Leading From The Heart
An Intensive Workshop in Compassionate Communication for Christian Leaders
JUNE 20th 7pm - JUNE 25th 12pm, 2010
Sponsored by Congregational and Community Care Leadership at Luther Seminary and Lake Nokomis Presbyterian Church
Format | Leaders | Preparation | Registration | Housing & Meals | Travel | Schedule
Description
Christian leaders encounter conflict, criticism, and diverse beliefs and practices every day. How can we keep our hearts open and stay in relationship with those who are different from us? How can we communicate compassionately and clearly without sacrificing our own integrity?
This intensive workshop teaches the skills and consciousness of compassionate communication (also called nonviolent communication) as a means of connecting to God, self, and others in the midst of interpersonal impasses of all sorts. Through a five day immersion in a community of Christian leaders, you will learn how to:
- Develop compassion for yourself and others;
- Express yourself so that you will be heard more fully and teach others to do the same;
- Transform criticism into opportunities for mutual understanding;
- Stay in dialogue in the midst of difference and disagreement;
- Achieve deeper self-connection, inner peace and self-care;
- Heal pain from unresolved conflict, guilt and shame;
- Build authentic community based on honest expression and empathic listening.
Format
This is not an academic conference but rather a hands-on workshop. Presentations will be interactive, including didactic material, time for questions and discussion, personal sharing and practice of skills. There will be guided exercises, opportunities for journaling and daily small group practice. Time also will be set aside for worship, prayer, meditation, and walking the labyrinth with the consciousness of compassionate communication.
Workshop Leaders
Deborah Hunsinger has taught nonviolent communication (NVC) in the context of her work as a professor of pastoral care and counseling at Princeton Theological Seminary since 1994. Before that, she worked as a certified pastoral counselor and used NVC (since 1987) especially in her work with couples.
Since 2004, she has pursued more than 100 days of intensive training in NVC, including the completion of the year-long Bay Area Leadership Program in 2005.
Deborah is an ordained Presbyterian minister and a Fellow in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors.
Theresa F. Latini has taught nonviolent communication (NVC) in the context of her work as an assistant professor of congregational care at Luther Seminary (Saint Paul, MN) and Western Theological Seminary (Holland, MI). Before teaching, she worked as an associate pastor of a Presbyterian church and a spiritual care coordinator for a social service agency.
Theresa has completed over 800 hours of intensive training in nonviolent communication, including the completion of a two-year LIFE program through the NVC Training Institute in Prescott, Ariz.
Assistant Leaders
Hilliard Dogbe has received training in NVC in his home country of Ghana and in his graduate studies at both Princeton Seminary and Luther Seminary. He participates in NVC practice groups and is incorporating NVC into his work as a pastor and adjunct professor.
Ann McKnight has received extensive training in NVC, most notaby through the LIFE program of the NVC Training Institute in Prescott, Ariz. She incorporates NVC into her work as a clinical social worker/psychotherapist. She leads an NVC practice group for students at Western Seminary (Holland, Mich.) and offers NVC training for leaders within the Reformed Church of America (RCA).
Chuck Willoughby was first introduced to NVC during his seminary education. Since then he has pursued further training in NVC, seeking to incorporate its practices of compassion into pastoral ministry. He writes, "The decision to attend an NVC intensive training course six years ago was the best continuing education decision I have made. It has dramatically influenced my preaching, counseling and teaching as well as my personal world view."
Preparation
This workshop is designed to accommodate the learning needs of persons at beginning and more advanced levels of understanding compassionate communication. We strongly encourage beginners to read Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life by Marshall Rosenberg before attending the workshop. We will offer a Fundamentals Track during the first two days of training for those new to compassionate communication. More advanced sessions will be offered every day in each session.
Since this workshop emphasizes a Christian appropriation of compassionate communication for use in the church, all participants are encouraged to read the following articles before attending the training:
- Theresa Latini, “Nonviolent Communication: A Humanizing Educational and Ecclesial Practice,” Journal of Education and Christian Belief, 13:1 (2009), 19-31.
- Deborah van Deusen Hunsinger, “Practicing Koinonia,” Theology Today, Volume 66, Number 3, October, 2009, 346-367.
Registration
- $650 Tuition (Limited scholarships available)
- $550 Early Bird tuition (before April 1, 2010)
- $500 Tuition cost for each person who registers with at least two others from the same church or organization before May 1.
** Registration limited to 45 people.
Download the Registration Form
Checks should be made out to and registration form sent to Lake Nokomis Presbyterian Church, 1620 E 46th St., Minneapolis, Minn. 55407.
Typical daily schedule
7:30-8:30 AM: Breakfast
8:45-9:15 AM: Opening circle: remembering, prayer, song, announcements
9:15-10:45 AM: Session I
10:45-11:00 AM: Break
11:00 AM-12:30 PM: Session II
12:30 PM-2:00 PM: Lunch
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Practice Groups
3:00 PM – 3:15 PM: Break
3:15 PM – 4:15 PM: Session III
4:15 – 4:30 PM: Break
4:30 – 5:00 PM: Closing circle: celebrations and mournings
5:00-5:15 PM: Announcements
5:15 PM – 6:30 PM: Dinner
Evenings: Offerings by members of the community
Questions? Contact Chuck Willoughby
chuckwilloughby@verizon.net
