2 Hour Intro to Kingian Nonviolence -May 24, On Earth Peace

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Offered as part of On Earth Peace's "1000 Brethren" Kingian Nonviolence Training Project

A workshop for members and friends of the South/Central Indiana District Church of the Brethren - planting seeds for a longer-term district-wide leadership development process

We are living as disciples of Jesus in a time of war, injustice, and violence. As the Prince of Peace, Jesus calls us to love enemies and overcome evil with good. Do you always know how to do that? Neither do we. We need tools and the spirit of peacemaking for these discipleship tasks.

Mark Cripe from Lafayette CoB and Cliff Kindy from Eel River Community CoB learned about On Earth Peace's dream to train 1000 Brethren in Kingian Nonviolence. We invite representatives from each congregation in the district for a two-hour introductory training via Zoom on Wednesday, May 24, 6:30-8:30pm Eastern.

This two-hour session is planting seeds for a longer-term process in our district. In addition to beginning our training for peacemaking in these times of war, it will begin to develop the deep spiritual undergirding of nonviolence to carry us for the work ahead. Through the summer we invite these individuals who participate to center their spirits and identify the focus of the soon-to-be newly learned skills of Kingian Nonviolence. We'll set a date in the fall for longer and deeper training in those skills and gather groups to work together in achieving their actions nonviolently. That work may be in our local communities, our local churches, in our families, in the political arena, or even in the larger world. Jesus' resurrection opens the door for any task. Will you dream with us? Will you listen with us to that Jesus Spirit? Will you come and learn with us? Invite pastors, youth, those working in peace and justice, your congregation's Sunday School teachers, and other interested folks!

Workshop description:

What is the crisis where you are-- and what might being a nonviolent Christian lead you to do about it? Are you hungry to get involved in dynamic and creative ways in the concerns and conflicts of your community? Join us to explore nonviolence as an active force based in agape love. Kingian Nonviolence Conflict Reconciliation is a philosophy and methodology based in the work of the Rev Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the leaders of the Civil Rights era. Curriculum co-author David Jehnsen (Living Peace CoB, Columbus OH) played an important role in codifying the lessons of the movement for future generations. Join us to consider the call of nonviolence on our lives as disciples of Jesus.

By the end of the session, participants will…

Experience a glimpse of the nonviolence imagination and perspective
Explore the “will” (principles) and the “skill” (steps) of Kingian Nonviolence
Reflect on specific crises or challenges we face in our lives and communities
Consider ways to apply the Kingian Nonviolence framework to ministry and community settings
Explore next steps with this work in the South/Central Indiana District

“Together, as the Church of the Brethren, we will passionately live and share the radical transformation and holistic peace of Jesus Christ through relationship-based neighborhood engagement. To move us forward, we will develop a culture of calling and equipping disciples who are innovative, adaptable, and fearless.” - Church of the Brethren “Compelling Vision” Statement