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Seminar teaches how to talk about difficult issues
By Jim Bishop Eastern Mennonite UniversityHARRISONBURG, Va. — David Brubaker believes the congregation is the best place to discuss and respond constructively to important community issues.
David Brubaker leads a “circle process” as one method of dealing with difficult issues. Dorothy Jean Weaver poses a question as Will Hairston, left, and Greg Boyd listen. — Photo by Jim Bishop/EMU
But for that to happen, a congregation must be a safe haven where people listen to each other respectfully and speak with love.
Brubaker, an associate professor of organizational studies in the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University, led a training session Jan. 19 on “Dealing With Difficult Issues” as part of the annual School for Leadership Training on campus.
His seminar was part of the four-day conference, “Centered on Christ in a Right and Left World.”
Brubaker commended three models for structuring dialogue that he uses in helping groups interact across ideological or political divides:
- The issue spectrum. Identify one end of the room for people strongly convinced about one idea and the other for those strongly convinced of the opposite. Ask everyone to take a position somewhere on or between those two points. Then invite individuals from various points on the spectrum to tell why they chose the spot where they are standing.
“Those at the strong ends are usually surprised by the large number of people who occupy the middle ground on an issue,” he said.
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Circle process. All participants in the dialogue are seated in a circle and given opportunity to address an issue or respond to a question. The most important ground rule is that only the person who is speaking has the floor. Others must wait their turn as the dialogue moves around the circle.
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Samoan circle dialogue. This method requires at least two circles, an inner one of “discussants” and outer, or multiple, circles of observers. Only occupants of the inner chairs are allowed to speak.
“I’ve found these approaches beneficial in lowering the contentious nature of a conflict and helping persons to really hear each other,” Brubaker said.
Whatever happens, he said, “Keep our eyes focused on Jesus, who always focused on the kingdom when he confronted his detractors. Live as kingdom citizens, incarnate relationships as Jesus did, and the political powers and authorities may notice and say, ‘Hey, look what they’re doing’ to make a difference where they are.”
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