Author Archive

“Amidst increasing security issues in several African countries plagued by violence, political turmoil, religious intolerance and lack of democratic governance, churches are called to engage in peace-building”

Circuit Rider: “We celebrate our diversity as a unique gift from God to serve people in an ever more diverse world and at the same time we struggle with the fact that it hurts our longing for harmony when we are divided in our understanding of the Bible.”

Christianity Today: Chris Smith tells the story about how the practice of dialogue and conversation transformed his urban congregation, and as a result, transformed their broader community.

UMNS: We all look at the world from our own unique perspective, and I have been truly blessed to be surrounded by others who have opened up and shared their lives with me

On Being: In our conversation (with John Paul Lederach) in “The Art of Peace” he calls his work “conflict transformation” rather than the more commonly used term of “conflict resolution.” Across three decades, in over 25 countries on five continents, he has sought to help people transform their relationships with their enemies.”

This week, at the Pre-General Conference News Briefing, Stephanie Hixon of JustPeace will be participating in a panel discussion entitled, “Holy Conversation About Challenging Issues”

King explains that while he opposes violent tension, he believes there is “a type of constructive, nonviolent tension… the need for nonviolent gadflies to create the kind of tension in society that will help men rise from the dark depths of prejudice and racism to the majestic heights of understanding and brotherhood.

The General Board of Discipleship (GBOD) of the United Methodist Church has put together a great list of worship resources for Martin Luther King Day.

(From UMR) William McElvaney – “Peacemakers are blessed because peacemaking at its best is theologically faithful to the core beliefs of all our religious traditions.”

For her work in peace-building and championing women’s rights in Liberia—and in turn, inspiring women around the world—Liberian president and Nobel Peace Prize-winner Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is the Reporter’s 2011 United Methodist of the Year.