Every community faces challenges that can threaten to tear it apart. The church is no exception. In fact, difficult issues often get magnified in church settings. Some of the questions we all face today involve what it means to live in a multicultural world, how we answer questions about sexuality, and how we engage in loving relationships with people who think differently than we do.
The health of a community does not so much depend on agreement as it does on trusting each other enough to tell the truth. To tell the truth and bring difficult issues to the surface requires a safe environment.
Creating safe spaces for these difficult conversations is the goal of Marcia’s facilitating and consulting work. These sessions can help us to discern and embrace God’s healing opportunities in the midst of conflict and difference. She has led groups both large and small within the community, in congregations, and Presbytery wide.
Here are some examples of Marcia’s facilitating and consulting work:
Multiculturalism
- Becoming a multicultural church
- What does it mean to be multicultural
- Coaching on addressing challenges in multicultural ministry (language, worship, power sharing, and cultural proficiency)
- Responding to changing neighborhoods and demographics
- Working with Session and Diaconate leadership on embodying their church’s vision
Pastoral and Staff Issues
- Churches who have been through a difficult loss of staff
- Churches in which staff differences and divisions are harming the church
- Communication issues
Changes to the Book of Order
- Learning how to be church together when we do not agree on important issues
- Framing dialogue with those who disagree with you on important issues
Changing Paradigms of Church
- Navigating differences in worship styles
- Nurturing spiritual growth in churches
- Spiritual practices for sessions, committees, staffs
- How different churches navigate changing neighborhoods, worship wars, budget challenges, and new models of being church
