BW Conference Lay Servant Academy - 2026 Quarter 1 

Lay Servants Lead in Conflict Resolution - Advanced Course:

Lay Servants Lead in Conflict Resolution is designed to equip and empower lay servants to help lead their churches through times of conflict, both healthy and unhealthy. Conflict resolution is  the process of ending a disagreement through open discussion, with strategies like collaboration, compromise, and communication. Every church deals with conflict, both healthy and unhealthy, and lay servants can be equipped and empowered to help lead through those times of conflict as a time of transformation. In conflict resolution, the goal is to find a mutually acceptable solution by focusing on the problem, not blame, and listening to all perspectives.

Zoom Meeting: Class will be held via Zoom. Information for joining the class will be provided 24 hours before the start date. Participants must remain on the screen throughout the class. 

Zoom link: Will not be posted but will be sent to all registrants after registration closes, one business day before the start date.

Dates and Time: Tuesdays, Feb 10 - Mar 10 from 6:30- 8:30 PM

Instructor: Pastor Joan Jones 

Required Text: The Spirit and Art of Conflict Transformation (Course Participant Book) by Thomas Porter, ISBN 13: 978-0835810265. Text can be purchased from Amazon, Cokesbury, Upper Room, and other vendors.

Class Assignments: Please read the book prior to class. To pass the class, participants must attend each session and complete all required assignments in the requested timeframe.

Online Registration Only: $40

Registration Deadline: February 6, 2026

Questions may be directed to Kim Walker at kwalker@bwcumc.org

(The Conference reserves the right to cancel a class due to low enrollment or other circumstances. The Conference will give as much notice of cancelation as possible, students will receive a refund.

All other Refunds must be requested before the first scheduled class date.)