George W. Bullard, Every Congregation Needs a Little Conflict (TCP Leadership Series). Chalice Press, 2008. Referenced in: Managing and Resolving Church Conflict LifeandLeadership.com Summary Anything produced by The Columbia Partnership is worth reading, especially any book written by George Bullard, who always conveys a rich understanding of the realities of congregational life. In this book,
Lewis B. Smedes, Forgive and Forget: Healing the Hurts We Don’t Deserve. HarperOne, 1996. Also The Art of Forgiving: When You Need to Forgive But Don’t Know How. Ballantine Books, 1997. Referenced in: Church Conflict – Communication, Healthy Behavior, Forgiveness LifeandLeadership.com Summary Many resources on forgiveness set forth an ethic that seems unrealistic, almost Herculean.
Robert Jeffress, When Forgiveness Doesn’t Make Sense. Waterbrook Press, 2008. Referenced in: Church Conflict – Communication, Healthy Behavior, Forgiveness LifeandLeadership.com Summary A theologically rich and pastorally sensitive approach to the subject of forgiveness. It is one of the most highly recommended recent books on the subject. From the Publisher When Forgiveness Doesn’t Make Sense effectively
David Augsburger, Caring Enough to Forgive, Caring Enough Not to Forgive; True Forgiveness, False Forgiveness. Regal Books, 1981. Referenced in: Church Conflict – Communication, Healthy Behavior, Forgiveness LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is actually two books in one. Both are written by best-selling author, David Augsburger, Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling at Fuller Theological Seminary. The
Phyllis Beck Kritek, Negotiating at an Uneven Table: Developing Moral Courage in Resolving Our Conflicts, Second Edition. Jossey-Bass, 2002. Referenced in: Criticism, Difficult People and Conversations Leading in Subordinate Roles Ministry Staff and Leadership Teams LifeandLeadership.com Summary Written out the context of training nurses to deal with physicians and health care management, this book explores
Katherine Crowley and Kathie Elster, Working for You Isn’t Working for Me: The Ultimate Guide for Managing Your Boss. Portfolio Trade, 2010. Referenced in: Criticism, Difficult People and Conversations Leading in Subordinate Roles Ministry Staff and Leadership Teams LifeandLeadership.com Summary Not all church leaders will find themselves in the difficult relationships typical of the private
Geoffrey M. Bellman, Getting Things Done When You’re Not in Charge, 2nd edition. Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2001. Referenced in: Criticism, Difficult People and Conversations Leading in Subordinate Roles Ministry Staff and Leadership Teams LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is one of the most practical, common sense books you will find on how to initiate change from a subordinate
Ruth N. Koch and Kenneth C. Haugk, Speaking the Truth in Love: How to be an Assertive Christian. Stephen Ministries, 1992. Referenced in: Church Conflict – Criticism, Difficult People, Difficult Conversations LifeandLeadership.com Summary I have used this in classes as an excellent base-leve “how-to” guide on assertion. The authors define the difference between passive, aggressive,
Randy J. Paterson, Ph.D., The Assertiveness Workbook: How to Express Your Ideas and Stand Up for Yourself at Work and in Relationships. New Harbinger Publications, 2000. Referenced in: Church Conflict – Criticism, Difficult People, Difficult Relationships LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is an excellent workbook. It is just that, a workbook, and not something one should simply
Henry Cloud and John Townsend, How to Have That Difficult Conversation You’ve Been Avoiding: With Your Spouse, Adult Child, Boss, Coworker, Best Friend, Parent, or Someone You’re Dating. Zondervan, 2005. Referenced in: Church Conflict – Criticism, Difficult People, Difficult Conversations LifeandLeadership.com Summary From the authors of the million-copy bestseller, Boundaries. This is a very sensitive,
