Francis Schaeffer, The Mark of the Christian, one of several essays in The Complete Works of Francis A. Schaeffer: A Christian Worldview, vol. 4. Crossway Books, 1982. Referenced in: Church Conflict – Communication, Healthy Behavior, Forgiveness LifeandLeadership.com Summary Tucked away in Volume 4 of this work is the essay, “The Mark of the Christian,” a
Jack R. Reese, The Body Broken: Embracing the Peace of Christ in a Fragmented Church. Leafwood Publishers, 2005. Referenced in: Church Conflict – Communication, Healthy Behavior, and Forgiveness LifeandLeadership.com Summary A complete development of the biblical theme of unity. Dr. Reese’s thesis: Christians ought to be able to talk to one another. A hallmark of
Roger Phelps, More Light, Less Heat: How Dialogue Can Transform Christian Conflicts into Growth. Jossey-Bass, 1999. Referenced in: Church Conflict – Communication, Healthy Behavior, Forgiveness LifeandLeadership.com Summary The title conveys the idea quite well, that instead of the “heat” of inflamed arguments, the church should pursue intentional ways of bringing people together for reasonable dialogue.
Gilbert Rendle, Behavioral Covenants in Congregations: A Handbook for Honoring Differences. Alban Institute, 1999. Referenced in: Church Conflict – Communication, Healthy Behavior, Forgiveness LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is an excellent volume that I recommend to every church that wants to keep destructive conflict from re-occurring or to prevent it from ever happening. Rendle argues that we
Denise W. Goodman, Congregational Fitness: Healthy Practices for Layfolk. Alban Institue, 2000. Referenced in: Church Conflict – Communication, Healthy Behavior, Forgiveness LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is an excellent work from the Alban Institute, especially as it relates to conflict prevention and ongoing management. Goodman explores why congregations are prone to conflict and describes healthy habits members
Margaret J. Wheately, Turning to One Another: Simple Conversations to Restore Hope and Future. Expanded Second Edition Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2009. Referenced in: Church Conflict – Communication, Healthy Behavior, Forgiveness Church Leadership Strategies – Large Group, Whole Systems LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is an interesting book that was partly encouraged by 9/11 and the growing forms of
Susan Beekman and Jeanne Holmes, Battles, Hassles, Tantrums and Tears. Hearst Books, 2001. Referenced in: Church Conflict Education, Standard Textbooks LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is a practical text full of examples and practice sessions. It is addressed to family issues, but applicable to any context. It equips readers to handle conflicts creatively, according to one’s unique
Scott Stanley, Daniel Trathen, Savanna McCain, Milt Bryan, A Lasting Promise: A Christian Guide to Fighting For Your Marriage. Jossey-Bass, 1998. Referenced in: Church Conflict – Communication, Healthy Behavior, Forgiveness LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is an outstanding book of time-tested skills for any couple from the newly engaged to long-time marrieds who want to resolve conflicts.
Ken Sande, The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict, 3nd edition. Baker Books, 2004. Referenced in: Conflict Education, Biblical Visions of Peacemaking/Reconciliation Church Conflict – Communication, Healthy Behavior, Forgiveness LifeandLeadership.com Summary For many years, Peacemaker Ministries. was the most prolific organization promoting biblical peacemaking. Many of their best insights and resources have now
Joyce Hocker and William H. Wilmot, Interpersonal Conflict. Ninth Edition. McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages, 2013. Referenced in: Church Conflict Education, Standard Textbooks LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is the proven academic standard on interpersonal conflict, now in its ninth edition. Hocker and Wilmot discuss distinguishing between destructive and constructive conflicts, clarifying interests and goals, assessing power currencies and
