How Do We Talk Together About Tough Issues?

On Tuesday, Nov. 12, 79 pastors and church leaders gathered at First Lutheran in Findlay, to learn how to talk together about tough issues. Dr. Patrick Keifert and Dr. Pat Taylor Ellison from Church Innovations Institute taught the process of talking together that involved Bible study, brain storming, "floated conversation," and closure during the morning session.

In the afternoon, pastors divided into eight small groups and practiced the process. Any difficult issue could have been used to model this process such as the color of the carpet in the sanctuary or removing the flag from the sanctuary. The question that was used however was the following: How can we as a church in mission in the Northwestern Ohio Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America reflect unity and respond with faith in Christ when we hold opposing views on key subjects such as issues related to sexuality and homosexuality? The intent was not to reach a conclusion about the question but to model and learn the process.

On Saturday. Feb. 8, pastors are urged to return to First Lutheran in Findlay and bring five or six lay leaders from their congregations to learn this process. Dr. Pat Ellison will lead the training. This process works best in congregations when it is lay led.

What a gift it would be for each parish to have trained lay leaders to facilitate honest conversation about any tough issue. A mailing from the synod office will go out soon with details or you may call the synod office for information.