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Workshop: Speak from Heart, Not Head
OMAHA, NE (May 20, 2005) - The first Invitation to Racial Righteousness held
here last weekend proved to be an opportunity for churches to draw
closer together beyond words. Community Covenant and First Covenant
churches participated along with the non-denominational Afresh Anointing
Church.
"For some time now, we have desired to partner together in various ways
to build ministry and relationships, but have been unsure how to
proceed," says Martha Freeman, pastor of Community Covenant. "This was
the perfect way to jump-start our efforts."
"It's an opportunity to talk about our personal stories so that we can
start building relationships of trust," says Doreen Olson, executive
minister of the Department of Christian Formation of the Evangelical
Covenant Church. The workshops ran Friday night through Saturday
afternoon and were led by Sharon Cairnes Mann of Colorado and Bernard
Franklin of Kansas.
The weekend theme is built on Revelation 7:9: "After this I looked and
there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from
every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and
in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm
branches in their hands."
Statistical and other information was given to the nearly 50
participants, but much of the weekend focused on dialogue. "Repeatedly,
we were challenged to speak out of our hearts rather than our heads,"
Freeman says. "Good intentions reside in our minds. Actions come from
our hearts, and it is past time for action.
"It became clear that action, healing and growth will only come from
building real relationships based on honesty, love and eventually,
trust," Freeman continued. Building that trust isn't always easy,
however. "Hidden feelings are exposed and expressed," Freeman says. "A
bright light is shone into the darkness of misconceptions and
misinformation."
At the conclusion of the weekend, the groups are challenged to establish
courses of action for them to continue building on that trust and form
deeper relationships as individuals and as churches.
Churches interested in hosting the workshop may call Debbie Blue in the
Department of Christian Formation at 773-583-0220.
Copyright © 2008 The Evangelical Covenant Church. |
