The record does not show whether Adam and Eve had arguments. It does show that their two sons had problems relating with disastrous results! So it seems that conflict is as old as humanity and if you include the tradition that Satan fell out with God, even older than that!
Of course, when we live or work with people very different from ourselves, there are bound to be misunderstandings. If you are involved cross-culturally then communication, verbally and non-verbally, can create problems. (A British politician and a world renowned religious leader have discovered that big time.)
So what do we do about it? In many cases ignore it until it goes away (which is never unless someone leaves) or we fight until we win, the other person leaves or we have to leave!
Two youth leaders had a great idea as to how they could engage the youth in a hard area of one of our cities. One wanted to start a five aside football team, the other an Internet café. Neither was able to do what they wanted without the support of the other. Trouble was each was convinced their own idea was the best idea and they would not listen to reason. Result? That area still has no activities for the youth. The youth leaders have both moved to other cities and joined other teams. One helps with a five-a-side team, the other works in an Internet café but neither has fulfilled their dream of working with kids in a hard, needy area.
There must be a better way. There is a better way!
A new organisation in South East England has got together to form LETGO (=Learning to get on Together) and are offering organisations of all sizes and types a training resource to help them use conflict constructively and to understand how individuals relate together. The purpose is to enable people to function together to their full potential.
LETGO can provide training for individuals, teams, church congregations, whole organisations or regional leaders, with the understanding and skills that they need. Training can be from a few hours to a whole day or more. Each event is tailored to the needs of the group requesting the training.
The heart of the training is based on the old concept that 'jaw, jaw is better than war, war'. LETGO seek to help people to talk and listen, to express their hopes and fears as well as to understand the issues and positions of the other parties. While they offer mediation where that is necessary, they also hope to give organisations the skills needed to ensure that mediation is not needed because they have learnt to get on together.
More information about LETGO can be obtained by contacting Chris at chris@bocutt.demon.co.uk
