Category Archives: HOPE in the midst of conflict

Two Elements of Redeeming Church Conflict: Intentionality and Contentment

Posted on November 15, 2018 by David V. Edling

Q. How can I maintain an “eternal perspective” given the harsh realities of this church conflict? A. It is one thing to give mental assent to the concept of living from an “eternal perspective,” and quite another to actually fit … Continue reading →

Posted in Authentic Relationships in the Church, Biblical peacemaking in the church, HOPE in the midst of conflict | Leave a comment

Are Your Church Relationships Otiose? (Vain. Ineffective. Of no use.)

Posted on April 18, 2018 by Dave Edling & Tara Barthel

Q. How can church-going Christians truly build the “ties that bind” and cultivate “the unity of the Spirit through the bonds of peace?” through intimate, safe, authentic relationships that will persevere through conflict? A. “Where a people prays, there is … Continue reading →

Posted in Authentic Relationships in the Church, Biblical peacemaking in the church, Disappointment in the church, HOPE in the midst of conflict | Comments Off on Are Your Church Relationships Otiose? (Vain. Ineffective. Of no use.)

“Hope permeates each chapter …”

Posted on May 30, 2017 by Tara Barthel

Thanks for your patience re: our delayed postings as Dave and I are currently a little too busy actually serving churches to blog about it … To tide you over, our gratitude goes out to Christianity Today’s Leadership Journal for … Continue reading →

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Battered Pastors with Weary Souls

Posted on May 20, 2017 by Tara Barthel

Rev. Dr. Alfred Poirier’s doctoral dissertation at Westminster Seminary was overseen by Rev. Dr. David Powlison and published by Baker as The Peacemaking Pastor. In it, Pastor Poirier speaks candidly about his exhaustion and frustration related to ongoing struggles with conflict … Continue reading →

Posted in Conflicts involving church leaders, Conflicts with our youth pastor, HOPE in the midst of conflict, RedeemingLINKS | Leave a comment

What do pastors in conflicted churches need the most?

Posted on May 15, 2017 by David V. Edling

Q. When pastors in conflicted churches call you, what do they need the most? Is there a certain piece of advice or Scripture passage that you always end up giving them? A. A pastor tensely (and loudly) said, “You just don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical peacemaking in the church, HOPE in the midst of conflict | 2 Comments

When Change Seems Unlikely in Church Conflicts

Posted on May 10, 2017 by David V. Edling

Tara has suggested to me that we present a short series of stories of hope—positive experiences we have had when working with churches in conflict. The aim of such a series, of course, would be to reveal God’s faithfulness to … Continue reading →

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Church conflict often robs us of an accurate, hopeful, God-centered perspective.

Posted on March 15, 2017 by Tara Barthel

(One of my favorite parts of Redeeming Church Conflicts is our introduction to Section 1: Perspective. I have heard and seen Dave minister this message to so many people over the years–especially pastors who were tempted to despair over conflicts in … Continue reading →

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The Acts 15 Model for Redeeming Church Conflict as a Model of Progressive Continuity Consistent with All of Scripture

Posted on February 25, 2017 by David V. Edling

Q. Why did you choose Acts 15 as the model for Redeeming Church Conflicts: Turning Crisis into Compassion and Care? A. Acts 15 records the first major conflict in a New Testament church and provides a fairly detailed account of … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical peacemaking in the church, Causes of Church Conflict, Disappointment in the church, Excerpts from "Redeeming Church Conflicts", HOPE in the midst of conflict | Leave a comment

Easter Sunday: Never Again Need There Be A Conflict Beyond the Power of Redemption

Posted on January 4, 2017 by David V. Edling

Q. In last week’s post you refer to the Acts 15 model for redeeming church conflicts as one consistent with all of Scripture. The four elements you outline—Perspective, Discernment, Leadership, and Biblical Response—are spoken of as a “progressive continuity” that … Continue reading →

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Redeeming Church Conflict is Not an Event—But an Unfolding Process of God’s Grace

Posted on December 15, 2016 by Dave Edling & Tara Barthel

In just a few days, we will be gathering in Denver with peacemakers from around the world to study, pray, and fellowship together at the 2012 Peacemaker Conference. This will be the first time we have co-taught together since Redeeming Church … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical peacemaking in the church, Conflicts involving church leaders, Conflicts with our youth pastor, HOPE in the midst of conflict | Comments Off on Redeeming Church Conflict is Not an Event—But an Unfolding Process of God’s Grace