The Conflict Transformation Group (CTG) is a collective of lay and clergy volunteers who support parishes and communities where help is needed in responding to conflict. Members of the CTG work together with people in parishes and those in relationship with the parish to find solutions to different issues.
Its purpose is part of a wider approach to transform the way we engage in and think about conflict. This is rooted within the reconciliation charism of the Diocese of Coventry and Coventry Cathedral.
The CTG is overseen by the Archdeacons. The members who make up the group work in pairs to advise, coach, and mediate as necessary and appropriate.
The CTG is a pilot in our diocese, with 17 members who have completed their core formation. A third cohort will be trained in 2025 to join the CTG supporting parishes and communities.
Formation and training for the group is being done in partnership with Place for Hope (P4H). P4H accompanies and equips individuals and groups in faith communities so that all might reach their potential to be peacemakers who navigate conflict, change and differences well. P4H provides the initial training, ongoing support and supervision of the CTG members and their work in partnership with the Diocese.
The CTG is here to support, encourage and release you in your ministry - Conflict is a normal part of life and can be used to help strengthen and deepen relationships and community if addressed in the right way.
It is best to be proactive with potentially divisive or hurtful issues rather than wait until that division or hurt is actually present. If you are concerned about a potential reaction to raising an issue, change, or any matter, then a conversation with the CTG may well be helpful in gaining support to move forward in the most positive way.
If you would like support for a situation, please get in touch. You can informally ask questions or discuss an issue with a member of the group by email (contact details below). You can also get in touch directly with one of the Archdeacons;
- Step 1: Where a further conversation is appropriate, you will have the opportunity to discuss your situation with a nominated member of the group who will handle any information shared sensitively. Sometimes this first step will be enough to provide you with the tools to find an acceptable way forward. If further intervention would be beneficial, and you wish to proceed, the case will move on to the Triage process. (CTG intervention is not always the appropriate next step, and where it is, you will be given the option not to proceed, and can step out of the process at any time).
- Step 2: Place for Hope will carry out a triage process which will help assess the type of support and which facilitator(s) would be best suited to your needs.
- Step 3: A Place for Hope team member will contact you to discuss and agree the aims and scope of the work. They will also agree with you the most appropriate method of delivering support. This may include:
- 1-2-1 coaching session(s).
- A CTG Facilitator being assigned to you to for facilitated mediation - This could be a one-off session or a series of conversations.
- Signposting you to appropriate training.
To access support, or if you have any questions about this process, please contact us at: Conflict.Transformation@Coventry.Anglican.Org