This past Sunday, April 24th, I began a new sermon series entitled “The Bond of Peace.” I’ve prayerfully put this sermon series together to help us begin to implement Recommendation #7 of the VitalChurch Ministry Report: “Learn Biblical Conflict Resolution Skills and Practices.” Several people have already asked me for additional resources about this topic for their own self-study. So here are my recommended resources for developing your own Biblical Conflict Resolution skills and practices.
Resolving Everyday Conflict by Ken Sande is short and easy-to-read. I highly recommend it for everyone. It’s available as a paperback from Christian Book Distributors (best price) or other book suppliers. It also has a companion DVD study for small groups can study through that is excellent.
If You Bite & Devour One Another (the title is drawn from Galatians 5:15) by Alexander Strauch is a slightly-longer read that gives lots of practical, biblical principles for dealing with conflict. It’s an excellent resource to use for both self-study and small group study. It’s available as a paperback from Christian Book Distributors (best price) or other book suppliers.
The Peacemaker by Ken Sande is probably my top recommendation of all books on the subject of Biblical Conflict Resolution. It’s a longer read because it goes into much further detail about the biblical principles and practices of resolving conflict. It’s available as a paperback from Christian Book Distributors (best price) or other book suppliers.There is also a version for teens available: The Peacemaker – Student Edition.
Resolving Conflict by Lou Priolo is also a longer, more detailed book that gives excellent, practical instruction on the skills and practices of biblical conflict resolution. It’s available as a paperback at the cheapest price right now from Amazon.
Making Peace: A Guide to Overcoming Church Conflict by Jim Van Yperen is a highly recommended resource by VitalChurch Ministry. It’s available from Christian Book Distributors (best price) or other book suppliers. Van Yperen also has an online video training called Engaging Conflict Redemptively that allows you to work through twelve videos along with worksheets and a personal assessment.
Firestorm: Preventing and Overcoming Church Conflicts by Ron Susek describes how conflict can damage and cripple a church’s ministry and witness. He then gives solid biblical instruction in how to respond to conflict and contain the damage. It’s a sobering book that every church and ministry leader should read. It’s available Christian Book Distributors (best price) or other book suppliers.
Have you read any other books about biblical conflict resolution that you’d recommend? Please let me know!
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