Nonviolent Communication: A Humanizing Ecclesial and Educational Practice

Abstract

THIS ARTICLE PRESENTS Nonviolent Communication (NVC) as a humanizing ecclesial and educational practice. NVC is a four-step process of communication designed to facilitate empathy and honesty between individuals and groups. Through an interdisciplinary dialogue with Reformed theology, this article argues that NVC is one concrete means of living as those made in the image of God in churches and seminaries too often marked by entrenched power struggles and vitriolic discourse. It identifies numerous ways in which NVC can help prepare seminarians for the complex challenges of ministry in today's world. It suggests general guidelines for teaching nonviolently in the context of seminary education. While the article focuses on teaching NVC in theological education, it is applicable to a wide variety of educational contexts. Originally presented as a paper at the 2007 Reimagining Educational Excellence conference sponsored by the Kuyers Institute for Teaching and Learning at Calvin College.