The Good Fight: Transforming Congregational Conflict
Contents
IN FOCUS: Leading into the Promised Land
Alban Institute senior consultant Susan Nienaber shares the inspiring stories of congregations who chose to heal after trauma and conflict
A Pioneering Spirit
Kathryn Palen, director of consulting for the Alban Institute, recounts the many contributions of Alban consultant Speed Leas to the field of conflict transformation
Respectfully Disagreeing
Freelance writer Marlis McCollum explores the groundbreaking dialogue work of the Public Conversations Project
Becoming a Church in Dialogue
Alban Institute senior consultant Susan Nienaber shares how the use of dialogue resulted in the transformation of one congregation’s conflict
Dialogues across Difference
Wendy Cadge, assistant professor of sociology at Bowdoin College, describes the attitudinal changes that can occur when mainline Protestant congregations talk about homosexuality
The Language of Leadership
Roger Kruger offers a compelling argument for shifting away from the violent and battle-oriented terminology that has crept into the language of leadership and problem-solving
“We Touched Grace”
Conflict transformation consultant Jean Greenwood provides an in-depth look at one congregation’s experience of Spirit in their midst as they came together to work through their differences
The One Thing Necessary
Pastor Martin B. Copenhaver shares the secret of harmonious pastoral colleague relationships
COLUMNS
THE LEADING EDGE
Alban President James P. Wind urges each of us—and the church as a whole—to recognize anew the value of pastoral ministry and to recommit to its much-needed support
ASK ALBAN
Alban senior consultant Bob Leventhal suggests how the work of an executive committee can empower the whole board
DEPARTMENTS
FROM THE EDITOR
REVIEWS
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