence in the middle of a challenging exchange. When “grace believed” becomes “grace applied” anxious conversations become opportunities for mutual growth. Please see the handouts available for downloading below.

An additional resource that was referred to in the webinar presentation was created by the Mennonite Church and contains 12 guidelines for agreeing and disagreeing in love. This resource is available for downloading here.

Presenter
Martin Vellekoop (MDiv) is currently pastor of the Houston Christian Reformed Church. He is a trained Transitional Pastor, Healthy Church Coach, licensed facilitator of the Healthy Congregations Workshop (Lombard Mennonite Peace Center) and has received initial training in mediation. Having served churches in both the US and Canada, Pastor Martin’s deep calling is to come alongside, coach and equip people to engage with one another from a place of respect and dignity. It’s not the absence of differences that defines health in relationships and congregational communities but, rather, the capacity and ability to navigate difficult and anxious times with grace and responsiveness.