Deborah and David have been learning, teaching, collaborating, and writing together since 1988. From the Conflict Mediation Team of Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery in St. Louis, where the methods of Hope in Conflict were developed, they led training in systems thinking in judicatories around the country, taught interim ministry education, and served in interim and installed positions. Relocation to Minneapolis from 1991-2002 to follow Deborah’s call further energized their involvement in making churches healthier. Since moving to Louisville, where David has served as Professor and Director of Lifelong Learning at Louisville Seminary, Deborah has served three interims and a stint at the Presbyterian Headquarters staffing the Committee on Ministry office.

Their original dream was to write a book about systemic thinking and healthy churches. The move to Minnesota and separate very active pastoral ministries deferred that dream. With the call to Louisville, David found himself in a job which actually paid him to write and publish, so he became the primary author of Hope in Conflict. However, as you will see in the Acknowledgements, the book was really as much Deborah’s as David’s. The stories in the book draw on both of their experiences as pastors, interim pastors and consultants.

Now they’re back to a joint practice of providing wisdom for churches on the move. See their vita for more background. Look at the schedule of events and a sample training module for a better idea of how they can help you and your church. They anticipate continuing their working relationships with judicatory leaders, pastors and lay leaders of a variety of denominations.

Building on their more recent research, and following up on Hope in Conflict, they are working on a book about how congregations address identity and change to flourish in the 21^st century. They are parents of four mid-thirties professionals and live in Louisville with Finian the wheaten terrier and Ambrose the black and white cat. For fun they read novels, garden, shop farmers markets, cook, hike, enjoy jazz and symphonic music.

Testimonial:

“The time you both led us through was very helpful and enlightening.  I believe that Savannah Presbytery is better equipped now to deal with conflict. Your take on finding hope in conflict is a gift to the Church.  And I pray that others will see this gift.  So often we find ourselves avoiding and trying to resolve conflict, but as I hear you say, if we but listen to how God may be working we can truly find hope.”

– From Dr. Greg Garis, Interim Executive Presbyter of Savannah Presbytery, June 19, 2009