Graceful Conversations: Building Arcs across Divided Perspectives: Session Materials

Graceful Conversations Videos

Tired of divisiveness?

Eager for honest engagement?

Ready to contribute to discourse more gracefully, rather than wringing your hands on the sidelines?

The Ministry Lab and Lutheran Advocacy – Minnesota have teamed up to share Graceful Conversations: Building Arcs Across Divided Perspectives.

It started as a ‘Graceful Engagement’ workshop that Tammy Walhof (Director of Lutheran Advocacy - MN) initially created ten years ago (and has continued to improve) to help participants think about how we as Christians should ‘be’ in the world.

With the help of Rev. Emily Meyer (Executive Director of The Ministry Lab) , a facilitator of contemplative practices, it has been transformed into a 5-part series of learning, reflection, and practice to help participants make Graceful Conversations part of their core being.

Find the full Toolkit here - with the Facilitator Guide, Participant Handouts, and Additional Resources

Find Sessions I-V videos bundled here.

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Session 1: Identifying Self, Brokenness, & Community

~ Overview of Graceful Conversations’ Goals/Values, Toolbox, and Process

~Biblically Rooted Self-Reflection on Primary Identification & Group Norms

~Exploration of the Why’s of Disconnection - between Humans and between Humans and God

~Take-Home Breath Prayer: Prepare for Difficult Discussions

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Session 2: Perceiving Values, the Inner-Polarizer, and the ‘Other’

~Why, How, and Where Polarization Shows up in Daily Life

~Polarization’s Five Characteristics

~Self-Reflection on Our Inner Polarizer

~Developing Core Values

~Take-Home Examen Practice: Living Daily into Core Values

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Session 3: Creating Your Grace-Filled Toolbox

~Anticipatable Challenges of Difficult Discussions - with Loved Ones, Neighbors and New(er) Relationships

~Five Key Tools for Healthier Conversations and Resilience

~Take-Home Intercessory Practice: Pray for the ‘Other’

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Session 4: Framing Graceful Conversations

~Effects of ‘Activation’ in Personal and Public Discourse

~’Framing’ Conversations: The Roles of Fear, Facts and Dualistic Thinking

~Practicing a Process of ‘Reframing’

~Take-Home Mindfulness Practice: Awareness of Self and Other

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Session 5: Practicing Graceful Conversations

~’Challenging’ Others

~Emphasizing Connection: Build Relationships / Move toward Action

~Take-Home Practice: Engage in a Graceful Conversation