Resources for Conflict Transformation Ministers are here on this page! Everything Conflict Transformation Ministers need to facilitate and document healthy conflict transformation processes will be found in the hyperlinks, below. We will provide instructions and update documents as necessary to empower our CT Ministers!
Sharing Information:
In conflicted situations, maintaining security and confidentiality builds trust. Therefore, the Conflict Transformation Ministries (CTM) seek to observe the strictest levels of privacy. As you begin to serve a referral as a CT Minister, the CTM Director will share with you a protected folder in which to store all your files, correspondences, and recommendations. We name our documents using a simple system that lists relevant information within the file name. Our File Naming Protocol outlines how to name referrals in each district of the annual conference.
Getting Started:
As you prepare for your work, consult the Document Checklist for the forms and guides that you will need.
For each referral, the Director of the CTM first completes an Initial Assessment and then shares the completed Initial Assessment with the assigned CT Ministers. The Initial Assessment has details gathered from church members, pastor(s), Staff/Pastor Parish Relations Committee (S/PPRC) and others that will help CT Ministers as they prepare to serve a referral. CT Ministers’ can add personal notes as separate documents in the Google Drive folders.
For your personal use:
We believe that conflict transformation should be offered to all churches regardless of any church’s financial situation. Some churches at the deepest levels of unresolved conflict may have intensified pressures due to budget constraints. By offering affordable service through the Conflict Transformation Ministries, we are extending a ministry of mercy to all.
The Fee Schedule outlines our policy. There are no fees for first visits to a referral site. We request that Conflict Transformation Ministers be reimbursed for their mileage for second and/or subsequent site visits. The office of the CTM handles all billing. To ensure your reimbursement, please fill out electronically the CT Minister Mileage Reimbursement Form within a month of the visit. Return Mileage Reimbursement forms electronically to the CTM Director. The CTM Director will process the completed forms. The District Office will issue your reimbursement directly to you either by check or by direct deposit.
To enroll in direct deposit, please fill out the Electronic Funds Transfer form. The District Office will be able to reimburse you electronically for your incurred mileage when you are working with a referral.
Planning Your First Session
Establishing ground rules for healthy engagement transforms conflict. CT Ministers use a standard Conversational Covenant with participants in all meetings and listening sessions. Participants can amend the Conversational Covenant, if desired. Some amendments improve clarity. If there are amendments, upload an updated version of the Conversational Covenant to the Google Drive folder for the particular referral.
NC Conference Conflict Transformation Ministers assist local churches in living out the Church’s mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. CT Ministers often work closely with the Staff Parish Relations Committee or Pastor Parish Relations Committee. While you get ready to meet with a S/PPRC, please consult the S/PPRC Preparation Guidelines. We have also provided detailed instructions for these meetings in a protocol for meeting with S/PPRC. The notes at the bottom of this document can help you in leading your meeting in alignment with the Conversational Covenant.
After Your First Meeting
After your first meeting with a church or referral, pray through your notes, consult with your CT Minister partner, and consult with the CTM Director, if needed. Solutions often arise organically in meetings and listening sessions. Note especially any promises, covenants, or resolutions reached by church members. You will be able to build off of participants’ discernment as you discern appropriate next steps.
If you schedule a listening session with a larger group after meeting with the S/PPRC please consult the instructions in the Listening Session Guidelines document. You will also need to help the church ensure all who wish to participate are invited. Getting Ready for a Listening Session contains an sample announcement and copy of the Conversational Covenant that churches can share widely in their congregations.
After you complete a meeting with an S/PPRC or a listening session, please write a summary report. Examples of summary reports are here and here. Please include all relevant information, including areas of challenge, areas of strength, and possible resolutions. Include recommendations/proposals for next steps at the end of the summary report, if desired. The goal is to provide a prayerful, holistic approach to transforming conflict from a problem to an opportunity.
