Category: Pondering Peace
Training of Conflict Transformation Trainers to be offered at Central Seminary in August 2022
Dear Friends:
We are delighted to inform you that a team led by Dan and Sharon Buttry will be conducting another intensive 10-day Training of Conflict Transformation Trainers (TCTT) at Central Baptist Theological Seminary (CBTS) in Shawnee, Kansas on August 2-11, 2022. The Buttry Center for Peace and Nonviolence is able to offer this program again due to a generous legacy gift from the First Baptist Church of Palo Alto, CA. which will underwrite a portion of the cost. We invite you to consider participating in the Buttry’s signature training event.
Dan Buttry has been a Global Consultant for Peace and Justice, and Sharon Buttry has been a Global Consultant for Community Transformation, both with International Ministries of the American Baptist Churches, USA. They have provided consultation and training in conflict transformation and the transformation of communities around the world, primarily working with churches. In the past decade, Dan and Sharon have trained over 400 people from over 50 countries in 10-day Training of Conflict Transformation Trainers programs. Many of these leaders in peacemaking have then profoundly impacted their communities and countries.
In addition, Sharon has facilitated trauma awareness/recovery and social ministries workshops in many countries. She has also focused energy on peace and justice work at a community level, working to reform police through developing community policing, founding a domestic violence center, being an activist for housing and environmental justice, and serving as executive director of Friendship House and CEO of Acts 29 Fellowship in Detroit, where they live. Dan has served as a pastor, worked with Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America, and published many books on peacemaking. As you can see, Dan and Sharon Buttry have a global perspective and a wealth of experience from which to draw as they lead this training
The TCTT will focus on the following topics: conflict analysis, conflict resolution, personal conflict styles, dealing with diversity in conflict, power issues, nonviolent struggle, strategizing for campaigns, trauma and trauma healing, reconciliation, practical issues for peacemaking over the long-haul, and experiential education principles, methodologies and practices. The training will have a specifically Christian focus, utilizing Bible studies for many of the topics. The participants will also engage in community spiritual practices during the training period. All the training will be done in an experiential education mode. The TCTT is what we call the “grad school of the university of the streets.”
One special dimension of the training will be to go behind-the-scenes with the facilitator as part of equipping participants to be trainers and facilitators using all these tools. Each day will have “facilitator reflections” to step back and look at the particular facilitator challenges, opportunities, and options. The middle of the TCTT will be a Training of Social Action Trainers co-sponsored with Training for Change.
The registration fee of $800 includes double room accommodations in a nearby hotel, meals for the ten days of the training, training materials, local transportation (including to and from the airport), group activities, and other training-related expenses. Participants are responsible for their own travel to Kansas City, and single room accommodation will cost extra. Those staying on their own locally will get a discounted rate of $400. For participants wishing to receive academic credit, Central Seminary’s tuition and registration fees will apply.
If you from are outside of the Kansas City area, arrange to fly into Kansas City no later than Monday, August 1 and depart either the evening of Thursday, August 11 or anytime Friday, August 12.
An application form can be completed online. The deadline for registration is May 1, 2022. This event that will have a limited number of participants, so plan to register as soon as you know you want to attend. Limited scholarships are available for those from outside the U.S. or having significant need. Your desire to be considered for such scholarships can be indicated on the application form.
We are planning this event in anticipation that the pandemic will be sufficiently contained such that it is safe to gather in person. However, all participants will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by August 2, 2022 or the date of arrival in the U.S. It is expected that other safety measures (masks, distancing, etc.) be followed, if conditions at the time warrant it.
We do hope you will consider attending, or pass this information on to someone who may be interested. Quite likely, this opportunity will not be offered again.
With hope,
Rev. Ruth Rosell, Ph.D.
Director of the Buttry Center for Peace and Nonviolence
Dianne C. Shumaker Chair of Peace and Justice
Central Baptist Theological Seminary
Shawnee, Kansas