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Making Peace in a Polarized World

How to courageously lead congregations toward unity and peace in the way of Jesus
October 4, 12 & 18

Canada and other developed countries around the world are experiencing unprecedented polarization and division. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed political, ideological, and even religious divisions that are tearing holes in the social fabric of our families, communities, and churches.

Church leaders have not been well equipped to confidently lead through these polarities. Learning to lead through polarization is now an essential skill set to lead and pastor in the post-COVID world.

Imagine having greater confidence, vision, and practical tools to disciple your congregations in Jesus’ way of peacemaking. Your team could be the catalyst in helping the church become known for attitudes and competencies that bring healing and practical tools to your divided communities.

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Who's this for?

# Who’s it for?

  • Church leadership teams, staff teams, church boards, and Christian non-profit leadership teams
  • Individual pastoral, ministry, and lay leaders

# When’s it happening?

Three interactive sessions with over 9 hours of foundational skills training
  • Our Common Ground: Create a Common Framework and Vocabulary to Discuss the Division
    October 4 from 12:30 – 4:45 PM ET / 9:30 AM‑1:45 PM PT
  • In the Image of God: Getting Practical and Developing a Third Way
    October 12 from 12:30 – 4:45 PM ET / 9:30 AM‑1:45 PM PT
  • Live Zoom Q&A with Dr Samuel Sarpiya
    October 18 from 12:30 – 2:00 PM ET / 9:30 – 11:00 AM PT

What will we explore?

  • The difference between peacemaking and peacekeeping
  • What Jesus taught about how to disagree
  • How to create room for diverse opinions to be shared without canceling each other
  • What role social media is playing in polarization
  • How we can work to identify secular ideologies that polarize us and distract us from Jesus
  • How we can embed the practices and postures of peacemaking into the culture of our churches
  • How having Jesus at the centre can create room for relational unity while holding divergent views and beliefs

# What can you expect?

  • Two shared online sessions designed for teams to engage in a live training experience and a final session to take your training to the next level with live Q&A with Dr. Samuel Sarpiya (*includes access to all the session recordings)
  • Breakout workshop times to practice what you’re learning as a team/​group (individual registrants will be able to join other individuals in breakout rooms during the experience)
  • A return to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount manifesto of peacemaking, highlighting the differences between peacekeeping and active peacemaking
  • Identify and address cultural barriers to peace that are creating polarization in our churches and communities
  • Real-life case studies of how unity, peace, reconciliation, and transformation are possible
  • Tools and inspiration to create a long-term culture of peacemaking in your church or organization and to equip your team with essential practices for skillful leadership for the future of the church

# Contributors

Samuel

Samuel is a teacher, author, trainer, activist, and coach for leaders who want to create a better world from the inside out using peace and nonviolence methods. He’s the founding director of the Center for Nonviolence and Conflict Transformation based in Rockford, Illinois. Samuel lives with his family in Milton, Ontario.

Samuel Sarpiya, Executive Director Ontario, CA
Dr Betty Pries

With over 28 years of experience coaching, mediating, training, facilitating, and consulting, Betty is highly regarded as a conflict, change, and leadership specialist. She specializes in working with complex challenges, supporting leaders and their organizations to be at their best. 

Betty Pries, Change, conflict, and leadership specialist Ontario, CA
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Colin is an ordained minister, author, and founder of UrbanPromise Toronto and Connect City, a ministry that connects young leaders to God’s mission in vulnerable communities. Colin has appeared on Canadian television, radio, and in national newspapers and works as a coach and mentor to pastors and business leaders. 

Rev. Colin McCartney Ontario, CA
Adam Dyer

Adam leads Yeovil Community Church alongside his wife Rachel where they’ve been exploring Jesus-centredness, distinctive inclusivity, and whole community transformation over 14 years. Adam is passionate about community transformation and the church working in partnership to see his nation transformed.

Adam Dyer, Lead Pastor Somerset, UK
Mandy Casper

Mandy has served in pastoral ministry for over 17 years in a variety of church contexts, and she currently serves as the Spiritual Practices Pastor at Southridge Community Church in St Catharines, Ontario. Mandy longs to see the authentic heart of Jesus forming and transforming our communities from the inside out.

Mandy Kasper Ontario, CA
Smart Margaret

Margaret has served as a preacher, teacher, and leader in Christian ministry for over 20 years. She currently works with the Mennonite Central Committee in Ontario, an organization committed to relief, development, and peace in the name of Christ, and as the Walking with People in Poverty Program Coordinator.

Margaret Smart Ontario, CA

More Coming Soon!

# Two ways to participate


Attend with your team [RECOMMENDED]
  • Purchase a ticket for each team member at the discounted team rate
  • Each team member will receive a link to join all online sessions
Attend as an individual
  • Purchase one individual ticket
  • You’ll get one link to join all online sessions
  • We will provide online breakout rooms for individual leaders to engage with one another in breakout workshops during the event

This experience is designed as a three part series, but all registrants will get access to recordings of each session for their reference or to view later if you or your team members need to miss a session.

# Pricing

Regular Price Deadline – September 15, 2022


Teams of 3 or more

$79 pp Regular Price / $129 pp Last Minute / $60 pp Jesus Collective Partners


Individual

$99 Regular Price / $149 Last Minute / $75 Jesus Collective Partners

*All prices are in Canadian Dollars and do not include Eventbrite admin fees (viewable at checkout).

Curious about Jesus Collective Partnership? Learn more here.