Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
A Final Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Master of Arts in Conflict Facilitation and Organizational Change, Process Work Institute, Portland, OR
Local notes
http://www.processwork.org/files/Finalprojects/Jaech_R_2010.pdf
Introduction/Contextual Essay
The purpose of this book is to help pastors and leaders of Christian congregations prevent, resolve and make productive use of conflicts within their churches. It is directed particularly to pastors and leaders of congregations that historically and sociologically have been referred to as “mainline Protestant denominations”. “Mainline” churches are the predominantly white, middle and upper class Protestant denominations that were established by European immigrants to North America in the 1600’s and early 1700’s. These denominations would include Lutheran, Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Methodist, United Church of Christ, and the Reformed. The reason that this book is directed to that audience is that I grew up and now work as a pastor in one of those denominations (Lutheran). Therefore, I feel that I can best understand and address the dynamics, culture and polity of a “mainline” congregation. I have developed my own skills as a conflict facilitator working within that context. The very fact that we refer to ourselves as “mainline” is already a clue to some of the specific issues of identity, rank and marginalization that are present in our congregations.
Introduction/Contextual Essay
The purpose of this book is to help pastors and leaders of Christian congregations prevent, resolve and make productive use of conflicts within their churches. It is directed particularly to pastors and leaders of congregations that historically and sociologically have been referred to as “mainline Protestant denominations”. “Mainline” churches are the predominantly white, middle and upper class Protestant denominations that were established by European immigrants to North America in the 1600’s and early 1700’s. These denominations would include Lutheran, Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Methodist, United Church of Christ, and the Reformed. The reason that this book is directed to that audience is that I grew up and now work as a pastor in one of those denominations (Lutheran). Therefore, I feel that I can best understand and address the dynamics, culture and polity of a “mainline” congregation. I have developed my own skills as a conflict facilitator working within that context. The very fact that we refer to ourselves as “mainline” is already a clue to some of the specific issues of identity, rank and marginalization that are present in our congregations.