Conflict Transformation Training

The Shalom Collaboratory at Eastern Mennonite Seminary offeres a variety of training programs for theologically informed conflict transformation skills.

In these clinics, workshops, retreats, and webinars, participants learn how to implement an adaptive leadership approach to transform conflicts in the creative spirit of Godly imagination, incorporate strategies for trauma awareness and resilience into their ministry practices, and take up other practical approaches to the troubles our congregations routinely encounter.

Upcoming Online Courses

Transformative Practices for Navigating Tough Conversations

September 10 - November 12, 2025

This course offers a transformational approach to tough conversations that starts with the assumption that disagreement and even conflict are ordinary. So, we develop frameworks and practices to work through these conversations constructively, with a view to strengthening our relationships while promoting the common good. Students are introduced to several promising skill sets, including public deliberation, adaptive leadership, and nonviolent communication. Students are encouraged to reflect on episodes from their careers and ministry contexts, experiment with new practices, and process these experiences with peers.

Day/Time: Wednesdays, 3:00pm-4:30pm Eastern

Facilitators: Rev. Dr. Jacob Alan Cook and Canon Dr. Josh R. Ritter

Offered through a collaboration with the Iona Collaborative at Seminary of the Southwest and the Episcopal Diocese of Texas.

Workshops and Day Clinics

The Shalom Collaboratory at EMS occasionally offers half- and full-day training programs in a variety of formats (online, on campus, and hybrid) for congregational, nonprofit, and community leaders in a areas related to conflict transformation, adaptive leadership, restorative practices, and trauma awareness. Each workshop can also be adapted for specific organizational needs and delivered online or on location.

Skilled facilitators not only present theoretical frameworks for understanding conflict but invite experimentation with practices for peacebuilding and conflict transformation and promote spiritual formation for wise, real-time engagement.

Practicing Conflict Transformation in Community

This training equips participants with essential skills and knowledge for effectively managing and resolving conflicts in a variety of community contexts. Drawing from restorative justice and conflict transformation practices, we will examine both harm and conflict as well as relationship building and collaborative solutions that transform conflict and harm into opportunities for growth. Through interactive exercises, participants will learn to facilitate processes that promote community well-being.

Navigating Tough Conversations with Adaptive Leadership Skills

In this clinic, we envision faith communities as a space for developing a sense of both personal agency and social responsibility—and for promoting these life-giving values even during tough conversations. We explore ethical and psychological frameworks that can help us understand sometimes hidden sources of conflict and other barriers to agreement and collaborative action. Ultimately, we experiment with practices for reflecting on our own deep convictions and hidden judgments, managing ourselves to engage diverse perspectives with curiosity, and intervening non-coercively in complex social settings in the hope of making progress together on pressing challenges.

Healing Harm and Repairing Relationships within Churches and Beyond

This workshop serves as an introduction to the promises and challenges of restorative justice in the context of congregational life. Participants in the workshop are introduced to Restorative Justice theory and practice as well as the theological and biblical roots from which theory and practice have sprouted. Churches can be sites of harm; can a Restorative Justice framework help us imagine repair and accountability in the service of healing?

Becoming Resilient Leaders with Trauma-Aware Practices

This workshop connects with and builds from the renowned STAR training developed by EMU’s Center for Justice and Peacebuilding. Participants will examine harmful patterns of relationships that can develop during rapid transition and community trauma. Then we learn to take up faith-based leadership practices that can help us manage and transform negative patterns. And finally, we discover ways to build on life-giving patterns that can emerge during crisis and change. Learn more about our trauma-informed ministry programs.

Leadership Retreats and Custom Trainings

We have worked with a number of churches and denominational organizations across the country to bring conflict transformation trainings to their area. Recent examples include:

workshops at annual conferences for regional denominational groups (including Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Mennonite bodies), focusing on forming church leaders to navigate conflict
weekend retreats for United Methodist clergy centered on resilience in leadership and trauma awareness and Mennonite laypersons centered on adaptive leadership skills
learning series with local churches to build the capacity to engage in tough conversations together and to expand asset-oriented, collaborative work in the wider community

If you or your organization is interested in custom-designed online or on-location training for organizational leaders, community members, employees or volunteers, please use this form to start the conversation:

Request Custom Training Information

We are happy to collaborate! Unsure of what type of training you might need? We’re ready to listen and help assess your needs based on what we have to offer with no obligation.