Anton Kapusi – Pueblo, Colorado … Pueblo First Seventh-day Adventist Church is no different from any other Adventist church in the Conference, Union, or Division. It is blessed, however, to have members that want a mature and spiritually intelligent approach to challenges, disputes, and conflicts in their home, workplace, and church relationships.
To nurture this approach, Pueblo First Church hosted Ron Price, MA, a family and marriage coach, speaker, and author for the Family and Relationships Emphasis weekend, May 5-6. The in-person and online participants eagerly followed the worksheets as the presentation unveiled the reality of relationships.
Ron spoke of “the germs that sicken and destroy” relationships in all aspects of life, including the family, work, and church. He gave solutions to the “germs of destruction” at a retreat the following day.
Valuable techniques for conflict management and relationship enhancement were conveyed to the participants through his entertaining presentation of the content. Participants had a good time with the speaker, and frequent bouts of laughter, interruptive questions, and comments bonded participants and speaker in a unique way.
“We should not fear a conflict but use it for maturing and growth,” remarked a participant.
Having the tools to prevent and resolve conflict and knowing how to deal with emotional people and situations is invaluable. Gerry Thomas wrote on page 163 in his book Sacred Marriage: “Conflict provides an avenue for spiritual growth. To resolve conflict, by definition, we must become more engaged, not less.” This attitude and spiritual desire are what our faith community wants to experience and know.
—Anton Kapusi is lead pastor of First Pueblo Seventh-day Adventist Church. Photos by Larry Downing.
