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A frequent reconciliation hindrance is a party’s inability to recognize his/her own sinfulness and need for forgiveness. Such hindrance can then create a log jam that stifles, if not completely derails, the reconciliation process by keeping the part from being able to: (a) “get the log out of his/her own eye,” (Matthew 7:3-5); (b) confess, seek forgiveness, and receive healing, (James 5:16, 1 John 1:9); and (c) extend grace to and forgive others, (e.g., Luke 7:36-50, Luke 15:11-32, Matthew 18:21-25 ). When these log jams arise, one approach reconcilers take is to have the party pray over and meditate on Scriptural passages that either speak directly to the party’s sin issues or address the necessity of forgiveness and grace. This approach is classic but not always effective.

In this workshop, we will explore an additional tool to break log jams of the heart: receiving the unconditional agape love God has for the party in spite of, not because of, his/her behavior. This defeats Satan’s lie that a person’s worth, identity, and qualification for love and acceptance is conditioned on their actions or behavior. Satan’s lie can put blinders on one’s heart that prevents one from being willing and able to realize their own sinfulness, therefore denying one the humility necessary to confess sins, seek forgiveness, and extend grace and forgiveness to others. As reconcilers, one of the most effective tools in our arsenal is to allow the Holy Spirit space to reveal this truth to the party. Come learn how to apply God’s love and grace to reconciliation log jams.

Many Christian counselors, Biblical counselors, and pastors desire to bring Christ's Gospel and forgiveness into their soul care, but don't know how. Luther's very Christ-centered theology, based in Scripture, and his desire for the care of souls, can provide us with that foundation. Various techniques from Dr. Marrs's book by the same title will be shared, and participants will be encouraged to develop more techniques.

This is a practical workshop for trained mediators who work with individuals who want to reconcile a marriage or relationship where oppression or abuse has been a relational dynamic. What will you look for during pre-mediation coaching? What will the mediation process look like? When would you take the “on-ramp” to begin mediation? When would you take the “off-ramp” to stop the mediation? Then, what do you do? In addition, we will address how to approach church leaders in these situations.

Joy and peace are more than sweet Christmas themes on cards and trimmings. These blessed gifts from God call to us at inconvenient times, in difficult circumstances, and moments when we just don’t feel like seeking joy or peace. How can we nurture our appetite to live and breathe with joy and peace from morning to night? As conciliators, we know that contentions will arise, tempers flare, disputes broil, and sorrows overwhelm when least expected. Our growing ability to experience and express joy and peace will enrich our conciliation work.

Join us for the opening session for the conference. Our keynote speaker will be Dwight Schettler who will be speaking on the topic of "Responding to the Call to Reconciliation". There will also be a time to interact with other attendees and learn how to navigate the workshops for the rest of the month. Session will be 1 hour.