Parish Support Teams Training – Diocese of Melbourne

5 years ago, the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne began training and mobilising Parish Support Teams composed of lay and clergy who are able to work with parishes in conflict.  It was great to be back working with the teams for a training update day in the Diocesan offices right at St Paul’s Cathedral.

We reflected on the early part of Ephesians 4 and worked through advanced conflict mapping skills and revised the categories of conflict. Debriefing current assignments the team is engaged in is always an important part of the day.  Luke and I introduced the facilitation of structured listening groups.

Resources are in the team Dropbox.

Marmingatha Ministry Conference – Anglican Diocese of Melbourne



Great to be catching up with clergy at the Foothills Conference Centre in Mooroolbark. We are exploring cultural change and conflict dynamics over two days.

Notes and links are included below:

Presentation 1 – Understanding conflict

Presentation 2: Organisational Culture – functional and dysfunctional

Covenant Commitments for Christians in times of disagreement

Presentation 3a – Dealing with power abuse and bullying

Navigating Difficult Conversations

Differences between healthy leadership and bullying

Parish Council Covenant (Sample only)

Presentation 3b – Managing Polarities

Managing Polarities

Presentation 4 – The Critical Few – Cultural Change



Anglican Diocese of Southern Queensland–Northern Region Lay Conference–North Pine

I am looking forward to reflecting with lay leaders today at North Pine Anglican Church on several areas of parish health.  The presentations and documents referred to today are listed below.  There may be others added following the session depending on questions and issues raised. 

Continue reading “Anglican Diocese of Southern Queensland–Northern Region Lay Conference–North Pine”

Anglican Diocese of Southern Queensland–Southern Region Clergy Conference–Noosa

Back in Noosa again today for the Southern Region Clergy conference for the Diocese of Southern Queensland.  A little cooler this week but still sunny and warm for a Tasmanian.  We are looking at Healthy Clergy and Healthy Parishes.  Links to the notes and presentations follows:

Continue reading “Anglican Diocese of Southern Queensland–Southern Region Clergy Conference–Noosa”

Anglican Diocese of Southern Queensland –Southern Region Lay Conference–Logan

I enjoyed the opportunity to meet with around 35 Lay Leaders from the Southern Region of the Diocese today at St Mark’s in Logan.  We explored the dynamics of healthy parish life and looked at key relationships in the parish. 

Notes and the presentations at this conference follow. 

Brainstorm on the dynamics of healthy parishes

The Dynamics of Healthy Parishes

Key Parish relationships

Parish Grievance Policy

Covenant Commitments for Christians

SAMPLE Parish Council Covenant