Bio: The Rev. Dr. Leah D. Schade is the Associate Professor of Preaching and Worship at Lexington Theological Seminary in Lexington, Kentucky. An ordained Lutheran minister (ELCA) for more than twenty years, Leah has pastored three Pennsylvania congregations in suburban, urban, and rural contexts. She is the author or co-editor of six books, notably, Preaching in the Purple Zone: Ministry in the Red-Blue Divide (Rowman & Littlefield, 2019), explores how clergy and congregations can address controversial issues using nonpartisan, biblically-centered approaches and deliberative dialogue.  

• Finding the Purple Zone: How Deliberative Dialogue Can Help Build Bridges Across the Divide

• Deliberative Dialogue Forum: The Church’s Role in a Divided Society

• Planning and Implementing the Sermon-Dialogue-Sermon Process in Your Congregation (not just a conversation for preachers)

• How to Facilitate a Deliberative Dialogue

Deliberative dialogue is a form of civil discourse that allows participants from diverse backgrounds to listen deeply about a community issue that matters to them, respectfully discuss the pros and cons of different approaches to the issue, identify shared values, and suggest next steps for moving forward. Rev. Dr. Leah Schade will offer tips and strategies for both pastors and church leaders to effectively moderate a deliberative dialogue forum in their congregation and/or community. These skills are useful and applicable for facilitating discussions in council/sessions/board meetings, small groups, Bible studies, youth groups, and community forums.

You are going to want to bring a TEAM of folks from your congregation – start recruiting now!