I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions. As appealing as the prospect of losing a few pounds, flossing daily, or finally catching up on my scrapbooking might be, I find my typical New Year’s resolutions are too easily made and too easily broken. Nothing like reaching the end of January and already feeling like a loser!… Continue Reading→
Understanding Implicit Bias
Can we really be 100% objective? Those who study implicit bias argue that we cannot. For example, a recent study suggests that hurricanes with female names are deadlier than hurricanes with male names. Why? Due to implicit bias, a hurricane with a female name is seen as less powerful than a hurricane with a male name. Thus, those… Continue Reading→
The Rains Came
From March 24-26, the Outreach Ministry and the Conflict Transformation Ministries of the North Carolina Conference invited Chaplain David Smith of the Soul Care Initiative to lead a retreat at Camp Rockfish for active and retired military plus their families. The theme of the retreat was “Refresh Your Soul”. I wrote this reflection after the… Continue Reading→
The Ecology of Conflict
“When you are disturbed, do not sin……put your trust in the Lord.”- Psalm 4:4…5 Some years ago, I worked in plant community ecology, an area of study that looks at the various factors—soil type, slope, elevation, water table, climate, etc.—that influence the flourishing of particular groupings of plants and trees. One of the factors considered… Continue Reading→
Right or Wrong? Or Both?
I wonder if there is such a thing as an addiction to being right. If there is an addiction to being right, then I may veer dangerously close to it. I like being right because being right is gratifying. When I am right, I feel smart, which makes me feel important. Because I feel important,… Continue Reading→
Though we cannot think alike, may we not sing alike?
We live in a world where conflict and strife are everywhere. The dizzying hum of division floods our conversations and the air waves. Many of us, in the pain of our hearts, seek a voice of healing and reconciliation. We look out from the brokenness of our families, work places, and even church relationships to… Continue Reading→
Our Circles and God’s Sufficient Grace
Below is an excerpt from an email I received following one of our Circles: I just wanted to send you a quick note and tell you that I attended a Circle of Abundant Grace. Not knowing quite what to expect I wanted to share with you that the entire evening was one filled with Christian love,… Continue Reading→
Circles of Abundant Grace
Across the North Carolina Conference, United Methodists are gathering for “Circles of Abundant Grace.” These Circles of Abundant Grace are facilitated conversations that are focused on the future of the United Methodist Church. These Circles offer the opportunity to learn about “where we are” as a denomination concerning matters of human sexuality. These Circles are… Continue Reading→
What Is a “Facilitated Conversation”?
To speak out of our hearts, to listen lovingly and well, to grow in grace–those are the goals of a facilitated conversation. These facilitated conversations happen in the sacred space co-created by facilitators, participants, and the Holy Spirit. Our Conflict Transformation Ministers use a relational covenant to facilitate safe(r), sacred spaces for holy conversations. The main… Continue Reading→