The Colossian Forum

Americans are bad at grieving.

It’s true—our society has a hard time slowing down and facing our pain. Author and therapist, Dieula Previlon, suggests that healing and hope are only reached by embracing—not avoiding—our trauma. Listen in on this challenging and honest conversation between TCF President Michael Gulker and Dieula Previlon in our latest episode “Politics & Trauma” on The Practicing Hope Podcast. Listen on Apple Podcasts by clicking the link below!

Dieula Previlon: Politics & Trauma Americans are bad at grieving. As a society, we try our best to move past pain quickly and remove any reminders of it. In this episode, author and therapist Die

Did you miss the latest episode on The Practicing Hope Podcast? In this episode of our "Politics &" series, therapist Aundi Kolber addresses why it's important to remain present and embodied in this tense ecclesial and political atmosphere.

Listen on Apple Podcasts below!

Aundi Kolber: Politics & Our Bodies In the midst of conflict and disagreement, Christians have a history of talking about big ideas and beliefs rather than “experiencing” them. In this episode, au

The command to love one another is still true, even in the 2024 election season. If that feels hard, you're not alone—and we have a resource for you. One Anothering is an eight-week discussion guide for small groups to have deep, meaningful conversations and grow in their love of one another. Link to Amazon in comments!

Home - One Anothering This 8-week program by The Colossian Forum invites Christians to cultivate mindsets and habits to grow in Christian virtue. This isn’t about changing political positions, but learning how to hold others’ beliefs –and still be in relationship with them. You’ll learn how to show up and love on...

NEW! One Anothering is an eight-week small group discussion guide that helps us love one another in a politically divided world. Read a digital sample and order copies for your group at OneAnothering.com.

Could your inbox use a little hope? We know ours could. Every few weeks, we're sending out a message with a simple prayer, a hopeful practice, and an encouragement. Sign up here: https://colossianforum.ac-page.com/newsletter-subscribe

Celebrate with us! Our very own Ashlee Eiland has a new book out in the world. This book is about finding your voice in complex situations and bringing about positive change. Pick up a copy of Say Good wherever you buy books.

"The Colossian Forum’s inspiring work to support the spiritual growth and witness of Christians in the midst of division has profoundly shaped my identity and work as a pastor. My experience with The Colossian Forum is one of the most transformative of my ministerial career." - Rev. Joan Van Dessel

This Giving Tuesday, we invite you to prayerfully consider partnering with The Colossian Forum in this important mission of reconciliation. Make your year-end gift today at colossianforum.org/give.

Learn more about The Colossian Forum during an upcoming Lunch-and-Learn webinar. This webinar highlights and invites you to lean into our unique vision of viewing disagreement as an opportunity for deeper connection with God and neighbor.

The informational webinar will be offered on two dates and times:
Tuesday, Nov. 28 — 12:15–12:45 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 29 — 12:15–12:45 p.m.

Click the photo below to register!

TCF Presents: Informational Webinars In this webinar, you will learn more about the mission and offerings of The Colossian Forum.

You are invited to learn more about the 5 Virtues that are central to deepening love of God and neighbor in the midst of disagreement.

We are offering three free webinars where you will learn key practices that, when lived out over time, can lead to an increase in courage, forbearance, generosity, hope, and humility and lead to richer lives that display the beauty of reconciliation.

Click the link below to register for these upcoming webinars!

5 Virtues of Conflict Transformation In this webinar, you will learn key practices that, when lived out over time, can lead to an increase in courage, forbearance, generosity, hope, and humility and lead to richer lives that display the beauty of reconciliation.

Searching for stories of hope this weekend?

The Colossian Forum staff was blessed to meet John Noltner, a gifted photographer and storyteller who's exhibiting his work this month at ArtPrize.

John's collection of photographs and stories entitled "Lessons on the Road to Peace" is being presented at Silva in downtown Grand Rapids (975 Ottawa Ave NW). You can learn more at apomm.net.

The Colossian Forum is hiring a new Vice President of Marketing and Communications. We're seeking a dynamic and strategic storyteller who can clearly position our mission and offerings in ways that build awareness, consideration, and differentiation. Interested? Apply today at colossianforum.org/team or share this post with your network.

As we approach the midterm elections in the United States, we recognize it's as important now as ever to reflect the love and virtues of Christ in the midst of our disagreements.

To help foster faithful conversations around and after this election cycle, The Colossian Forum has created a free Midterm Election Resource to offer practices and perspectives to counter polarizing impulses and maintain and strengthen relationships.

Visit the link below to access the Midterm Election Resource.

Midterm Election Resource The Colossian Forum has created a free Midterm Election Resource drawn from The Colossian Way Political Talk curriculum to offer practices and perspectives to counter polarizing impulses and maintain and strengthen relationships.

We believe that today’s most polarizing topics can also be the places where God calls us into the deepest discipleship. God commands us to love our neighbor, especially when they disagree with us.

The Colossian Way is not designed to create uniformity in opinion, come up with a definitive answer or policy, or persuade others to see any one viewpoint as right or correct, but instead focuses on how we are held together through our unity in Christ.

Join us for three, free 45-minute webinars this fall to learn more about The Colossian Way small group curriculum. Sign up using the link below!

The Colossian Way Webinar Come learn more about The Colossian Way and get your questions about the small group curriculum answered.

The Colossian Forum is accepting applications to fill two key roles on our team. We are hiring a Vice President of Advancement and an Administrative Assistant. Job descriptions, qualifications, and application details can be found on our careers page at colossianforum.org/join-our-team. Apply today!

Join our team! The Colossian Forum is hiring a passionate, relational, and goal, metric, and results-oriented Director of Training and Assessment. Discover the qualifications and responsibilities and apply today at colossianforum.org/join-our-team.

"Covenantal communication offers a way for us to reimagine how we might approach and engage one another amidst division within the Church."

Dr. Stacey Wieland, vice president of programming, outlines covenantal communication, the foundation of WayFinder Leadership Training and Development at thebanner.org/features/2022/03/covenantal-communication-in-a-polarized-culture.

Covenantal Communication in a Polarized Culture We tend to understand our primary options to be either cocooning or combat.

It was a joy and an honor to speak at Converge 2022!

This afternoon’s engagement session with Rev. Michael Gulker from The Colossian Forum challenged attendees to think about how we can approach bridging divides in our schools and organizations through Four Practices for WayFinding.

Join us Tuesday, March 22, at 12 p.m. Eastern for a free webinar, where you’ll learn how WayFinder equips you to lead your community through today's divided culture. Register here: https://tcway.org/marchWFwebinar

Read the next article in The Banner Magazine series by David M. Bailey from Arrabon who recently came to train TCF's staff on racial diversity and equality in the workplace.

Check out the article here: https://www.thebanner.org/features/2022/02/polarization-as-a-spiritual-problem

Polarization as a Spiritual Problem What would it look like if Christians received the invitation to be set apart, holy people opened to the transformational thinking of the kingdom of God in experiments of peacemaking?

Take a look at TCF's President, Michael Gulker's, article and learn more about the Converge Conference!

Formation Through Polarization | ACSI The Colossian Forum’s Michael Gulker explains how rather than fearing and avoiding conflict, Christian schools should lean into conflict as an opportunity to live into the gospel through, not around, disagreements.

"We can decide to be part of the problem, or we can model the teaching of Jesus in the world and be a beacon of light in our country, our communities, and in our church pews." — Andrew Hanauer

Read the next article in our collaboration with at thebanner.org/features/2022/02/what-causes-our-polarization.

Bringing people together is part of our mission.

We're just 24 hours away from our WayFinder informational webinar. Learn how WayFinder can help you think, act, and lead like Jesus through conflict and serve confidently in a divided culture. Sign up at tcway.org/wfwebinar.

It's not about the conflict; it's about the formation.

The Colossian Forum and The Banner Magazine collaborated on a multi-article series, “Seeking Shalom in the Midst of Polarization,” to examine polarization in North America and explore Christian strategies to overcome it. The series debuts Friday at thebanner.org.

The Banner The Banner: The official magazine of the Christian Reformed Church.

Join our team! The Colossian Forum is hiring a passionate, relational, missional, and highly motivated Vice President of Advancement. Discover the qualifications and responsibilities and apply today at colossianforum.org/join-our-team.