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It can be frustrating for ministers to deal with manipulative individuals and conflict within their church groups. This is particularly important today when division and polarization have reached exceedingly high levels. 

This workshop provides communication tools to manage these two types of challenges more effectively.    

Part I: The Tools of Verbal Self-Defense for One-on-One Conversations 

  • The morning session focuses on avoiding getting caught up with the manipulative tactics some congregants, colleagues, and/or other individuals use to pressure the pastor to be or do what they want, even though the pastor has legitimate reasons to decline to be or do something else.      

Part II: Bridging Congregational Conflict in Group Conversations 

  • The afternoon session focuses on bridging congregational conflicts to enhance the likelihood of consensus and/or improve understanding and respect for differences within the group rather than feed division, disruption, and/or dysfunction. 

Workshop Schedule 

  • 9:30 am – 12:00 pm  Part I: The Tools of Verbal Self-Defense
  • 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm Lunch
  • 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm Part II:  Bridging Congregational Conflict 

This event is open to all Northern Illinios Synod Rostered Ministers and Synod Authorized Ministers. Please note that this event is being offered in addition to regular synod events. This does not replace Boundaries or the Professional Leaders Conference. 

Training will be in-person at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Dixon (1013 Franklin Grove Road Dixon IL 61021). Cost for this training is $35. In addition to covering regular guest speaker expenses, this ticket cost also includes lunch.

All registrations must be paid with a credit card. If this is not possible, please contact our church office at 309-794-4004.  

Registration is now open

Meet the Presenters

Elaine K Olson, MA, MDiv, Certified Spiritual Director 

Elaine has 35 years of experience assisting others through issues of life transition and meaning.  During this period, she developed a thriving psychotherapy and spiritual direction practice in Colorado, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, and Iowa. 

Her expertise lies in assisting others in individual and small group settings with concerns related to coping with loss and renewal in transitions, relationships, spiritual guidance, life stages, and personal problems of confusion, despair, and stress. She integrates her clients' resources for growth, healing, and understanding. Working with clergy and clergy families is a significant part of her practice. 

As a gifted workshop leader and speaker, she brings a warm, enthusiastic, and inspired energy to the people she encounters. 

Elaine enjoys writing, wondering about life with others, being a grandma, reading a good book, going to the theater, nature, and traveling. 

 

Terry Haru, Ph.D., M.A., M.Ed. 

Before his retirement, Terry worked in various behavioral health organizations as an outpatient therapist, supervisor of programs for the severe and persistently mentally ill, and Chief Compliance Officer.  During this time, he also conducted workshops on self-esteem and verbal self-defense and served as an outdoor challenge instructor for two behavioral health organizations. Terry enjoys reading (biographies, history, and personal improvement), writing poetry, regular exercise, taking online classes, traveling, and watching movies/series in his free time.