Talking Across the Table - Facilitating and Participating in Hard Conversations.- Todd Tracy - AM
What is it that we are never supposed to bring up in polite company? Religion and Politics, right? This idea might keep things “peaceful”, but at what cost? This class will make the assumption that the church can and should play a role in helping people enter into important conversations about difficult topics that impact all of our lives. Together we will explore creative ways to invite and engage these conversations, even with (or perhaps especially with) those with whom we disagree. Learn about what other communities have tried, explore and create new ideas for opening up conversations in your community as we workshop leading these conversations together. Together we can “flip the table” and learn to talk about real things.
Todd Tracy is the Pastor/Head of Staff at Second Presbyterian Church in Newark, OH. He has previously served churches in Ben Avon, PA and Delaware, OH as youth director and Associate Pastor for Youth. He has earned a BA in Christian Education from Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA and a Mdiv and MA in Youth Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary. In his current setting, Todd has encountered a truly “purple” church full of people all over the political spectrum and has found great success in working with the congregation to learn how to talk about important topics together while still loving each other! “We are a work in progress, but have made huge steps!” Todd is raising two of the most amazing teenage daughters on the planet (he is bias) with his spouse, Heather. He finds great joy in watching too many sports, gardening, playing guitar and ukulele, and exploring nature with a deep appreciation for birds, plants, and trees.