Build and Restore Community

Focusing Conversation and Reaching Consensus

Working together is a challenge for all organizations and the church is no different. The diversity of perspectives, opinions, and ideas regularly give rise to disagreements and friction between members.

Our facilitation services provide a place and a process for clear dialogue and reflection. The methods we use are founded on respect for the diversity within a group. We go beneath the surface of the issues and as a result, help the group move forward with hope and renewed energy. Decisions are reached through a participatory process which values collaboration, builds consensus and community. Thomas Kayser writes about this in his book "Mining Group Gold."

Hope and Plans for a Better Future

Hope in Christ

Where is God leading us in the next chapters of our ministry together?

In 2016 the Southeastern Minnesota Synod contracted with Dialog Works to develop a process to help congregations make decisions about their futures. Hope in Christ was born. In 2017-18 eight congregations entered into a partnership and began the journey.

The results have generated hope for the congregations. It has provided a way to address difficult questions and each of the congregations have answered the question, "where is God leading." See the Hope in Christ page for more information.

Conflict transformation and peacebuilding 

Mediation and Conflict Coaching

Broken relationships are antithetical to our vision of peace and love. Conflict in families damages not only the household budget but also the emotional health and well-being of all involved. In 2015 the estimated cost of conflict in business was over $350 billion. Conflict on the world stage comes with staggering economic and human costs. 

We provide mediation to individuals and organizations. This begins with an analysis of the situation and a decision to use an "interest-based" approach or a "narrative-based" approach to the mediation. 

In conflict coaching (executive coaching) we support the individual as they explore their situation, clarify their desired outcomes, interpret the dynamics at play, and review the options available. When an option is chosen, we role-play to help rehearse the intervention.