The Unity Worldwide Ministries Peace Worker/Transition Consultant Training Program consists of educational requirements and practicum:
Educational Requirements
 Peace Skills Institute (PSI)
PSI outlines the principles of peace skills development as well as the skills needed to effectively be a peace worker and/or transition consultant. This training also makes the distinction between peace building and conflict resolution. The concepts presented relate directly to dealing with challenges and interpersonal difficulties that arise in the life of the individual or the ministry. PSI also explores the “integral approach” to understanding the dynamics of ministry. It presents a holistic—all quadrants/all levels—model for understanding and working with conflicts, church growth, and transitional issues. This training includes the work of The I of the Storm: Embracing Conflict, Creating Peace and a comprehensive board/leadership training, designed to be used independently or in conjunction with a total peacemaking process.
PSI also outlines the structure of a congregational peace process and how the peace practices can be adapted to transition consulting services. Topics include:
- Principles and goals of peace skills develpment in the congregational peacemaking process
- Transition consulting
- The peace process steps
- Strategies for implementing the peacemaking process
- Case studies
- How to determine whether the minister should stay
- Overview of board training
The training focuses on working with conflicted communities or those who have experienced the loss of ministerial leadership.
Thriving Ministries Model and Practice (Part of Board Training) This information integrates Spiral Dynamics and the integral principles to formulate an All Quadrant / All Level (AQAL) understanding of ministry. Integral Leadership is about modeling a way of relating to opportunities and challenges of ministry that inspire others to take up meaningful roles in the life of the church. Church growth is less about increasing numbers, but is about increasing ownership, raising consciousness, growing energy, and creating a culture of peacemaking. These shifts in our traditional concepts of church leadership and growth make healthy and energetic ministry possible. Topics include: - Different sized churches behave differently
- The Relational, Organization, Communal, Cultural, and Spiritual Aspects of Ministry
- Overcoming the systemic problems associated with moving from pastoral to program ministry
- The three congregations in every ministry and their unique attributes
- Spiral Dynamics and the Integral Map of Ministry
- How to create membership competence by creating value in membership
- The program also builds leadership capacity and addresses ways to enhance the minister/board relationship. More information about Thriving Model Ministry Workshops.
Lombard Mennonite Peace Center Mediation Skills Institute
This training is designed to equip peace workers with the skills necessary to effectively mediate disputes and move conflicted parties to healing and reconciliation. The intensive teaches collaborative problem-solving and healing strategies for work with conflicted parties and entire congregations. The Mediation Skills Institute is conducted by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center (www.LMPeacecenter.org) and is required (or its equivalent) for those wishing certification as a peace worker/transition consultant.
PracticumIt is the individual's responsibility for gaining practical experience and demonstrating the competencies inherent in the modules. Candidates for certification should conact the Director of Peace Skills & Transitional Ministry Support prior to doing any practicum component.
Certification candidates are required to provide documentation to substantiate the following: Board/Leadership Training—This training includes: principles of leadership; dynamics of ministry; roles and accountabilities of the minister, board and congregation; membership competence; and agreeing and disagreeing in love. This is designed to be an 8-hour training. Requirement:Intern at one (1) Board/Leadership Training. The I of the Storm—Teaching The I of the Storm is a prerequisite for a community engaging in the Making Peace with the Past weekend. It is important that participants are clear that no one and no thing is against them; that all perception is misperception; that we are shifting our focus from needing to be right to doing the right thing; and that conflict is an opportunity to demonstrate our Wholeness.
Requirement: Teach The I of the Storm in three (3) different venues Making Peace with Our Past—This process explores the systemic dimension of the church community and the issues that are rooted in the communal narrative. Churches with a troubled history possess unresolved community issues rooted in past hurts, disappointments, betrayal, and broken dreams. This training provides participants with an overview of history-related issues that affect community life. It teaches a simple, yet dynamic process of identifying unresolved issues and patterns of dysfunction linked to family systems dynamics.
Requirement: Intern with a Certified Consultant in two (2) Making Peace with the Past processes
DocumentationCertification candidates are required to complete the Peace Worker/Transition Consultant Information Form and return to Director of Peace Skills & Transitional Ministry Support. An interview will be required prior to acceptance into the certification process.
In addition to the above requirements, consultants are required to submit two letters of recommendation from mentors and/or clients, including ministers, board members, or congregants whom you have served. CertificationCertification as a Peace Worker/Transition Consultant under the auspices of the Department of Peace Skills of the Unity Worldwide Ministries is available to those who have completed the Unity Worldwide Ministries Peace Worker Training Program and Practicum, and have received a recommendation for certification from the Director of Peace Skills & Transitional Ministry Support. Recommended candidates will be referred to the Board of Trustees of the Unity Worldwide Ministries. The term of certification is for two years. To retain certification status, the individual must serve at least one ministry each year following the initial two-year term of certification and attend the Peacemaking Skills Institute every other year. | 
Director of Peace Skills and Transitional Ministry Support Rev. Toni Boehm is currently volunteering in the director position RevTBoehm@aol.com TrainingRegistration Form Contact Cathy Christy at admast@unity.org or 816.434.6841 for more information. Peace Skills Institute Training for 2013.
*Are you interested in discovering what your real style of communication is when you are under pressure?
*Do you know and understand the difference between being spiritually awake and spiritually and emotionally mature and how each affects your behaviors and your capacity to be a role model for others?
*Are you ready to discover new skill-sets for use in board meetings, team meetings and in life? This is not the PSI training "of old." PSI is newly designed and previous participants say it is fun, exciting, has the capacity to enrich conversations and the dynamics surrounding ministry, boards and teams. PSI contains new skill-sets that, once learned, can be put into practice immediately. Who can attend? Everyone! PSI training is for all persons within the spiritual community who are interested in expanding their capacity to enrich and enliven their conversations and to support new dynamics in both ministry and their personal life. Please join us for the Peace Skills Institute training which will be held in Kansas City, July 30-August 1, 2013, and in Sun City, Arizona, November 5-7, 2013.
Resources:Peacemaking Skills/Transitional Ministry Support page Roles of Peace Workers
Peacemaking Articles
Summary of Gary Simmons' Research Peace Worker/Transitional Ministry Support Information Form |
