Mediation and Facilitation in the Church

Just back from a 5-day course with Bridge Builders on Mediation and Facilitation in the Church. (Bridge Builders are part of the London Mennonite Church and their ‘thing’ is peacemaking and mediation.) Never have I been on such an intensive course which left me feeling quite so exhausted. Each day felt like three and I feel like I can barely remember what happened yesterday, let alone on Monday when we began. The teaching style was excellent and worked for me; the content was superb (on the whole); my emotions have run the gamut from angry to empathetic; and the learning was intense and useful.

I will say that it was not quite what I was expecting but that could be more to do with my poor preparation rather than anything misleading on their part. So for a while I was a little disappointed. However, I know that there is a lot more I would like to do in this area and other courses await. It was also one of those courses that you wish all clergy-in-training should have.

The biggest down-side was the venue: Scottish Churches House in Dunblane. I know that they are about to start a refurbishment programme and only hope that our feedback comments are taken into account.

It is going to take time to process it all and read through the manuals and notes taken. But no doubt you will hear more – or experience some of it first-hand – in the future.