Here are a few tips for facilatating a conversation:
Come with right motives.
Lay the ground “rules” for those present.
Pray earnestly for the Spirit’s leading, healing and wisdom.
Recognize your own personal biases and challenge inner assumptions.
Share your truth without blaming people in the room.
Listen compassionately and gracefully.
Be sensitive to heightening emotions and diffuse by pausing and reaffirming statements that are helpful. Gently explore why certain statements are causing pain
Do not control the conversation but ask question that may help guide the conversation.
Ask attenders to give a short background of who they are and their church experience. Sometimes are backstories share similarities and allow us to develop some commonality with one another.
Let go of the unreal expectations of the conversations. The conversations are a beginning of a journey that will take time and patience. The conversations are not an answer to all that ails us nor the plan to fix it all. The conversations will hopefully start the process of dismantling the wall that may exist in your community.
Conclude with communion. This serves to reaffirm that we are one as a result of the redemptive work of Christ.