The purposes of a man's heart
are deep waters,
but a man of understanding draws
them out.
Proverbs 20:5

Let the peace of Christ rule in
your hearts,
since as members of one body,
you have been called to peace.
Col. 3:15

Last week I participated in a Mediation Practicum from PeaceMakers International. It began as a self-study course which consisted of reading two books, working through a manual and listening to 8 tapes. The books were a joy to read. I had already read Peacemakers by Ken Sande, a book describing and prescribing biblical reconciliation. I wish I could have read the second book when I was 25 - maybe I would have made fewer mistakes along the way. I consider it a life-changing book. All my kids are getting a copy for Christmas. The book is called Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands: People Needing Change Helping People Needing Change by Paul Tripp. This book affirmed some of the things I began thinking about a year ago this month when I attended Larry Crabb's School of Spiritual Direction i.e., Christians need to have meaningful connections with other Christians - they need safe places to be. Two other good books for you to consider are Larry Crabb's The Safest Place on Earth: Where People Connect and Are Changed Forever and Connections: Healing for Ourselves and Our Relationships. I'll blog about the research on connection next time.

The practicum was all hands-on-work: role playing exercises for two days. Every 8 people had a mentor. We sat at tables of four so each mentor assisted two tables. The mentors were amazing! They were in one sense also theologians – though they had many different occupations. The mentors came from all walks of life: counselors, lawyers, ministers, teachers, etc. My mentor was a career reserve military officer and lawyer. These mentors were skilled mediators and had about 1500 scriptures in their heads which they could apply to peace making situations at a moment’s notice.

After one day of working with us, the mentors knew pretty well who to hand what role to whom to play the next day. In the morning session I was one of the persons who needed help with reconciliation. In the afternoon I was the mediator. We had to come to the practicum in role – couldn’t even break from our roles during break. My morning role play fit me to a T. I didn’t have to role play. I was myself. (Of course, I know that in any role play, we become ourselves anyway – but all I did was change the name on my name tag.)

Peacemakers International uses the biblical method for reconciliation/peacemaking. If a person is in the wrong, scripture is used with that person to point out their idols, those things in a person’s life that a person (most often unknowingly) uses as substitutions for God – the things that are hindering their relationship with God and neighbor. These idols are pointed out privately in caucus. Caucuses are called when needed. I am totally impressed with this method of helping people find peace with God and their neighbor. I had a few "aha" moments myself during role plays. God's word is like a two edged sword and is useful for rebuking and correcting and training (Heb. 4:12; 2 Tim 3:16) even when we are playing a role.

After the practicum I attended the Peacemaker International Conference and enrolled in the Cross-Cultural track. There were four sessions a day for two days and much of this track was on missions and reconciliation. As a missionary care worker I think it is vital that our mission teams/missionary families be trained in peacemaking skills before they leave for the mission field. Conflict with other missionaries on the field is a major concern. Lesley Moore (ACU Master's Thesis) found that the number one problem for Church of Christ missionaries on the field was other missionaries. A study by Ed Matthews, ACU Bible and Missions professor, encompassed 42 teams from Churches of Christ on four continents. Sadly 55 percent of Ed’s respondents reported that conflict resolution was either omitted or ineffective in their team formation training. Ninety three percent of his respondents stated that interpersonal relations was (or would have been) the most helpful thing in their mission preparation.

Cross cultural peace making is the latest area added to Peacemaker International's offerings. This ministry is already heavily involved in personal, church, and marriage reconciliation. If you get a chance to attend any of these sessions please do so. Peace making workshops are being offered around the world and you missionaries out there could be very helpful to this organization by helping them understand how to use the biblical methods of peace making in your adopted culture. They are looking for help. If nothing else, order the books I mentioned. You will find them very helpful.

Stay involved in the word and with the Word. Keep on keeping on, dear ones.
Peace and...

Love's prayers,

Dottie