When groups of people gather, inevitably there will be conflict when individuals express clashing wishes and needs. Conflict is natural, normal, and necessary for growth but conflict can be damaging when it is not addressed in a faithful manner. In Matthew 18:15-20, Jesus gives step-by-step instructions for navigating conflict in Christian community. In this session, participants will walk through Jesus’ guidelines for engaging conflict in Christian community and explore practical applications of Matthew 18:15-20.

Lunch will be provided to the first 30 people who attend courtesy of Thriving Rural Communities. Use the registration link to confirm seat and lunch selection.

Guest Speaker

Rev. Molly L. Shivers

Director of Conflict Transformation Ministries, NC Conference of the United Methodist Church

Rev. Molly L. Shivers is an Elder in Full Connection in the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. She received a B.A. summa cum laude in Fine Arts from Vanderbilt University, an M.A. in Art History from the University of North Carolina, and an M.Div. summa cum laude from Duke Divinity School. Molly has served local churches ranging in size from 800 members to 80 members. She's been involved in the ministry of conflict transformation since 2008, serving on a district level and the annual conference level. Molly has been trained in conflict transformation and mediation by Plowpoint and the Lombard Mennonite Peace Institute. She utilizes her training and experience to help congregations of all sizes transform conflict from a problem into an opportunity.