We're talking to people we never thought we'd ever talk to. 1,000 Conversations is an effort to build friendships in the Presbyterian Church (USA) during this year when presbyteries are voting on the amendment to ordination standards (learn more). We want to bring respect, integrity, and real relationships to the upcoming vote--and need you to help by having a conversation with someone in your community who has a different opinion from you, or who you simply don't know. Let's outdo one another in showing honor. (Rom. 12:10)
We am thrilled every time that we see an email in our inbox with the subject line: "Conversation Pledged" or "Conversation Reported." And with no offense to our friends and family, we are even more thrilled when the email is coming from someone we've never met before. Patricia Berger, in Cascades Presbytery, recently was the source of one of those joyous emails! And what's more, she wrote to us all about the program set up to start conversations at her church both before and after her presbytery's vote. Maybe her model will be helpful to you. Continue reading "One Model--Updated"
1,000 Conversations has been launched by Presbyterian Welcome and That All May Freely Serve, two organizations which work for fairness, welcome and inclusion for all members of the Presbyterian Church, including gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender members. To the charge of partisanship we plead guilty. We do have a particular point of view, and we hope that our Presbyteries will ratify amendment 08B and open the doors to Ordination to all who are called and qualified. But more than that, we’re tired of fighting. We’re tired of the rancor, the bad feeling, and the mistrust, and we’re hungry for something new. We’ve had the great honor of talking to other Presbyterians who do not share our views on Ordination standards, and those conversations have been humbling, gratifying, and transforming.
Maybe you’re hungry for something new too – a church that will be a demonstration to the world of overcoming partisanship by the power of grace. Our hope is that our Presbytery vote on 08-B will give us a new chance to get to know one another, share our stories of faith, and seek God’s will together. Please join us and be one in 1,000.
These conversations are not intended to be solely about ordination
standards or issues of sexuality. Many of us have strong feelings on
these topics and when they come up it is easy to drift into taking
positions rather than sharing in dialogue.
These conversations
are instead intended to be about getting to know each other, to share
experiences, and to discover the life and heart within another sister
or brother in Christ.
We offer the words below to guide us in
how we have these conversations with each other. You might think of
these as mutual commitments, or community practices to be agreed upon,
or as a prayer of the people for this particular conversation.
Thank you for signing up to have one of 1,000 conversations! This resource is intended to give you some ideas and concrete steps you can take in setting up and having a conversation. We encourage you to visit our facebook group for additional support and encouragement. Continue reading "Your Conversation: A step-by-step guide"
Here we provide a few helpful links to Presbyterian and secular resources as you seek to understand what is at stake this year and how you may hold effective conversations.
Continue reading "More Resources"
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