Bishop Hope Morgan Ward speaks at the Global Young People’s Convocation and Legislative Assembly about Holy Conferencing.
A Transformation Through Conflict
By Amanda Tobey
Wherever there are people, there is conflict. With the ability for independent thought, we are all entitled to our own opinions. Conflict is a natural state and a requirement in order for us to grow, but we have to prepare ourselves in order for our faith and understanding to develop.
Bishop Hope Morgan Ward (North Carolina Annual Conference) talked to everyone at the Global Young People’s Convocation and Legislative Assembly about the importance to build a well, not walls. Too often we are unprepared to listen and consequently we create walls that break off relationships, instead of giving ourselves the necessary opportunities to connect and grow. We have to keep in mind that building walls with our neighbors builds walls with God.
In order for us to have a productive time at Convo, we have to be able to converse. There has to be a mutual understanding that we all respect one another and are open to listening to each other’s stories. We need to be able to listen to each other, share our own experiences, and come to a consensus.
Compromising is never easy. There has to be patience from all sides in order to follow God’s call. Most importantly, after all of the decision-making is through, we have to understand that we are all still one in the body of Christ.
Amanda Tobey is currently serving as a voting delegate for the Global Young People’s Convocation and Legislative Assembly for the Western Jurisdiction.
