PRACTICE
PEACEMAKING
Transforming relationships and places through commitment and presence
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
– Martin Luther King Jr.
WHY PEACEMAKING?
In a world full on conflict, we need people who make peace happen.
We cannot curse at the darkness and expect it to change—We have to turn on the light and dispel the darkness. “Blessed are the peacemakers” who take action in local and practical ways to resolve conflict and uphold peace—whether between individuals on the block, or between groups engaged in war.
Faithful presence in places and situations of conflict.
We can’t make peace in places we aren’t present. It takes ‘license to operate’ to bring parties together in conversation, circles, or negotiations to create new and better ways or relating. Commitment to specific issues in particular places can create the potential for peacemaking.
GET STARTED
If you care about particular people who are in conflict, then get closer in reasonable ways to listen, learn, and build trust. Pay attention to who is closest to the situation, and the solutions desired by those directly involved.
Consider: How can you get closer to the issues you care about?
“Peace cannot be achieved through violence, it can only be attained through understanding.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
Make sure that every person participating in a conversation or peace process is treated with respect and that their perspective and needs are welcomed. Listen deeply and seek understanding before offering solutions or next steps.
Consider: Who is being heard? Who is being overlooked?
“Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.”
– Simone Weil
Resolving conflict and forming new ways of relating will require collaborative participation from all involved. Peace cannot be imposed, and trust has to be earned. There are no shortcuts in peacemaking, and any solutions or agreements must be sustained going forward.
Consider: How can you practically support repair and the rebuilding of trust?
“Trust takes years to build, seconds to break, and forever to repair.”
– Unknown
Connect with trained mediators, peace circle keepers, social workers, community leaders, faith leaders, and other types of experts who can provide insight and guidance to your personal or community situation. Build a network of support around the people and situation.
Consider: Who else can bring the skillsets and experience needed to help in this situation?
“Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.”
– Proverbs 15:22
WORKSHOPS
PEACEMAKING RESOURCES
The purpose of the Night Walks is to touch and transform lives for Christ to the Glory of God through witnessing, evangelism, and discipleship.
NEIGHBORING RESOURCES
| Image | Title | Type | Author | Summary | Link | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Connected Community | Book | Cormac Russell, John McKnight | Discovering the Health, Wealth, and Power of Neighborhoods | ||
| Neighborhood Project Planner | Document | Community Works | This resource will help you build a team and think through all the elements needed for your project. | ||
| Neighborhood Mapping | Book | John Fuder | How to Make Your Church Invaluable to the Community | ||
| The Art of Neighboring | Book | Jay Pathak, Dave Runyon | Building Genuine Relationships Right Outside Your Door | ||
| Church Forsaken | Book | Jonathan Brooks | Practicing Presence in Neglected Neighborhoods | ||
| Neighborhood Mapping: Appendices | Book | John Fuder | Survey examples and best practices for listening to and learning from your community | ||
| Who Is My Neighbor? | Book | Wayne Gordon | Lessons Learned From a Man Left for Dead | ||
| The New Parish | Book | Tim Soerens, Paul Sparks, Dwight J. Friesen | How Neighborhood Churches Are Transforming Mission, Discipleship and Community | ||
| The Abundant Community | Book | John McKnight, Peter Block | Awakening the Power of Families and Neighborhoods | ||
| The Neighboring Movement | Podcast | The Neighboring Movement | The Neighboring Movement Podcast shares stories, interviews, and resources about the power and importance of neighboring. It is hosted by the staff team at The Neighboring Movement. | ||
| The political power of being a good neighbor | Video | Michael Tubbs, TED | Michael Tubbs is the youngest mayor in American history to represent a city with more than 100,000 people — and his policies are sparking national conversations. | ||
| The Rise, Fall, and Power of Block Parties, Explained | Video | Strong Towns | A block party is more than just a party. Bottom-up actions, like block parties, can transform your community. | ||
| Faith Communities Can Help Build Vibrant Neighborhoods | Article | Strong Towns, Jennifer Griffin | Communities of faith stand in an important position to support vibrant, walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods. And in recent years, some have stepped up to the challenge at a variety of different scales. | ||
| Start With Hello | Book | Shannan Martin | You want more. You want to belong to a community that looks out for each … |
SPOTLIGHTED ORGS
Check out and learn more from these organizations: