Posts in the ‘Pathways Blog’ Category

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.

JustPeace was born out of a yearning for life-giving ways of engaging conflict and a hope for conflict transformed. The needs in our world continue and we respond with confidence through the one who said, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God.”

Conflict actually provides the opportunity for us to communicate, to discuss differences and similarities, to really listen to and hear each other, and to forge solutions which meet the needs of the congregation without harming each other and which actually lead to healing and reconciliation.

In story after story, we have heard faith journeys from people who are not looking for headlines but who are working in humble places. They live a vibrant witness of faith.

Groups require healthy conflict to grow and mature over time. Any group that cannot engage in constructive and healthy conflict is doomed to stagnation or implosion when unhealthy conflict takes over.

Those who look back at me from beyond human made barriers of separation are very much like someone I know well. They are very much like me.

On this 2nd Anniversary of the international launching of The Charter for Compassion, it is exciting to report that in June, the Desert Southwest Conference of the United Methodist Church passed Commitment to Kindness – Living an Ethic of Reciprocity, Resolution.