How Church Leaders Navigate Difficult Conversations

At Covenant Conversation: Mid-South, CNP Board member Susan Young Thornton led a workshop about navigating difficult conversations. The accompanying handout offers best practices and practical tools for guiding difficult conversations in congregations, Session and Presbytery meetings and community organizations, including respectful communication guidelines, the Mutual Invitation practice, Presbyterian guidelines for times of disagreement and suggestions for creating a covenant.

Susan Young Thornton has served congregations in the Presbytery of Los Ranchos for over 30 years with a focus on education, nurture and formation. She reads widely in spiritual formation, theology, social justice, church history, and current and future trends. She lives in Portland, OR with her Cocker Spaniel puppy, Gracie.