Matthew 18 Workshop: Reflections from the Facilitator and Attendees

Reflections from Facilitator Ewan Benjamin

Matthew 18 Workshop, February 7, 2026, Photo Source: OEP

On February 7th, 2026, I had the great privilege of working with Andrew Duffy (our very own Interim Transition Director and experienced conflict practitioner) to co-facilitate a Matthew 18 congregational conflict workshop in the Virlina District. Hosted by the Discipleship and Reconciliation Committee, over thirty participants joined us in trudging through the serene yet difficult-to-park-in frozen landscape of Camp Bethel, coming together in the House of Pillars building, where we spent the day together. Here, we spent the day warming up, sharing stories, investigating ourselves, and exploring the ways that conflict manifests in our congregations and our personal lives.

What exactly is a Matthew 18 workshop? Based off of the workshops programmed by On Earth Peace in the 1990s and early 2000s, Matthew 18 workshops combine spiritual study with conflict education and training. The workshop begins with scriptural study into the aforementioned chapter, which features Jesus teaching his disciples about how conflict is rooted in humility and forgiveness, but also community and relationship. From there, the day was a hodge-podge of group learning and group practice. We outlined our time into four sections, each as important as the other: Matthew 18, Conflict Dynamics, Communication Skills, and Conflict Resolution. We discussed different ideas and skills and covered topics ranging from conflict analysis and power dynamics to active listening and restating the words of others, and conflict styles and de-escalation. We also did collaborative activities and roleplays (including a conflict over an orange), and, most importantly, stories shared from folks in attendance about their experiences, questions, concerns, and imaginings. We didn’t just talk about how to deal with conflict individually, but how we can work on conflict together.

For me, this workshop was a great learning experience and practice of my education, but also a source of pride. The Virlina District holds the church I grew up in, of which a number of members were in attendance. Many of the participants were folks I grew up learning from and continue to be inspired by. I am proud to see that they have recognized the need to improve their conflict skills for themselves and for the betterment of their churches, communities, and even the district. According to John Paul Lederach, Mennonite peacebuilder, congregational conflicts are some of the hardest to transform (and he should know, he’s an expert!). To see folks from my community come together to better understand how conflict works and how they can have productive conflicts in their congregations made every moment worth doing.

Reflections from Attendees 

Ewan's reflections on the day are echoed in the feedback we received from attendees. After the event, participants shared a range of takeaways from the workshop in their evaluation forms. Several noted they learned practical tools for dealing with strong anger and de-escalation, with many pointing to the 1-2-4 strategy for conflict resolution as a particularly valuable takeaway. Others highlighted the importance of improving listening skills, connecting biblical teachings to conflict practices, and better understanding the causes of conflict and methods of intervention.

When asked what they would change or improve, attendees expressed a desire for more time to explore the topic. Several suggested a multi-day workshop format that would allow for additional roleplays, more church-specific case studies, and greater opportunity for participants to get to know one another.

If you would like to host similar workshops for your congregation, please reach out to us at [email protected].

Dunker Punks Podcast: Resisting Authoritarianism 

We also invite you to tune in to an episode of the Dunker Punks Podcast to listen to a conversation between OEP's Ewan Benjamin, Matt Guynn and Rhonda Baker on the topic of Resisting Authoritarianism: Listen Here!

As we recognize signs of a rise in authoritarianism in the US (deploying the military domestically, leaders refusing to give up power, blaming outsiders for our problems, and weakening of democratic processes), why is it important for people of faith to make our voices heard? How can we as Anabaptists make a difference? Check out this episode as Rhonda Baker (Kingian Nonviolence, HOPE-PV and Freedom Trainer), Ewan Benjamin (Nonviolence Organizer at On Earth Peace), and Matt Guynn (Executive Director of On Earth Peace) discuss faithful and practical resistance. 

The Authoritarian Playbook 2025 – the source of some of the information provided on the podcast about what authoritarianism is and what it looks like in action.