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Transforming Conflict: The Blessings of Congregational Turmoil - Paperback | Diverse Reads

Transforming Conflict: The Blessings of Congregational Turmoil

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Conflict is endemic to congregational life. Because congregations exist to help us find meaning and purpose, we find it difficult to realize that not everyone shares our understanding or approach. Many of us have cultural backgrounds that teach us that conflict is bad or to be avoided. Conflict Transformation, on the other hand, treats conflict as an opportunity to learn and grow, both individually, and institutionally. Exploring new understandings of how our bodies and minds respond to conflict, Cooley offers concrete strategies for personal growth and healthy congregational functioning. Anticipating new conflicts that may arise from recent traumas of pandemic response and political division, Cooley offers a way to make painful conversations sources of healing. Drawing on over 30 years of experience as a parish minister and denominational official, Cooley weaves personal reflections with intellectual theory. Each chapter includes discussion questions that make it a valuable resource for group conversation and learning.

ISBN-13: 9781538161838

Media Type: Paperback

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers - Inc.

Publication Date: 06-05-2022

Pages: 160

Product Dimensions: 5.62(w) x 8.58(h) x 0.48(d)

Terasa Cooley has over 30 years of experience as a parish minister and denominational official, and is a recognized trainer and speaker on many issues related to healthy congregational functioning. Ordained as a Unitarian Universalist minister, Cooley received her BA at the University of Texas, her MDiv at Harvard Divinity School, and Doctor of Ministry at Hartford Seminary.

Table of Contents

Foreword Gil Rendle vii

Introduction 1

Part I Understanding the Nature of Conflict

1 A New Way of Looking at Conflict: Why "Transformation"? 9

2 The Physiology of Conflict 19

3 Revelations of the Self 35

4 From Me to We: Covenantal Dialogue 51

5 Congregational Systems 59

6 The Repercussions of Misconduct 75

7 Conflicts about Race 83

Part II Strategies for Change

8 Creating a New Culture of Learning 95

9 Tools for Change 109

10 The Courage of Creative Imagination 125

Appendix: Conflict Processing Worksheet 131

Notes 135

Bibliography 141

Index 145

About the Author 147