The Colossian Forum

The Colossian Forum The Colossian Forum equips leaders to transform polarizing cultural conflicts into opportunities for spiritual growth and witness.

Our vision: Christian communities that behave like Christ.

When a group has an important decision to make, disagreement can feel like something we need to resolve before we can mo...
09/03/2026

When a group has an important decision to make, disagreement can feel like something we need to resolve before we can move forward. Eventually, a choice has to be made.

But making a decision doesn’t mean we have to leave every other perspective behind. Someone who disagrees with us may see a risk, consequence, or need that we can’t see from where we’re standing. Even when their preferred option isn’t chosen, their perspective can still shape how we move forward.

What might change if we kept listening, even after the decision was made?

Explore more reflections on following Jesus in conflict in The Colossian Forum newsletter.

Subscribe at the link in the comments.

What does faithfulness look like when the church you love is changing and you’re not sure where you fit anymore?For gues...
08/20/2026

What does faithfulness look like when the church you love is changing and you’re not sure where you fit anymore?

For guest writer Margot Eyring, that question isn’t theoretical. After years in the same congregation, changes within her church left her wrestling with disagreement, belonging, and whether staying might ask something different of her than she expected.

In her article, Finding My Place in a Changing Church, Margot reflects on what she’s learning about remaining in relationship when there are no easy answers.

Read Margot’s reflection on The Latest, where we share stories, practices, and perspectives for following Jesus in the midst of conflict. Link in comments.

Practicing Hope is the podcast from The Colossian Forum. The name reflects something at the heart of who we are: hope is...
08/19/2026

Practicing Hope is the podcast from The Colossian Forum. The name reflects something at the heart of who we are: hope isn’t only something we believe in or talk about. It’s something we practice — especially when conflict makes it difficult to see one another clearly.

This September, we’re returning with a new series on one of those practices: Beholding — learning to see others in light of Christ’s love, even in the midst of difference and disagreement.

We can’t wait to share it with you. Follow Practicing Hope at colossianforum.org/podcast

We all long to be fully known and fully loved. It's easy to begin looking to our relationships for what only God can giv...
08/17/2026

We all long to be fully known and fully loved. It's easy to begin looking to our relationships for what only God can give.

When another person becomes the source of our hope, every disappointment feels heavier than it should. And when we depend on our own strength to keep loving, even our best intentions eventually wear thin.

"We love because God first loved us."

This is where hope begins again. Not in trying harder or expecting more from one another, but in receiving the love that has already been given. From there, we discover we have something real to offer the people in front of us.

Continue the journey with our Beholding workbook through the link in the comments.

08/10/2026

In a divided world, hospitality is one way we resist fear, suspicion, and distance.

This short video shares three simple practices for welcoming others with openness and building genuine connection across difference.

If this practice encouraged you, share it with someone who’s longing for healthier relationships or looking for a different way to navigate disagreement.

Peacemaking is something we learn together.

We often assume a long decision-making process is a sign that something has gone wrong.Sometimes it is. Sometimes it's a...
08/06/2026

We often assume a long decision-making process is a sign that something has gone wrong.

Sometimes it is. Sometimes it's avoidance. Sometimes it's complexity. Sometimes it's grief. And sometimes there isn't a quick or obvious answer.

Whatever the reason, prolonged discernment can be spiritually and emotionally taxing. This prayer is an invitation to bring that reality before God — not only to ask for clarity, but also for wisdom and the ability to recognize God's presence in the midst of an unfinished process.

If this resonates with you, read our latest reflection by Rev. Dr. Tanner Smith, "There's hope for decisions that take a long, long time." Link in comments.

When a relationship becomes difficult, hope grows through small, sustainable acts — not dramatic gestures. As a way of s...
07/30/2026

When a relationship becomes difficult, hope grows through small, sustainable acts — not dramatic gestures.

As a way of seeking hope, choose one act of faithfulness that stretches you a little, but still honors your limits.

Here are a few ideas to get you started: Daytime texts. 20-minute visits. Curious questions that take a break from tense topics.

Then entrust this small act to God with a prayer: “Lord, take this small act and weave it into your larger story. Give me courage, give me wisdom, and let my hope rest in you.”

The Beholding Workbook offers simple practices, guided reflection, and prayer to help you continue seeking God in difficult relationships. Each exercise is an invitation to take one small step in hope and entrust the rest to God.

Order your copy through the link in the comments.

God often shapes us through others.There are people whose lives bear the fruit of the Spirit. They don't have all the an...
07/10/2026

God often shapes us through others.

There are people whose lives bear the fruit of the Spirit. They don't have all the answers, and they don't make our decisions for us. But their patience, humility, and love give us a picture of the kind of people we hope to become.

As we discern our own path, we need companions like these. People who help us recognize God's voice and show us what a life rooted in Christ can look like.

May this prayer help you notice those people with gratitude and remain open to learning from them.

At The Colossian Forum, our mission is to teach Christians mindsets and habits where courage and love can grow.But those...
06/26/2026

At The Colossian Forum, our mission is to teach Christians mindsets and habits where courage and love can grow.

But those things rarely grow when we're constantly rushed, distracted, or running on empty.

The kind of presence required for difficult conversations — listening well, staying curious, responding thoughtfully, loving our neighbors — is sustained by rhythms of rest.

So this coming week, our team will step away to rest, pray, spend time with loved ones, and remember that God's work in the world does not depend on our constant activity.

We'll be back in the office on July 6th. Until then, we invite you to practice slowing down in your own life. Our free Slowing Down Guide can help you cultivate a slower pace and peaceful presence when tension rises.

colossianforum.org/slowing-down

Scripture insists on this again and again: God loves the world.Not just the people we agree with. Not just the people wh...
06/22/2026

Scripture insists on this again and again: God loves the world.

Not just the people we agree with. Not just the people who make it easy. Not just the people who seem deserving.

The invitation of Christian discipleship is to learn to see others in light of that love, not reducing them to their worst moment, our deepest frustration, or the story we've come to believe about them.

Who is God inviting you to see differently today?

Buy your digital copy of The Beholding Workbook by visiting the link in the comments.

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