by Ken Sande, President of Peacemaker Ministries. On the one-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Ken writes a challenging article on the danger of waiting to seek reconciliation with a loved one.
by Ken Sande, President of Peacemaker Ministries. In this article, Ken introduces the basic principles of biblical peacemaking through the story of a real-life conflict between two teachers.
by Ken Sande, President of Peacemaker Ministries. Every year hundreds of churches and ministries are thrown into turmoil when someone criticizes or raises serious questions about the conduct of a pastor or ministry executive. In this article, Ken Sande discusses the best way to provide church leaders with loving accountability.
by Ken Sande, President of Peacemaker Ministries. This article challenges us to ask people we trust to tell us the truth about ourselves—to help us grow to be more like Christ.
by Ken Sande, President of Peacemaker Ministries. This article contains two sample letters, one to a friend and one to a co-worker. These letters invite others you trust to give an honest assessment of yourself. (This article supports the Asking for Correction article.)
by Ken Sande, President of Peacemaker Ministries. As we interact with other people, we must constantly make judgments about their words and actions so that we can respond to them appropriately. But the Bible warns that we are prone to look for the worst in people at times, and we judge them more critically than they deserve. In this article, Ken Sande provides practical ways to guard against this tendency and to follow Jesus' example of making accurate and charitable judgments about others.
by Gary D. Friesen. This article is a parable about conflict, communicating how the turning point in conflict usually comes when individuals take responsibility for their own actions through repentance, confession and forgiveness.
by David V. Edling, Senior Ministry Consultant, Peacemaker Ministries. How does a church follow the biblical admonition to be in the world but not of it? One way to address the culture within the church is to be intentional about how it prepares for and handles conflict.
by Ken Sande, President of Peacemaker Ministries. When faced with the conflicts and struggles of life, we are faced with a choice, just as the Apostle Paul was. Will we curse those struggles or consecrate them?
by Ken Sande, President of Peacemaker Ministries. This article not only discusses the relevance and importance of Scripture memory, but also gives a practical plan for incorporating it into your life.
by Ted Kober. While this article's original purpose was to speak to the root causes of conflict within a specific denomination, it also applies to anyone who wants to see the church—the bride of Christ—healed of unresolved conflict.
by Carolyn McCulley. Based on an interview with Ken Sande, this article gives practical advice for communicating via email in a way that is clear and that prevents conflict.
by Ken Sande, President of Peacemaker Ministries. An article discussing the ways we typically respond to conflict and how we can learn to respond to conflict in a biblical manner.
by Ken Sande, President of Peacemaker Ministries. This article outlines four basic steps that every Christian business or ministry should consider—for their own good and for the good of the Kingdom.
by Dr. Roger R. Nicole, Visiting Professor at Reformed Theological Seminary. This article gives an in-depth look at the universal principles for relating to those who differ from us, helping us understand how to contend earnestly for the faith without being contentious.
by Ken Sande, President of Peacemaker Ministries. When conflicts involve the pastor, the whole church suffers. In this article, Ken Sande looks at the pressure that pastors face and how to prepare and protect them from conflict.
by Dr. Alfred J. Poirier, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Peacemaker Ministries. This article is a thorough critique of a "scientific" view of forgiveness and a discussion of the role of psychological empirical research in Christian counseling.
by Dr. Alfred J. Poirier, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Peacemaker Ministries. This is a helpful discussion of how we, as Christians, should thoughtfully, mercifully, and humbly give and receive criticism.
by Donald L. Bubna, member of Peacemaker Ministries' Board of Directors. This article identifies the divisive spirit that characterizes many churches today, and then shows how a church can change to become unified for the glory of God.
by Ken Sande, President of Peacemaker Ministries. This article discusses five myths that people in the midst of divorce are often fooled into believing.
When one woman remembered that she was accountable to God, it changed her perspective on her husband and her marriage. Through faithful obedience, she experienced a whole new level of intimacy with God and with her husband. We love to receive letters like this one!
For some of us, it can be extremely difficult to confront--it is much easier to ignore a conflict and hope it will go away. In this story, even though Janet hated confrontation, she knew that she could not remain silent when a Christian co-worker's behavior became increasingly destructive. While it wasn't easy, Janet learned that loving confrontation can be good for everyone involved.
When a marriage has been fractured by adultery, a husband and wife ask, "Is there any hope?" By the grace of God, the answer is, "Yes!" This testimony from a Christian conciliator shows the healing power of biblical forgiveness.
Getting fired, especially in a way that seems completely unjust, can feel like the ultimate slap in the face. Retribution is the standard reaction, but this story shows how going a different route—conciliation, humility, confession, and forgiveness—honors God and often brings about true peace.
by Ken Sande, President of Peacemaker Ministries. In our litigious society, we often hear the cry that, "My rights have been infringed!" In this story, when a man forgives his boss for hurting him, he discovers that there is something far more valuable than asserting legal rights.
Many of the other True Stories depict an occasion where confession, forgiveness, and reconciliation all take place in a short time. Of course, this is not always the case--sometimes the reconciliation process can take months or even years. This True Story is a dialogue between two women whose close friendship is severely tested by painful conflict. They remind us that persevering through the hard work of reconciliation is most definitely worthwhile.
by Heather Smith. The belittling remark from the pulpit cut Heather deeply -- even more so since the pastor was also her husband! What is the appropriate way to handle this very public conflict?
Our closest relationships are often the most emotionally painful and challenging to reconcile. But with the help of the concepts in The Peacemaker, a woman is compelled to seek reconciliation with her mother after years of heartache, and writes about her experience in this letter.
What do you do when a group of people is criticizing an individual who is not present? This brief testimony shows how a bit of boldness, Scripture, and the Holy Spirit can move people back in the right direction.
When we are hurt or mistreated, our first reaction is often to strike back—with angry words, hateful actions, or even a lawsuit. In short, we respond just like non-Christians. In this story, against his instincts, an employee first takes the time to consider God's interests and look at his own contribution to a conflict before confronting others.
by Ken Sande, President of Peacemaker Ministries. At first, Ken was embarrassed by the confession his pastor gave from the pulpit in church. But later, he saw just how much the Lord can use such a simple, yet genuine, display of humility.
How often in our churches do we get into conflict while trying to "do" ministry? Our underlying goals may be good, but we still needlessly fight with one another. What a witness for Christ! In this story, doctrinal differences nearly divide a Sunday school committee until they learn a biblical way to negotiate and work together.
You don't have to be a pastor, counselor or lawyer to guide others through a conflict. Here's an account of how one layperson successfully applied the knowledge he learned through peacemaker training.
by Marilyn Fargo. The turtles are missing! Who's responsible? In this letter, a public school teacher shares her experience of the value of teaching The Young Peacemaker in the classroom.
