Standing Courageous: Church Leadership in Partisan Times

DATE: Thursday, September 19, 2024
TIME: 11 a.m. CDT
PRESENTERS: Rev. Dr. Scott Hughes, Rev. Ribbons Harris, Ryan Greer, Cody Zoschak

In today’s divided political climate, church leaders have a unique opportunity to foster peace and unity in their communities. As misinformation, disinformation, partisanship, and conspiracy theories take hold, the call to stand courageously for biblical values of mercy, justice, truth, and compassion is essential.

This webinar, facilitated by Rev. Dr. Scott Hughes with special guests Rev. Ribbons Harris (Parsonage Project), Ryan Greer (Bedrock), and Cody Zoschak (Institute for Strategic Dialogue), will equip clergy to act as gatekeepers and allies in the effort to prevent radicalization and hate-fueled violence. You’ll also learn how to differentiate between healthy patriotism and the dangers of Christian nationalism, helping your church be a blessing to its community during this election season.

This is your opportunity to:

Deepen your understanding of Christian nationalism and its implications.
Learn effective strategies to address conspiracy thinking in your community.
Empower yourself and your congregation to stand against radicalization and hate.
Lead with courage, compassion, and faithfulness in times of conflict.

Peacemaking is a high calling and difficult work. Register now to secure your spot and be equipped for the work ahead.

Presenters:

Rev. Dr. Scott Hughes launched the Courageous Conversations project in the fall of 2015, which has assisted numerous churches in holding structured dialogues for learning. Currently, Scott is the Associate General Secretary of Discipleship Ministries.

Rev. L.M. "Ribbons" Harris has over two decades of experience serving specialized populations. She has led community development efforts, co-launched Operation Starting Line, and served as Deputy Director of the National Prison Education Project. As a police chaplain, she specialized in critical incident stress management and psychological first aid. Rev. Harris’ work with The Parsonage Project focuses on advocacy against hate-fueled violence and terrorism prevention.

Currently, she serves as Founder and Executive Director of The Parsonage Project, is a member and master of ceremonies at Grace Episcopal Church on Martha's Vineyard, and holds degrees in theology, ethics, psychology, and history. She is CISM certified for critical incident response, a member of CERT, and a QPR Gatekeeper.

Cody Zoschak is with the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD). ISD is an independent, non-profit research-based, policy-generating organization dedicated to safeguarding human rights and reversing the rising tide of polarization, extremism, and disinformation worldwide.