If you’ve ever witnessed a public confrontation, you may have felt a jolt, followed by the internal question: “Should I do something?” Or perhaps you’ve heard about something your congregation was showing up for and thought, “There might be trouble.”
Though situations like these can be tense, uncomfortable and stressful, we can think through our actions ahead of time—and our faith can guide our response.
In June, a small group of ELCA leaders participated in an active bystander intervention training in Washington, D.C., led by the organization DC Peace Team. One approach highlighted was the CLARA (Center, Listen, Affirm, Respond and Add) Method. Such a strategy may seem simple but can be important to practice in a tense situation.
During the training, participants acknowledged that when confronted with an unexpected verbal or physical altercation, fight-or-flight mode can kick in. This makes taking the time to pause and center all the more important.
Simply asking questions can also calm a situation. Questions such as “Are you OK?,” “Can I help you?” and “How can we work together?” can force a person to stop and think, even if they aren’t inclined to. Such techniques can open one up to listening and communicate that all parties involved are seen and heard as people made in the image of God.
Spatial choices, such as moving marginally closer to the individuals in conflict, can also make a difference. The presence of more people can de-escalate harm. And the presence of identifiable clergy can be meaningful in these moments.
There’s no singular way to be an active bystander—every person will decide for themself what to say or do when they see a confrontation occurring.
But gaining and practicing a foundation of skills to address these situations can inform our decision-making. Conflict de-escalation planning may be necessary when our churches participate in certain actions.
Monitor ELCA advocacy training opportunities or consider seeking out active bystander training, including online and in-person events offered by the DC Peace Team.
