Resources

In many ways, our most important work has been to help clarify and define the theology, theory and practice of JustPeace, of a ministry of reconciliation, and help restore the centrality of this calling to the ministry of the church.

Books

• The Spirit & Art of Conflict Transformation – Transforming conflict into a positive rather than a negative force is a spiritual pursuit and needs to be grounded in biblical principles:  love of God, neighbor, and self.  This book is a resource for seminary professors, leaders, ministers, mediators, facilitators, and conflict transformation consultants who want to approach their work in this way.  Written by Tom Porter, Co-Executive Director of JustPeace and published by Upper Room Ministries, 2010.
• The Journey: Forgiveness, Restorative Justice and Reconciliation - This 2011 School of Christian Mission book deals with the theme of how individuals, families, and communities are called to a life long journey of practicing forgiveness, justice and reconciliation in our relational lives. Written by Co-Executive Directors of JustPeace, Stephanie Hixon and Tom Porter.  Published by The Women’s Division of the UMC, 2011.
• Conflict and Communion - JustPeace edited the book Conflict and Communion, Reconciliation and Restorative Justice at Christ’s Table (Nashville:  The Upper Room, 2006).
  
• RoundTable Worship: lays out the practice of roundtable worship and its underlying theological principles as they have arisen in a group North Carolina over the past seven years. By incorporating circle processes into the acts of communion and conversation these participants seek to form in themselves the habits and disciplines necessary for the work of conflict transformation.  Written by William Everett, this book is currently only available as a free .pdf download.

Engage Conflict Well

• Engage Conflict Well: Our major themes are spelled out on a laminated card, which is carried in the pockets of many United Methodists.  These themes have been expanded in a guide, Engage Conflict Well, which has been shared with thousands of United Methodists, and has now been developed into a book, The Spirit & Art of Conflict Transformation

United Methodist Resources:

• Just Resolution and Restorative Justice Principles in the Complaint Procedure of the United Methodist Church: This manual offers guidance regarding Disciplinary complaints.
• Holy Conferencing: A 2005 survey of U.S. conferences by JustPeace revealed that several conferences were seeking to order their life and decision-making processes in ways marked by holy conferencing.  JustPeace continues to be available as a resource to conferences, the Council of Bishops, and the Church as we confer about our faith and life together.  JustPeace is working to complete a Conferencing Tool Kit to assist United Methodists in their preparing for and engaging in holy conferencing.

Articles

We periodically post articles on our website that we feel contribute to the culture of JustPeace.   Some of the articles have been written by staff and JustPeace board members, but many we find in other publications and want to share with you.   We have arranged them in the following categories.   To find out about new articles when we post them, please sign up for our e-newsletter, Pathways to JustPeace, or our RSS feed:

• Conflict Transformation
• Forgiveness
• Non-violence
• Peacemaking
• Reconciliation
• Restorative Justice

Links

• Click here for a long list of other organizations doing similar work.   If you would like to recommend more, please email:  info(at)justpeaceumc.org